( 2 44) 



tors three years ago, namely, that of systematically inves- 

 tigating the floras of definite regions. Dr. Britton has con- 

 ducted two explorations in Jamaica, on one of which he was 

 accompanied by Mrs. Britton and Dr. Hollick. 



Mr. Williams has visited a little known part of the State 

 of Panama. 



Dr. Murrill devoted a number of weeks to the study and 

 collection of fungi in North Carolina. 



Although not conducted under the auspices of theGarden, 

 an exploration of the Mexican rubber forests by myself has 

 proved of considerable interest to us. 



The additions to our collections and library have been 

 extensive and important and are discussed in detail in 

 separate reports by the heads of the respective departments. 

 The same is also true of the research work conducted in our 

 laboratories, the spring and fall lecture courses, and the 

 lectures to school children. 



My predecessor, in his report for 1904, called attention 

 to the need of increased endowment for the maintenance of 

 our scientific work, and special instances of this need have 

 from time to time been set forth in succeeding reports. I 

 venture to direct your attention to the fact that this need 

 will necessarily become more urgent with each succeed- 

 ing year. While the demands for construction work are 

 heaviest in the earlier years of such an institution, the 

 reverse is true of those for maintenance. A steady increase 

 in the number of living plants, and in the intensity of cul- 

 tivation, is an essential feature of the development of a 

 botanical garden. Not only does the cost of maintenance 

 increase proportionally therewith, but in many instances the 

 care increases with the growth of the plants already under 

 cultivation. At no time in the Garden's history has its 

 scientific staff received a compensation in conformity with 

 either their services or with that paid in simila: 

 elsewhere, and a policy of over-work and under-pay c 

 possibly conduce to the welfare of any institution tfc 

 cess of which depends so directly upon the services 



