INTERNATIONAL GARDEN CLUB 127 



portunity is here afforded for lovers of plants and their fellow- 

 men to render a valuable public service by making possible the 

 installation of numerous collections such as that of the lilacs. 



The distinguishing feature of the conservatories is the col- 

 lection of tropical and sub-tropical economic plants. This is 

 not only of great popular interest, but is specially appreciated 

 by teachers of nature study and of geography in the public and 

 private schools of the city. Here the pupils may see growing, 

 and fruiting at the proper season, such plants as banana, orange, 

 lemon, kumquat, citron, tea, coffee, fig, sugar cane, avocado 

 (the so-called "alligator pear"), guava, sisal, Manila hemp, 

 vanilla, cocoanut, chocolate tree, Para rubber plant, and nu- 

 merous others that could never have been seen except by 

 extensive travel, were it not for such a collection as this. 



One can only mention here the herbarium and library, open 

 free daily to the public, and the research work in pure and ap- 

 plied botany for which ample provision has been made in lab- 

 oratories and private research rooms. 



The Botanic Garden Leaflets, issued at weekly and bi-weekly 

 intervals from April to October, inclusive, give popular informa- 

 tion about plant life, and points to be seen to best advantage 

 in the Botanic Garden near the date of issue. Current numbers 

 of these Leaflets are at present sent free to all who wish them. 

 The Garden also publishes a quarterly Record (the April num- 

 ber of which contains the annual report of the Garden), a 

 series of scientific Contributions, a series of scientific Memoirs, 

 and the monthly American Journal of Botany, published in co- 

 operation with the Botanical Society of America. 



Among the more popular activities of the Garden is the work 

 with children. Numerous courses of instruction are offered 

 throughout the year, including stereopticon lectures, practical 

 work in the plant houses, and children's gardens. The special 

 feature of the work with children, distinguishing it from that 

 more usual in museums and other educational work supple- 

 mental to regular school classes, is that it emphasizes courses 

 of instruction, as contrasted with isolated or non-related lec- 

 tures. There is doubtless something of value in lecturing to 



