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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR- 
IN-CHIEF 
(Submitted and accepted January 11, 1897.) 
To THE Boarp oF MANAGERS OF THE NEw York Boran- 
ICAL GARDEN. 
Gentlemen: JI have the honor to submit herewith my report 
as Secretary for the year ending January 11, 1897, and as 
Director since my appointment to that office on July 1, 1896. 
Preparation of Plans. 
The development of the general plan of the grounds and 
of the plans for the buildings has been continuously prose- 
cuted under the direction of the Committee on Plans 
appointed, with power, on June 18, 1895, and of its sub-com- 
mittee, appointed December 6, 1895, assisted by a commis- 
sion of experts, appointed by the Board of Managers on June 
17, 1896, as well as by advice and suggestions given by a 
large number of other experts from time to time. 
The Committee on Plans obtained preliminary designs for 
the main buildings by means of a competition in which nine 
sets of plans were submitted by architects for the Museum 
Building and four sets of plans for the greenhouses. On 
June 17, 1896, the Committee reported to the Board of 
Managers that they had selected the preliminary plans, sub- 
mitted by Mr. R. W. Gibson, for the Museum Building, and 
the preliminary greenhouse plans, submitted by the Lord 
& Burnham Company, and these selections were ratified by 
the Board of Managers, subject to the approval of the Com- 
missioners of Public Parks. 
This action was duly transmitted to the Commissioners of 
Public Parks and the following letter was received in reply: 
Dear Sir: 
Your letter of June 18th, enclosing copy of resolutions passed 
by the Board of Managers of the New York Botanical Garden, 
was submitted to our Board to-day, and I am authorized to inform 
