(10 ) 
W. B. Dickerman........cccecsceeeeesee cereeeeneeeees 50.00 
. E. Parsons 50.00 
Miss Grace H. Dodge 25.00 
S. S. Palmer. 25.00 
Miss Eva V. C. Morris 25.00 
Miss Martha Potter............cccceseseeeeeeee seeneeeee 15.00 
Total $1,540.00 
Exchanges of publications with other institutions have been 
largely extended, so that the number of societies, gardens, 
museums and other institutions now sending us their publica- 
tions is about 455. 
he building up of our library has, on the whole, gone 
forward satisfactorily, through the liberal aid which has been 
given by many friends of the Garden. In order to make 
the collection as complete as that of the larger botanical 
libraries of the Old World, it will be necessary to expend 
considerable more money, however, and to so arrange our 
finances as to always be able to secure a rare work when it is 
offered. Some of the older literature is of course practically 
unattainable, and the amount that is becoming beyond our 
reach is increasing from year to year. We should certainly 
aim to make the library as complete as possible in pure 
botany, and in its related sciences of horticulture, agriculture, 
forestry, and such portions of general biology as apply to 
plants, and I believe that no greater service could be ren- 
dered to these subjects in America, than by some provision 
by means of which our library should be perfected. 
The library of the British Museum of Natural History in 
London is probably the most complete collection existing ; 
the method chosen by the trustees of that institution some 
years ago, was to select a responsible firm of bookdealers, 
and give them authority to secure any work not already ob- 
tained, payments for such accessions being made at the con- 
venience of the Museum. This firm has twice offered to act 
for us in the same way, but I have never seen my way clear 
to bring this matter to your attention, on account of the very 
considerable sum which would have to be set aside to meet 
