(474) 
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCIEN- 
TIFIC DIRECTORS 
To THE Boarp oF Manacers oF THE New York Borant- 
cAL GARDEN. 
Sirs: On behalf of the Scientific Directors, I would 
report that in our advisory relations with Dr. Britton we 
have held the usual stated meetings throughout the past 
year. The publications, lecture courses, botanical ex- 
ploration, new construction, school garden, and other 
scientific and educational activities of the Garden have 
been considered and the concrete data as to the work of 
the year are represented in detail in the report of the 
Director-in-Chief. 
Considerable attention has been given to the possibility 
of active contributions by the Garden in the direction of 
the application of botanical science to meeting the present 
food and other war emergencies of the country. It was 
agreed that the efforts of the Garden might best be devoted 
to researches which would have permanent interest and 
significance for increasing crop production. A compre- 
hensive plan for the investigation of the fungous, bacterial, 
and algal flora of the soil was worked out and has been 
submitted to you. 
It is fitting that the many years of active and efficient 
service of the retiring Chairman of the Scientific Directors, 
Dr. H. H. Rusby, should be recognized at this time. On 
behalf of his fellow members in the Board, I wish to express 
their high appreciation of his untiring devotion to the 
interests of science and his stimulating and unfailingly 
courteous leadership and cooperation in the work of the 
Garden. Respectfully submitted, 
R. A. Harper, 
Chairman. 
