65 



Boys, New York City, and greatly beloved both by pupils and 

 faculty. He was also a well-known bryologist, having been 

 Secretary-Treasurer of the Sullivant Moss Society for many 

 years. 



Mr. E. P. Bicknell died on h^cbruary 9. His membership in 

 the Club dated from January 30, 1880, a period of 45 years. 

 During this time he contributed 56 papers to the Bulletin of the 

 Torrey Club and about a half-dozen to Torreya. He took an 

 active interest in the affairs of the New York Botanical Garden, 

 and was for many years connected with its management. Mr. 

 Bicknell was for many years one of the most active members of 

 the Club and his death is recorded with great regret. 



The scientific program of the evening consisted of an illus- 

 trated lecture entitled "Some Points of Interest Concerning 

 Hemlock," by Major Barrington Moore. The importance of 

 the Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) for the tanning industry, for 

 paper pulp, and also for lumber, as well as its aesthetic value 

 were mentioned. The method of seed distribution is interesting, 

 the cones closing in wet weather, and opening in dry. At each 

 dry period a few more seeds drop out, thus spreading the dis- 

 tribution period over the entire winter. Mossy logs and stumps 

 seem favorable seed beds: the ground cover of decaying needles 

 seems unfavorable. Hemlock is very tolerant of shade. It 

 likes moist sites, but grows on rocky ridges which seem dry. 

 Probably they have moisture near the surface. It is rather 

 shallow-rooted. The rate of growth is more rapid than formerly 

 supposed, and compares favorably with oak, but is not nearly 

 so rapid as white pine. As to temperature, its preference is 

 for a comparatively cool average. 



As regards the hemlock grove in the New York Botanical 

 Garden, Major Moore stated that it was of scientific interest 

 because it was the southernmost grove of extensive size near the 

 coast; although, as noted by Dr. Kelly, of Rutgers University, 

 there are trees along the Raritan near the coast. The present 

 lack of reproduction in the New York Botanical Garden grove 

 was discussed. The cause is not known for certain, but may 

 be due to trampling by increasing numbers of visitors or to the 

 absence of mossy logs and stumps. In summarizing the field 

 studies of the Botanical Garden Committee, Major Moore 

 noted the narrow ranges of evaporation and temperature of 



