NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
529 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
FIRST REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BOTANY 
The first work of this Committee was to make a census of competent in- 
vestigators and of the problems imder way. Botanists were also asked to 
suggest additional problems bearing upon public weKare, and numerous 
suggestions were received. In the main these are long-time problems, very- 
important to continue, but not expected to yield immediate practical results. 
When the United States entered the war, a large number of emergency 
problems arose. The larger number of these had to do with the available 
sources of plant materials and products. Many of them were questions 
asking for information, rather than problems needing investigation. Dr. 
E. M. East, a member of the Committee, was asked to take charge of this 
phase of the work. Finally it seemed best to establish a Special Committee 
on Raw Products, with Dr. East as Chairman, which is in close co-operation 
with the Committee on Botany. The Commercial Museum of Philadelphia, 
with its unusual facilities as a source of information in reference to raw prod- 
ucts, is also working in co-operation with this Special Committee. 
The number and nature of the questions in reference to forest materials 
and products soon made it evident that this group of problems should be 
provided for in a special way, and accordingly Prof. Irving W. Bailey of the 
Bussey Institution was asked to take charge of this phase of the work. These 
problems involve such an overlapping of Botany and Forestry, and many of 
them are of such practical importance that it has been recommended that a 
Sub-Committee on Forestry be organized, which shall bring into close co-opera- 
tion the Forestry Service and the Committee on Botany. 
Problems Undertaken. — Among the emergency problems under way, the 
following have progressed far enough to be encouraging. 
1. Dehydration of vegetables. A method to preserve flavor. 
2. Dehydration of fruits. A method being developed chiefly in the 
western fruit area as a measure of conservation. 
3. Sources of rubber. A problem well toward solution. 
4. Improvement of sugar beets. A breeding problem undertaken by several 
investigators and well advanced. 
5. Disease-resistant cereals. A long-time problem but advanced far enough 
to expect that some disease-resistant strains will soon be available. 
6. Drought-resistant cereals, especially com and sorghum. 
7. Native drug plants. Information in reference to native plants from 
which needed drugs may be obtained is in charge of Dr. Henry Kraemer of 
the Philadelphia CoUege of Pharmacy. A great many medicinal plants 
have been suggested, but comparatively few have been tested. 
8. A substitute for cotton in the manufacture of explosives. It is neces- 
sary for this substitute to consist of nearly pure cellulose, and to be easily 
obtainable in vast quantities. 
