64 Report of the President 



WOODS AND FORESTRY* 

 Mary C. Dickerson, Curator 



Owing to the service in France of the Associate Curator, 

 Major Barrington Moore, as an officer of engineers, the work 

 so optimistically planned for 1918 on small groups to illustrate 

 forestry conditions and principles has not been carried out. 

 Also, for lack of available funds, a decision regarding the east 

 wall mural, sketches for which have been prepared by Mr. 

 Hobart Nichols, has not been possible. 



Some labels have been inserted where they were lacking, and 

 the work on the construction of exhibition sprays of flowers, 

 fruits, and leaves has progressed with great satis- 

 faction. This work is in the hands of the artist, 

 Mr. Milton D. Copulos. One particularly impressive spray of 

 the large-leaved cucumber tree {Magnolia macro phylla) was 

 constructed in the winter of 1917-18, from a living original of 

 record size from Westchester County, New York, the gift of 

 Mrs. Horde, of New York City. This spray is exhibited in a 

 separate case at the entrance to the forestry hall and has at- 

 tracted much attention. As a whole, it is 43 inches in width, 

 the largest leaf measuring 21 inches, and the flower 9 inches. 



Among other sprays worked on during the year the follow- 

 ing were put on exhibition: black maple {Acer nigrum) ; red 

 ash {Fraxinus Pennsyhanicum) ; black oak {Quercus velu- 

 tina) ; and Arizona sycamore {Platanus Wrightii). 



In connection with this work the cooperation of botanists 

 and foresters was enlisted in supplying the fresh material for 

 the reproductions. Through this professional courtesy in dif- 

 ferent parts of the country, 20 specimens in all were received, 

 from which were selected the handsomest and most typical to 

 serve as models. As a result it will be possible to add eight 

 species to the collection. These include: blue ash {Fraxinus 

 quadrangulata) , from Indiana; western cherry laurel {Prunus 

 ilicifolia), from California; California sycamore {Platanus 



* Under the Department of Woods and Forestry (see also pages 185 and 186). 



