Report of the President 77 



wild crab apple (Pyrus coronaria) ; from Arizona, ash (Praxinus 

 ve/utina), poplar (Populus fremontii) and cholla (Opuntia 

 spinosior); and of local distribution, red gum (Liquidambar 

 styraciflud), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), dwarf sumach 

 (Rhus copallind) and pear haw (Cratcegus tomentosd). Much 

 experimenting has been done along the line of preservation of 

 sprays of pines and other conifers, with the result that some 

 valuable and attractive exhibits of these trees are in progress. 

 The department expresses much gratitude to the New York 

 Botanical Garden for the many courtesies extended in the way 

 of material for this work. 



Among other exhibits for the hall, work is in progress on 

 a relief map to show forest areas of North America, and plans 

 are made for a model to demonstrate the disastrous results of 

 the deforestation of watersheds with the resultant floods and 

 erosion. Also designs are under consideration for a mural 

 painting across the east end of the hall and plans for large 

 colored transparencies for the windows are in hand and the 

 work started. 



Much work has been done in filing and cataloging. The 

 correspondence of the department from 1882 to date has been 

 fully gone over; also the new locations of specimens in the 

 Forestry Hall have been entered in department and reference 

 catalogs. 



As usual much information has been given to teachers, 

 lumber concerns and architects regarding identification of 

 woods. This work is at present in the hands of Herman 

 de Fremery, trained in forestry at Yale and with practical 

 field experience, appointed as temporary assistant in the 

 department in October. 



In addition to the departmental work, the editorship of the 

 American Museum Journal and Guide Leaflets has been carried. 



THE LIBRARY 



Ralph W. Tower, Curator 



Department of Books and Publications. — The Library 

 has had an eventful year. Many valuable and important 

 books have been added to the collection by gift, purchase and 



