62 TORREYA 



and friends were present. The minutes of the preceding meeting were approved 

 as read. 



The scientific program of the evening was presented by Dr. George S. 

 Avery, Jr., "Hormonal Aspects of Plant Life." The speaker's abstract follows : 



The basic discoveries in plant science, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and mineral 

 nutrition, all have to do directly or indirectly with growth. In addition, plants produce 

 minute amounts of organic substances which are important in the regulation of growth. 

 These internally produced growth-regulatory substances are generally referred to as 

 hormones. 



Hormonal aspects of plant growth have been studied 1) in terms of naturally occurring 

 hormones, and 2) from results obtained from applying synthetic hormones in various types 

 of carriers to plant tissue. Tumors and disturbed growth patterns often result from the 

 application of various synthetic hormones. 



A number of new horticultural practices have arisen from the theoretical work of the 

 past ten years on plant hormones : abscission control, dormancy control, rooting of cuttings, 

 seedless fruit production, selective weed killing, etc. 



After much discussion from the audience, the meeting was adjourned at 

 9:10 p.m. for tea. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Frances E. Wynne 

 Recording Secretary 



Minutes of the Meeting of April 18, 1945 



The meeting was called to order by President Seaver at 3 :30 p.m. in the 

 Members Room of The New York Botanical Garden with twenty members 

 and friends present The minutes of the preceding meeting were approved as 

 read. 



The secretary read the following letters : 



I wish to acknowledge your letter of April 5 containing a resolution passed by the 

 Torrey Botanical Club deploring the threat to transform the entire area of the Borough 

 of Island Beach into a public state park and recommending that the Federal Government 

 take this area over and administer it as a National Seashore through the National Park 

 Service. 



There is evidently some grave misunderstanding on the part of the Torrey Botanical 

 Club as to the recommendations and objectives of the Economic Council in proposing that 

 the State of New Jersey acquire the area of Island Beach. 



Obviously, anyone who implies that the ten-mile area is all to become a public play- 

 ground equivalent to five or six "Jones' Beaches" is misrepresenting our recommenda- 

 tion. Such an idea is too ridiculous on its face to require refutation. The resolution 

 of the Economic Council was proposed by former Governor Edison and I am sure he 

 has as great a desire as the Torrey Botanical Club to preserve the natural beauty of 

 Island Beach. The recommendation sponsored by the Economic Council calls for the 

 preservation of Island Beach in its natural state with its development as a State Park in 



