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VOL. XXXIX No. 463 JULY, 1938 PAGES 145— 168 JOURNAL of THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN Published monthly by The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, New York, N. Y. Entered at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., as second- class matter. Annual subscription $ 1.00 Single copies 10 cents Free to members of the Garden JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN CAROL H. WOODWARD, Editor JULY, 1938 IN THE WATERLILY POOL Cover Photographed by Fleda Griffith RESULTS OF RECENT RESEARCH IN THE CONTROL OF PESTS ON TREES E. Porter Felt 145 A PLEA FOR THE AMATEUR Sarah V. Coombs 151 A MOTHER OF ISLANDS H. H. Rusby 154 T H E RECOGNITION OF SOME COMMON NATIVE TREES BY THEIR LEAVES Harold N. Moldenke 156 REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 164 CURRENT LITERATURE AT A GLANCE Carol H. Woodward 166 NOTES, NEWS, AND COMMENT 167 THE LIBRARY'S SERVICES High school and university students, instructors, professors, research workers, specialists in a number of lines besides the growing of plants or teaching of botany, writers requiring specific information, nature students, garden club members, and other gardeners, both amateur and professional — these are the types of people who are making regular use of the library of The New York Botanical Garden. Landscape architects come to consult the many historic volumes as well as the numerous works on the culture of plants. Lawyers attempting to settle cases by means of botanical facts; pharmacists desiring to increase their knowledge of drug plants; engineers and contractors requiring, for instance, to know the weight of a cubic foot of soil; physicians seeking technical details of such toxic plants as poison ivy and species which produce hayfever, are not infrequent visitors in the library. Students and workers preparing for civil service examinations and camp counsellors needing a greater familiarity with plants in the wild spend many hours among the Botanical Garden's books. Desire for the wisdom of herbs, Indian lore, symbolism and history of plants, and flowers of the Bible, brings others to The New York Botanical Garden. Prospective travelers wishing to know what flowers and trees they will see and what gardens they may visit in this and in foreign countries come to the Botanical Garden's library. Representatives of industries which employ plant products get much source material useful to their manufacturing and information which they compile into educational booklets. Textile designers and artists in other fields are often seen poring over illustrations of plant forms. Other librarians come here to learn about the books which are best for botanical and horticultural reference. Addresses and programs of plant societies, garden clubs, and similar organizations are sought— and found— in the library; also information on where rare or unusual plants come from or can be obtained. There is scarcely a profession or a horticultural or botanical interest which can not be served in the library of The New York Botanical Garden. JOURNAL of THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN VOL. XXXIX JULY, 1938 No. 463 Results of Recent Research In the Qontrol of ( PestS On Trees By E. Porter Felt Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, Stamford, Conn. ' T'HE satisfactory control of insect pests depends to a large •*• degree upon an accurate knowledge of the life history and habits of the species under consideration. An important phase, in the case of a number of insects, is the means of distribution or dissemination. It was shown a number of years ago, for example, that although the female gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar, was unable to fly, there was an extensive dissemination by wind carriage of the recently hatched caterpillars, and until this was ascertained there were a number of puzzling situations of vital importance to those attempting to eradicate or control the pest. A somewhat analogous situation exists in relation to the European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus, now believed to be a most important agent in the dissemination of the Dutch elm disease. There is no doubt as to the factors in relation to the spread of the infection in the immediate vicinity of diseased trees, but there has been a question as to whether the beetles could carry the infection a considerable distance. It has been held by some that the beetles' flight was limited and apparently little consideration had been given to the possibilities of wind drift, in spite of the fact that swarms of related species have been known to be carried considerable distances by wind currents. 145 146 In an effort to throw light upon this problem the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories started a balloon release project in 1936, continuing it in 1937. During that period nearly ten thousand tag- bearing . toy balloons inflated with hydrogen to a minimum buoyancy were released at various points within fifty miles of New York City. There were nearly five hundred returns, and a number of drift records of thirty to forty- five miles an hour. They showed a decidedly easterly drift, both northerly and southerly, and relatively little drift directly north or westerly. The northeasterly drift gave fairly abundant returns in an area from Stamford, Conn., the point at which most balloons were released, nearly to Hartford, with a very considerable number landing along the south shore of Connecticut both in 1936 and 1937. This concentration along the south shore agrees very closely with the extension of the Dutch elm disease infected area, the number of diseased trees decreasing with the distance from the presumable center of infection, namely, an area in northern New Jersey. The northeasterly drift in 1937 resulted in one return from Popham Beach, Maine, a drift of 260 miles, several returns from the Cape Cod area, and twelve from well distributed points in Rhode Island. Returns in 1936 showed a distinct southeasterly drift with so many recoveries on the south shore of Long Island as to indicate a considerable drift out to sea. This latter is significant, since it shows that millions of beetles from the earlier badly infected area in New Jersey and southeastern New York must have been lost at sea. This probability is further suggested by the hosts of Japanese beetles in midsummer drift on both New Jersey and Long Island beaches. These latter insects, which are fairly large and metallic green in color, would be readily seen, while the elm bark beetle, which is brown or black, only a tenth of an inch long, would presumably escape notice in the tidal drift. It is believed the prevalence of easterly and southeasterly drift during much of the time when European elm bark beetles are in flight accounts to a considerable extent for the somewhat close limitation of the Dutch elm disease to the southern portion of New York and the coast line of Connecticut. The probabilities are that the spread of the disease will be considerably slower than heretofore because of the systematic destruction of diseased and weakly trees throughout the infected area, thus greatly reducing opportunities for these beetles to multiply. 147 Spruce Trees in Danger The appearance of the European spruce sawfly, Diprion poly-tomum, in widely separated sections of New England in 1935, is another illustration of the influence of wind drift upon the distribution of insects, since it is quite probable that this species drifted in considerable numbers from the Gaspe Peninsula over New England and northern New York. The extensive defoliations of spruce in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont localities in 1937 suggests that this insect may become a serious enemy of the widely planted Norway spruce. The larvae or false caterpillars are light green with five more or less complete white stripes. They are about seven- eighths of an inch long when fully grown and harmonize so closely with the foliage upon which they occur that it is unusually difficult to see the pests. They feed by preference on the old foliage, consequently badly injured trees present a tufted appearance because of the fringe of usually unharmed new needles on the tips of the branches. There are two generations in Maine, the larvae of the first occurring in late May and those of the second in August. There is presumably a third and possibly a fourth generation in southern New England and in southern New York State. This pest probably requires several years to develop a serious infestation locally, much depending upon climatic conditions. Spraying ornamental spruce with arsenate of lead while the larvae are small should give satisfactory control. Saving the Holly The holly leaf miner, Phytotnyca ilicis, seriously disfigures foliage of this beautiful evergreen, and prior to last summer no satisfactory method of control was known. Experiments with nicotine oil combination failed to give a satisfactory kill of the miners within the leaves. Spraying the newly developed foliage with arsenate of lead at the time the flies were abundant resulted in a rather quick kill and entirely satisfactory control. The date for Stamford was May 25, 1937. Arsenate of lead was used at the rate of 5 pounds to 100 gallons of water with a suitable spreader or sticker, such as S. S. S., at the rate of 1 pound to 100 gallons of spray. Equally satisfactory results were secured by outdoor applications to badly infested plants. 148 Difficulties with Dogwood Studies on the dogwood club gall were continued the past season and an unusual situation developed. Two gall midges were reared in almost equal numbers from a large number of galls and neither was identical with the species previously supposed to produce this deformation. Observations in 1936 showed that the yellowish maggots deserted the galls in September or early in October, and in 1936 sixty percent of the galls were empty October 15. The molasses nicotine combination similar to that used for the control of the box leaf miner appeared of some value in shaded localities, though not on dogwoods exposed to full sunlight. This gall producer becomes extremely abundant locally and seemingly displays a marked preference for the pink dogwood. Cutting and burning the galls before mid- September should give reasonably satisfactory control in small or somewhat isolated plantings. Azalea and Pine Borers The azalea stem borer, Oberca myops, hollows the tips of azalea branches and girdles rhododendron stems. The nearly grown grubs are yellowish, less than an inch long and distinctly swollen in the region just behind the head. Two years are required to complete the life cycle. The second summer the grubs work their way down to the roots and the beetles fly at about the time the plants are in bloom. Cutting and burning branches showing wilted or dead leaves is the most satisfactory control. The pitted ambrosia beetle, Corthylus puiictatissimus, produces similar conditions in rhododendron stems, except that the entire stem is affected and the closely placed series of small blackened galleries causes it to break readily at the surface of the ground. The Scotch pine borer, Hylobius radios, the grubs of which work at the base of Scotch pine in particular, is becoming more abundant. Infestation is indicated by a weakened yellowish foliage and stunted growth and at the base of the tree by masses of pitch- impregnated soil overlying the injured areas. It is possible that a considerable degree of protection can be secured by painting a band several inches wide of thick lime sulphur wash at the base of the tree and in addition spreading around the trunk of the tree a small amount of Go West, since this product is attractive to a number of the weevils and is very effective in killing the related black vine weevil, Brachyrhinus suhatus. so injurious to the roots of Taxus. 149 Scale Insects Scale insects continue to attract notice. A new mealy bug, the recently described Pseudococcus cuspidatae, was found somewhat abundant on yew, Taxus citspidata, at Greenwich, Conn. The area of occurrence and the degree of infestation has so far been limited. This mealy bug does not produce the masses of cottony matter hanging in festoons and loaded with eggs so characteristic of Comstock's mealy bug, Pseudococcus comstocki, which also occurs on Taxus. A species of Pulvinaria, believed to be new, has also been found upon Taxus and is reported as likely to become quite serious. Another new scale insect, an undescribed species of Ccrococcus, was found extremely abundant in a laurel planting at Haverford, Pennsylvania. This brown, somewhat star- shaped scale insect is related to the much more common Lecaniums. A somewhat abundant infestation of locust trees by a species of Lccaniodiaspis was also found at Haverford, Penn. The European beech scale, Cryptococcus fagi, has been abundant and injurious on beech at Hartford, Conn., for some years and is known to occur in relatively sparse numbers in several localities in southern Westchester County, New York. This insect produces conditions on beech favorable to invasion by a nectria and the combination is considered responsible for extensive killing of beech during recent years in Nova Scotia and parts of Maine. Fortunately, this deadly alliance has not, to our knowledge, become established farther south. Forcible spraying in midsummer with nicotine at the usual strength with two percent of a white or summer oil to serve as a spreader appears to give reasonably satisfactory control of the scale insect. The abundant occurrence of the English walnut scale, Aspidiotus juglaits- regiae, on Austrian pines in the Philadelphia area means that a new food plant has been adopted by this species, which occurs on a considerable variety of deciduous trees, such as walnut, linden, locust, maple, and box- elder, as well as on most fruit trees. An unusual infestation of the well known oyster- shell scale, Lcpidosaphes ulmi, occurred on beech in a woodland at Stock-bridge, Mass. The scale insect was so abundant as to kill many of the small branches. The infestation was easily recognized in midsummer by the somewhat general occurrence of twigs with dead leaves attached. 150 On Rhododendrons A European white fly, Dialeitrodes chittendenii, is becoming abundant and destructive on rhododendron in the greater New York area. It was first found in a Long Island nursery in 1934 and is considered to be a possibly destructive insect, since an infestation builds up rapidly. A two percent summer oil spray is said to give satisfactory control. Tested Sprays Experiments at the Laboratories the past two seasons with several colloidal arsenates of lead in which the arsenical was in a very fine suspension failed to indicate a markedly greater toxicity for these compounds as compared with the more usual arsenates of lead now on the market. One of these colloidal forms has been recommended at such great dilutions as 1 pound to 500 or 700 gallons of water. This treatment was found ineffective in controlling abundant infestations of cankerworms, although satisfactory results were obtained when the dosage was increased to approximately that recommended for the standard arsenates of lead. Extensive tests with derris powder or cube powder in rosin residue emulsions were conducted by a group of tree men, members of the National Shade Tree Conference, in co- operation with Dr. C. C. Hamilton of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The summary given by Dr. Hamilton shows that in the case of cankerworms there were two adverse and eleven satisfactory reports. While the reports on scale insects and red spiders were contradictory, good results were obtained against the tent caterpillars, fall webworms, catalpa sphinx caterpillars, spiny elm caterpillars, pear slugs, European spruce sawfly larvae, and currant worms, and fairly good results were obtained in the control of the larch case bearer, Japanese beetle, the Asiatic garden beetle and June bugs. Generally speaking, the results were reasonably good in the case of more susceptible species and not so favorable with pests possessing a higher resistance. 151 ( A Vha For ihe cAntateUr By Sarah V. Coombs SOME professional horticulturists think with moderately concealed scorn of the amateur and his or her— generally her— contribution to the science of gardening, especially as shown in flower shows. By amateur, I mean the one who grows plants with no help or only a moderate amount. It is true that the amateur's contribution to " straight" horticulture has not, as a rule, been outstanding. The daffodils, roses, gladioli, are often a sorry lot. Dahlias, for some reason, possibly that the man of the family is often responsible, may be good. Men specialize in growing flowers more than women do. Plain flower types such as zinnias and marigolds, when seen at a flower show, are probably fine. Yet on the whole, the standard is not very high so that the professional who often is good enough to act as judge does not expect much and awards prizes rather lavishly. He gives much time and judges with the utmost conscientiousness, going over each exhibit carefully, even when the whole class should rightfully be dismissed with a wave of the hand. How are we going to raise the standard of growing' and exhibiting in this country, never forgetting that amateurs are sometimes incipient scientists and may go far? The forward- looking professionals are hopeful, but the amateurs must feel the urge themselves, must jack themselves up or we shall not get very far. Yet they can be helped. Though good horticulture is professedly the aim of gardening, it is often lost in the maze of other interests. To say that for many amateurs it rests on the shaky foundation of the " Miniature Arrangements" in flower shows is pretty far- fetched, yet there is more than a grain of truth in this statement, for it is by means of such apparently unimportant and foolish lures that the person we want to influence is first attracted. The owner of a small garden is persuaded to put a miniature arrangement in a flower show. It looks easy. It isn't, for it is even more difficult to make a good design, with good color, in a tiny picture where everything is reduced to its simplest terms than in a large arrangement. It goes in, however, and perhaps because the exhibitor is something of an artist or because of the weirdness of much 152 " artistic" amateur judging, it gets a prize. Many clubs now have a class for novices in which they are pitted against those only who are as ignorant as they. In any case, the exhibitor is encouraged to try some of the other classes in the next show. This goes on for a year or two when— it would seem suddenly— the exhibitor's attention is held by the flowers themselves. Perhaps she has taken a course in Judging for Amateur Shows in which a large share is given to straight horticulture. In any case, she compares her flowers with those grown by others and the start is made. Just here is where others can help. Perhaps the exhibitor's eyes have been opened to the beauty and variety of daffodils in one of the big shows. The names of the classes mean nothing. What is a Barrii or an iitcomparabilis or a cyclamineus hybrid? Why, instead of the big trumpet daffodils which the florist sells under the name of jonquils, is the jonquil class filled with sweet- scented little clustered flowers? Most garden clubs now have horticultural chairmen whose duty it is to tell the members just such things, but botanic gardens, horticultural magazines and, above all, the scientists themselves can help the ignorant but eager amateur. When daffodils are in season, every person who can be induced, beaten, bribed or kidnapped should be taken to see one or more of the great glorious blooming spots and the different types should be pointed out. Once shown such a place, a springtime hereafter when those people miss that sight will be considered by them a springtime wasted. It is a rewarding task, for the amateurs are on the whole a rather meek and grateful lot. Will they not grow better daffodils hereafter? They should be helped In-classified lists of varieties suitable for the full and for the rather flat purse. If they grow one fine daffodil as a result, even that is something. How many amateurs see the flowering crabapples and cherries in our botanic gardens? Or the irises or the roses, the gladioli or the dahlias, the berried shrubs or the rhododendrons? The botanists are over- busy with their research and their classification, the horticulturists are hard at work planting all these lovely things, but the amateur needs their help. We are supposed to be a literate race, yet most of us hark back to our remote ancestors in learning more quickly and easily by 153 seeing. Perhaps we have read about the beauty- bush or the Louisiana irises or the dove- tree. We may have seen colored illustrations which are vivid and interesting but when we have once seen a glorious waterfall of the pink flowers of the Kolkwitzia or the strange tawny color of some of the irises, or especially, if we have seen the dove- tree's fluttering white " bird", we shall never forget them. The more flowers the amateur can see, the more likely he is to develop into a real horticulturist. In the mediaeval dimness of the early years of the century, when many facts had to be dug out painfully by the amateur, Bailey's " Cyclopedia of American Horticulture" was, to the writer of this, then an eager but entirely ignorant gardener, the lamp which lighted many midnight hours of study. Dr. Bailey's books are standards still and there are many others nowadays, yet we still must learn by seeing, by doing and by our mistakes. Having done it once, not again will this writer plant twenty- five different perennials in a bed 25 feet by 5, her only salvation having been that many of them never came up! Our amateur must learn, in one way if not in another, and guiding hands will save many a false step and many a time- wasting mistake. A Word to the Amateur This has been a plea to the scientist to help the amateur. Now a few words to the amateur herself. There are men's garden clubs now and more power to them. May they live long and prosper! Yet the rank amateur is more likely so far to belong to the " female sect." If you want to get anywhere, you must work. You must plant good stuff. That is rather easy. The catalogs are tempting and dramatic, and visions of splendid new marigolds and lupins and delphiniums and roses and shrubs fill the mind with delightful pictures. Having acquired and planted these treasures in suitable soil, it is awfully easy to forget them. Enthusiasm wanes as the thermometer climbs. It is so easy not to go out with the hose or the sprayer— I know just how easy— but remember that when somebody else's dahlias and late roses and new annuals are better than yours at the show, you are going to wish you had done what was needed. When the judges turn thumbs down on your exhibit because there are holes in the foliage or the flowers are not as big as they should be for that variety, it will be just too bad. 154 Since the path to horticulture is strewn with flower shows, a hint or two about preparing for them may not be out of place. Cut your flowers the night before and set in deep water in a cool place over night. Wrap a paper about your dahlias, your poppies, your heliotrope and your mignonette and burn the ends of the stems over a flame till a porous carbon is formed which will let the water enter. Cut your roses in bud, your poppies also. Plants with a milky juice will be helped by salt or ashes in the water which keeps the sap from hardening. A pail half- filled with damp sand and with chicken- wire over the top may be a good carrier for your flowers. Lay your dahlias in a long box if you don't want them to decapitate themselves. Wrap the open flowers of your gladioli in paper to hold them back till the buds open. If in a spring show, cut your tulips from 24 to 48 hours ahead of time and set in deep water, giving them time to decide whether to have a back bone or a " Hogarth line of beauty"! If they curve annoyingly but gracefully, use them in an arrangement. Cut red-or orange- cupped narcissi just before they open, as the sun fades the color, but let the sun bleach the white ones. When you get to the show, arrange your flowers if you have a chance. A collection may be made or spoiled by arrangement. Above all, have good flowers. Have something those fine professional horticulturists will really like to judge; and thus shall we who are amateurs win favor in their eyes, and whether our days are long in the land or not, we shall have had a grand time. cA cMother of Islands By H. H. Rusby ' I ' HE mangrove, which may be found at the edge of salt water •*- in tropical regions, has been well characterized as a " mother of islands." It also slowly extends the area of the land toward the ocean wherever it takes root. The principal mangrove of the coast and the islands off southeastern United States is Rhizophora Mangle L. Other species of essentially the same, though slightly different habit, occupy similar regions in other parts of the world. Torn loose by the waves during a storm, a small native mangrove shrub is carried away by the tide until it becomes stranded at some place where the water is shallow. Here it takes root and 155 develops into a large erect shrub or small tree. Eventually it bears flowers and fruits. After flowering, the mature pod does not fall, neither does it discharge its seed, but it remains closed and sometimes attached as long as a year, its stem continuing to grow indefinitely. The seed contained in the pod then germinates in situ, its root becoming extruded and turning downward, gradually increasing in thickness and strength as it elongates. When the root is about 12 or 15 inches long, the seedling becomes detached from the parent plant, and either becomes lodged in the mud directly below, or is carried away by wind or tide to some other point, where, if the water is shallow, the young root gets a foothold and draws up nourishment for the young growing plant. As the mangrove matures, it sends down adventitious roots from the under side of the branches, either vertically or at an angle. As these reach the water, and later the mud below, the branches, strengthened by this new support, and by others which develop later, extend themselves indefinitely, spreading outward in all directions. By continuation of this process, these adventitious roots often branching, the original plant develops into a miniature forest with hundreds and finally thousands of stem- like roots standing thickly in the shallow water, and so firmly anchored that they safely resist the action of wind and wave. Many of the leaves which fall become entangled in the roots and decay, thus making continual additions to the soil at the bottom. This same network of stems and roots catches and holds other floating vegetation which comes its way. When storms occur, stirring up the sand and earth beneath the water, more or less of this earthy material is caught in the network of vegetation, and it in turn becomes a resting place for further additions of the same kind. As the years go by, this mangrove growth, at first insignificant, may come to cover acres or even square miles, and a soil which at first barely showed above the surface at a single point becomes an island or an extension of the shore, where ultimately human habitations may be established. This is no fancy sketch of a process that is merely possible, but an accurate description of one that is now in operation in hundreds of places. It is not too much to say that much of the land now constituting the southwestern portion of the peninsula of Florida and the adjacent islands originated in this way. 156 The Recognition of Some Qommon ^ Native Trees < ® y Their J^ eaVeS By Harold N. Moldenke YV/ 777/ descriptions of the leaves of eight of the fifteen common native W trees which have been treated in previous numbers of the Journal* the year- around series of articles on identification of trees is continued in this issue. Leaves of the seven remaining trees zvill be described by Dr. Moldenke in u forthcoming number of the Journal. The series zvill be continued zvith an illustrated presentation of the flowers and fruits of these same trees by Dr. W. H. Camp. The photographs of the leaves in this and the next number, zvhich have been made by Miss Fleda Griffith, have all been taken at the same distance from the subject, and are reproduced here at approximately one- fifth natural size.— C. H. W. Sweet- gum { Liquidambar Styraciflua). The characteristic leaves of the sweet- gum render it one of the easiest of our native trees to identify, for no other tree in our flora possesses star- shaped leaves. Only with some of the maples could it remotely be confused, but the sweet- gum's leaves are less irregular in outline, are equipped with long petioles, and arranged on the twigs in alternate fashion instead of opposite in pairs. They are fragrant when bruised and turn to a deep crimson color in the autumn. The blades, which are three to nine inches in diameter, are mostly broader than long, and they vary from almost truncate to slightly-heart- shaped at the base. Smooth and shining above, the leaves are often pubescent beneath in the axils of the larger veins. The three to seven deeply cut, sharply pointed lobes are surprisingly uniform and regular. Their margins are evenly serrate with fine, sharp, gland- tipped teeth. The main venation is palmate— that is, the principal veins issue from a single point at the base of the leaf from where they spread outward somewdiat in the manner of the fingers of one's hand. American Linden ( Tiiia americana). Of the dozen or more lindens found in the eastern United States, this one is perhaps the most common in our immediate region, where it is frequently called either basswood or whitewood. The leaves, which are comparatively large, occur in alternate fashion on the twigs. Unlike * Trees in Profile by Forman T. McLean, Dec. 1937; Bark and Buds to Identify Some Native Trees in Winter by E. J. Alexander, March and April 1938. 157 those of the sweet- gum, however, they are not arranged spirally, but are borne on directly opposite sides of the twigs in a distichous The sweet'gum ( above) is the only native tree with definitely star'shaped leaves. The base of each leaf of the American linden ( below) is inequilateral. 158 or two- ranked fashion. A twig of sweet- gum will not lie flat on the table, because the leaves issue from all sides of it, but a twig of the linden will lie perfectly flat, with every leaf in its natural position. The leaves are simple and comparatively short- petiolate, thick- textured when mature, smooth and dark dull green above, paler beneath and also smooth except for tufts of rusty- brown hairs in the axils of the prominent veins. Broadly ovate in outline, the leaves are usually about five to six inches long and two to five inches wide. The apex is very abruptly acuminate or prolonged into a short, sharp point. The base is mostly heart- shaped or more rarely truncate and is conspicuously oblique or inequilateral. The margins are rather coarsely serrate with incurved glandular teeth. The venation is pinnate— that is, like the branches of a feather, except at the very base on the longer side. Silver Maple ( Acer saccharinum). The maples belong in that comparatively small group of native trees whose leaves are arranged in pairs opposite each other on the twigs. The pairs, as can be plainly seen in the upper illustration, lie at right angles to each other, so that a perfect mosaic is formed when the branch is viewed from above. Normally each blade is thus exposed fully to the sunlight so necessary to the growth of the tree. The slender, often drooping, red petioles are four to five inches in length. If the point of a compass were placed in the center of the mid- vein of a silver maple leaf, a circle drawn would touch the tip and base of the leaf and would pass just inside the tips of the two main lateral lobes. Thus, though the lobes are slender, the blade itself is nearly orbicular in outline, usually about four to six inches long and six to seven inches wide. Even at maturity the leaf- blade is thin- textured, being smooth and pale green above and silvery- glaucous and more or less pubescent below, especially when young. Though the leaves are definitely palmately five-veined, often only three of the lobes are distinct, the lower pair being much smaller than the others. At the base the leaves are truncate or slightly heart- shaped. The lobes are rather narrow, coarsely and irregularly dentate or incised, sharply acuminate at the apex, and separated from each other by very acute sinuses. The terminal lobe usually has a small divergent secondary lobe on each side at about the middle. Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum). Of the dozen or more maples of the eastern states, the sugar maple and silver maple ( described above) are perhaps the commonest in this area, although the red 159 and Carolina maples are also locally abundant. The individual lobes of the leaf of the sugar maple, shown in the upper left- The twig at the right shows the typical arrangement of maple leaves, as exemplified by the silver maple. Above, at the left, is a single leaf of the native sugar maple. Similar in form but different in texture are the leaves of the buttonwood, shown below at both the left and right. 160 hand corner of the illustration, are much broader than those of the silver maple. The blades, which are palmately three- to five-veined and three- to five- lobed, are usually about three to six inches in both breadth and length. They are rather thin at maturity, smooth on both surfaces, dark green and dull above, paler beneath, and heart- shaped or truncate at the base. The broad lobes are sparingly and irregularly sinuate- toothed, and both lobes and teeth are sharply acuminate at the apex— that is, they are drawn out into an elongated point. The sinuses between the lobes are broadly rounded, causing the leaf- surface to appear more or less wavy and the lobes to overlap when a leaf is laid flat for photographing. Buttonwood ( Platanus occidentalis). The leaves of the button-wood, also known as the buttonball, plane- tree, or sycamore, resemble somewhat those of the maples, but may be distinguished at once by their thicker texture, the hairiness of the young leaves, and their spirally alternate arrangement on the twigs. Both a single leaf and a twig are shown in the illustration. The conically hollowed petiole- base is also characteristic, completely enclosing and hiding the new bud for the next year, instead of each bud being borne openly in the axil of the leaf, as is the case with the maples and most of our other trees. The petioles are stout and about three to five inches long, which means they are usually shorter than the blade. The firm- textured leaf- blades are four to nine inches wide ( or much broader on vigorous shoots) and measure slightly less in length. Shallowly three- to five- lobed and palmately veined, they vary at the base from truncate or slightly heart- shaped to wedge- shaped, like the one at the right in the picture. When young, they are densely floccose- pubescent with whitish branched hairs, especially beneath, but they become nearly glabrous on maturity except for a slight pubescence on the principal veins beneath. One leaf on the left in the illustration and a small one on the right are shown in reverse. The leaves vary greatly in shape, even on a single tree, though the lobes are always broad, mostly large, and acuminate at the apex. The margins may be sinuate- dentate with rather remote acuminate teeth, as in the photograph, or entire and merely undulate. Sassafras ( Sassafras variifoliuin). Unmistakable is the sassafras tree in leaf. No other tree in our local flora has leaves which vary so conspicuously on the same branch from entire- margined 161 to mitten- shaped and even plainly three- lobed! Also, none of our other trees has leaves which are mucilaginous when chewed, and The sassafras bears three types of leaves on a single branch— entire, mitten-shaped, and three- lobed. 162 these have the distinctive sassafras flavor. The leaves are spirally alternate in their arrangement on the twig, and their blades are ovate or obovate in outline, four to six inches long, two to four inches wide, and plainly cuneate ( wedge- shaped) at the base. Smooth, bright green above, they are glaucescent and smooth or slightly pubescent beneath, becoming less pubescent in age. Their thin texture is revealed in the impression of the twig through several of the leaves in the illustration. The lobes, when present, are broadly ovate or elliptic in shape and acute at the apex, with sinuses which are broad and rounded. The petioles are very short and slender, usually only j4 to lyi inches in length. The venation is pinnate, the principal veins arising from different positions along the midrib, although the veins leading to the lobes are mostly stronger and more conspicuous than the rest. Tulip- tree ( Liriodendron Tulipifera). Another tree whose foliage is unmistakable is the tulip- tree or yellow poplar. The broad notch at the apex gives each leaf a squarish or saddle- shaped appearance, which prevents an observer from confusing it with the leaf of any other tree in the region. The blades vary from three to six inches in length and width and are borne on long petioles which are spirally alternate on the twigs. At the base they vary from slightly heart- shaped or wedge- shaped ( as in the picture) to truncate or rounded. Ordinarily four- lobed, the blades sometimes have two small additional basal lobes. At maturity the leaves are rather thin in texture. They are smooth and lustrous above and of a paler dull green beneath. A few of them turn color as soon as the flowering season is over the last of June, so that by early autumn an entire tree is brilliant yellow. Sour- gum ( Nyssa sylvatica). This tree, which is also known as tupelo or pepperidge, is most common along streams and about the margin of ponds, although it may be found also on hillsides and in abandoned pastures, where its seeds have been dropped by passing birds. Its glossy leaves are uniformly smaller than any of those thus far discussed. Though they are spirally alternate, they are mostly crowded at the ends of short lateral branches, or more remotely scattered on vigorous shoots. In shape the blades vary from elliptic to obovate- elliptic or obovate. They are two to five inches long, rather thick in texture at maturity, dark green and very lustrous above, and glaucescent and smooth beneath or more or less pubescent along the veins. At the apex the leaves are rather abruptly acute, while they are cuneate at the base. The 163 petioles are one- quarter to one and one- half inches long and are usually fringed on the margins. The' leaves turn bright scarlet on the upper surface in rather early autumn before they fall. The tulip- tree ( left) is \ nown by ihe indentation at the tip of each leaf; the sour- gum ( right) by its glossy, clustered, entire- margined leaves. 164 Reviews of Recent ( Books ( All publications reviewed here may be consulted in the Library of The New York Botanical Garden.) Good Reading for Gardeners THE GARDENER'S DAY BOOK. Richardson Wright. 384 pages, indexed. J. B. Lippincott Co. 1938. $ 2.50. " The question of what inveterate gardeners do when they are not gardening can be easily answered— they read about it. . You may know a good gardener by the fact that, although his feet are set firmly on earth, his interests range without limit through space and time. Within the bounds of his particular world and beyond them, he is constantly widening his vision, polishing his imagination and heightening his experience. That is the reason I, who vowed never to write another gardening book, am hereby throwing my good resolution out the window. Each year piles experience on experience and vision on vision. The garden becomes crowded not alone with plants but with gardeners also, some of them in the flesh— friendly, helpful and generous-others mere ghosts from out the dim past. Across these pages they will walk. . . . ." Thus speaks Richardson Wright in " The Gardener's Day Book." Praises be that this ever popular flower show judge, toastmaster, lecturer, editor, philosopher, historian and humorist has stolen time again to jot down and present another collection of assorted juicy bits of garden gossip sprinkled generously with witty thumb- nail sketches gleaned from his own rich storeroom of readings, reminiscences and present- day cronies. This Day Book follows the form and format of the famous Gardener's Bed Books— for each of the 365 days there is a selection of some 200 words terminating with a daily reminder such as " Oil the mole traps. You'll be needing them soon," or " Be stingy with water on Christmas Cactus and the buds won't fall off." At the end of each month Mr. Wright just can't keep within bounds so he throws in for good measure an extra 2,000- word sketch and calls it the Long Piece—" At the Tavern of the Old Taxonomist" is his choice for the close ot January. It is as difficult to present a true picture of the rich contents of this book as it is to predict what Mr. Wright will think of next. However, if you enjoy a bit of frivolity mixed iii with a goodly measure of gardening common sense you will not be disappointed when you read " The Gardener's Day Book." ELIZABETH C. HALL. On Flower Shows FLOWER SHOWS AND HOW TO STAGE THEM. Adele S. Fisher. Illustrated with photographs. Richard R. Smith, New York. 1938. $ 5. This book has much to recommend it. For one thing, it is, I believe, the first one to offer so complete a picture of flower show procedure, though there have been a number of pamphlets with suggestions. It is an agreeable book to look at, many of the pictures being reproductions of prize- winning flower arrangements, wall- gardens, shadow box groups, garden borders, etc. Mrs. Fisher has been for years an intelligent and earnest worker for flower shows and was instrumental in starting the first garden center, that of Hackensack. She has been interested in civic planting and roadside improvement. Her influence is far- reaching. Because of her good work, I find it difficult and ungracious to say that I think her book nrght have been better. There are many good suggestions. One, especially, is the use of a card catalogue for flower- committee chairmen, each card containing a list of the duties of the office, with an implication as to what is not expected, so that departments will not overlap. I find especially helpful the suggestion for a clean- up chairman and for a flower distribution chairman. Having helped with many flower shows, I know that cleaning up after several days of hard work, with the excitement all past, is one 165 of the dullest and most difficult jobs imaginable, and the idea of having a fresh, new individual in charge, one who is not limp and tired out, is most attractive. Then the suggestion that the flowers for the sick should be carefully arranged in separate boxes brings to memory large rather messy bunches of lovely flowers, gathered together hastily after the show and sent to hospitals. How much more the flowers would mean to sick people if they reached them carefully laid in suitable boxes, neatly wrapped and tied. I do not agree with Mrs. Fisher that artists make the best flower show judges; that is, unless they have also a knowledge of flowers. Line, color, balance, proportion are all most important but there is, in work with flowers, something further, a technique impossible to be understood by one unacquainted with the growth of flowers. Many will not agree with me but my conclusion has been reached after many years of judging with many delightful artists. Since I am supposed to be horticultural watchdog for a sizeable group of garden club members, I shall have to do a little barking. With all its good points, I find the book deficient in one important particular. It all comes back to the question, " What are flower shows for?" To interest garden club members? To attract the community? To start children working ? To stage a beautiful plan ? All these are worthy obj ects, yet our real object, in show and in garden club, should be to raise the standard of horticulture, to induce people to grow better flowers than they ever did before. Suggestions for simple, inexpensive, practical ways of making fences, backgrounds and seats for flower shows are interesting — but are they horticulture? I find little emphasis laid on the flowers themselves, few classes for specimens in the schedules, except in the dahlia one and in some of the school children's work. People can learn much from flower show gardens and there are gardens galore, but not enough importance has been given to the flowers. Now, having barked rather fiercely, may I finish by saying that Mrs. Fisher's book will help many people in their flower show plans and that, if those people will give " straight" horticulture at least a fifty- fifty chance, all will be well. SARAH V. COOMBS. Ferns and Their Lore OUR FERNS, THEIR HAUNTS, HABITS AND FOLKLORE. Willard Nelson Clute. 388 pages, illustrated, indexed. Frederick A. Stokes Co. 1938. $ 4. This is a very welcome revision of the excellent book, " Our Ferns in Their Haunts," which has been out of print for some time. Eighty- four species and their various forms found east of the Rockies and north of the Gulf States are included. In this edition there are additional species described, the illustrations and descriptions have been much extended, and the nomenclature has been brought up to date. There are several short, concise keys: two descriptive types, one for the genera and one for species in each genera, and one with illustrations of sporangia. We thankfully note that the well established common names have not been changed and that synonyms for the scientific are given. The author has, however, given a number of the less common forms new popular names. He is conservative in his divisions of species, as in Pellaea atro purpurea, where he does not recognize glabella as a species, but rather as a form. The many quotations of poetry and the references to the folklore and distribution in other countries add much spice to the fine descriptions. " Our Ferns" will make a valuable addition to the reference library of the fern student or hobbyist. FARIDA A. WILEY. The Proper Care of Trees PRACTICAL TREE SURGERY. Millard F. Blair. 297 pages, illustrated, indexed. Christopher Publishing House, Boston. 1938. $ 4. " Practical Tree Surgery" by Millard F. Blair is an attractively printed, well illustrated volume, whose nearly 300 pages deal with a wide variety of topics relating to trees and tree care, about one-half of it being" devoted to brief discussions of many insects and plant diseases. The matter relating to tree surgery, using the word in its restricted and proper sense, occupies less than 100 pages and deals with such subjects as tree structure, trimming, planting and pruning, bracing, cavity work, feeding, moving, grafting and budding, propagation by cuttings and layering, pollination of flowers, flower parts, and a somewhat unusual chapter on ropes and knots. 166 The large number of subjects treated compels brevity, in some cases at the expense of clarity. The book appears to have been written with the needs of the expert in mind and is obviously western in its discussions of insects and diseases in particular. It is therefore of greatest service to tree men on the Pacific slope. E. P. FELT. Magnificent Gardens GARDENS AND GARDENING. Edited by F. A. Mercer. 132 pages, illustrated with photographs and plans. The Studio, New York and London. 1938. $ 4.50. While a British flavor and continental air are bound to enter a gardening annual which is published in England, the seventh issue of Gardens and Gardening contains enough American photographs and sufficient practical material for any land, to be of decided interest and usefulness to American gardeners. Abundantly and beautifully illustrated, the volume includes, among its main topics, Planning and Replanning the Garden ( with a dozen scale drawings) ; Plans by Leading Garden Architects; Colour in the Garden; Pools, Ponds and Streams and How to Use Them; and Rocks, Their Meaning and Use in Japanese Gardens. Of no less interest are the notes and illustrations of such garden and landscape features as substitutes for rhododendrons, intimate gardens, boundaries, and numerous other topics, with special emphasis placed on the garden of small or medium size. The book gives one the feeling that every garden is magnificent and every shrub and flower is superb. CAROL H. WOODWARD. Picture Books HARDEN BULBS IN COLOR. J. Horace McFarland, R. Marion Hatton, and Daniel J. Foley. 296 pages, illustrated in color, indexed. Macmillan, New York. 1938. $ 3.50. ANNUALS FOR YOUR GARDEN. Daniel J. Foley. 96 pages, illustrated in color, indexed. Macmillan, New- York, 1938. $ 1. When a fair collection of catalogs, most of which are free for the asking, will provide an abundance of colored pictures of garden flowers, one wonders why these same pictures are collected into books. But they are— here is one on bulbs and one on annuals— and people seemed to like the earlier one on garden flowers enough to induce a publisher to put out more. Their chief advantage is to enable the beginning gardener to select ( with high hopes) the flowers which are so brilliantly pictured, or to make quick identifications of plants which spring up without benefit of labels. Information and simple cultural directions are given for each plant illustrated. The book of annuals emphasizes the All- America selections. The bulb book contains pictures of several indoor subjects as well as of hardy garden material. In view of the recent warnings against such tulips as the Rembrandts, which are likely to spread their virus disease through the garden, it seems a bit out of place in speaking of the " broken" tulips for the authors to remark: " Gardeners are missing much pleasure by not growing more of them." However, the books on the whole are well handled, and no doubt serve a good purpose in acquainting their purchasers pictorially with many colorful garden flowers. CAROL H. WOODWARD. Current Literature* At a Glance By Carol H. Woodward Ferns. The May- June issue of Torreya will be of special interest to anyone visiting the Pine Barrens of New Jersey this summer, for Martha H. Hollinshead has described the ferns to be found in that region. City Trees. How a program for the planting of street trees in New York City is now being carried out is explained by E. L. D. Seymour in the City Gardens Club Bulletin. By arrangement with Anthony V. Grande in the Park Department offices in the Central Park Arsenal, a single tree may be planted at the request of an individual in metropolitan New York for a cost of about fifty dollars. In other sections and for trees in quantity, the cost of each specimen becomes less. * All publications mentioned here— and many others— may be found in the Library of The Botanical Garden, in the Museum Building. 167 Florida Trees. Ornamental trees of Florida are described by Harold Mowry in Bulletin 95 of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Gainesville, Fla. Trough Gardening. A new type of receptacle for growing alpine plants is described by Dr. R. C. C. Clay in Gardening Illustrated ( London) May 28. Old stone troughs, some of them dating back 200 years, are used. Dr. Clay exhibited a number of them at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this year. Phlox. Dwarf species and varieties of phlox are described in the May 14 number of Lexington Leaflets. A score of named color forms of Phlox subulata are listed. Storage. Brief, up- to- date directions for the commercial storage of fruits, vegetables, and florists* stocks are given in the revised edition of U. S. D. A. Circular 278, which is obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C, for 10 cents. Walls. A series of articles on plants to use in wall gardens, written by C. W. Wood, is running in The American Nurseryman this summer. Nuttalt. The travels and the scientific collections of Thomas Nuttall are the subject of an extensive article in Bartonia, the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Botanical Club, No. 18. Material which had been prepared by Willard W. Eggleston prior to his death late in 1935 was incorporated in the final work by Francis W. Pennell. Franklinia. " A Supplementary Chapter on Franklinia alatamaha" has been written by Francis Harper and Arthur N. Leeds for Bartonia ( No. 19). It records some recent expeditions in search of Bartram's famed " Gordonia"— but still the shrub's disappearance from the wild remains a mystery. Australia. A new handbook, paper-covered and illustrated in color, lists 86 common Australian wild flowers. Soybeans. A new green vegetable for the American table is forthcoming through the careful selection and use of soybeans. A study of soybeans for the American diet has been made by Sybil WoodrufL and Helen Klaas, published as Bulletin 443 of the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. The mature beans give promise as a low- cost source of protein in the diet, while the green beans may be picked and cooked immediately or preserved by freezing for later use. Flour is also made from soybeans. " Broken" Tulips. Specific answers are given to some of the questions frequently asked regarding the " breaking" of tulips. in an article by Frank P. McWhorter and Philip Brierley in the Florists' Exchange for June 11. Two opposing viruses are involved, they explain, in the color distortions in tulips which give rise to " broken" flowers. Broken tulips may infect healthy stock in a field. The virus may be carried from the bulbs of Lilium candidum or L. tigrinu » t, and the most common cause for the spread of the disease in large plantings is the presence of the potato and peach aphids. The disease does not show until the year after the infection. Parrot tulips do not belong to the " broken" class, but Rembrandts do. This means that a grower who wishes to maintain healthy stock should destroy all tulips of the Rembrandt and similar types, as they are diseased. Gardening. Three of the outstanding practical articles in Real Gardening for June are " Sprays and Dusts for Garden Troubles'' by L. C. Chadwick, " What Makes a Good Rock Garden" by Marcel Le Piniec, and " The Needs of a Native Plant Garden" by the editor, Robert S. Lemmon. Among other topics of the month are lilacs, lilies, sedums, irises, eriogonums, and vegetables. Arthur Her-rington writes especially for garden club members on " Just How to Organize a Flower Show." Notes, Neivs, and Comment From England. Professor Sir Albert C. Seward, botanist, formerly Master of Downing College and Vice- Chancellor of Cambridge University, was a visitor at The New York Botanical Garden on May 25 and was a guest of staff members at lunch. Professor Seward is well known for his work on fossil plants and particularly in this country for his book, " Plant Life Through the Ages." 168 Scholarship Students. Working at The New York Botanical Garden this summer on scholarships are Dr. Margaret Fulford from the University of Cincinnati, who is spending two months on the liverwort genus Bazzania; Edna Kobs of Blackburn College in Virginia, doing a month's research on sugar; Joseph Allerton of New York University and Betty Water-bury of New Jersey College for Women, both working under Dr. A. B. Stout for a month; and Josephine McAllister, a Columbia graduate student, who is continuing her studies on diseases of Opuntia with a month of special work under Dr. B. O. Dodge. During the spring, Oswaldo Lourenso spent a month with Dr. Dodge on a scholarship making illustrations and cultures of the pink bread- mold, Neurospora. Laboratory. Mrs. Mary Bartley Schmidt came to the Garden July 1 from the University of Missouri to do four months of special laboratory work on the nutrition of roots under the direction of Dr. William J. Robbins. Summer Studies. Dr. Ernest Nailor, Assistant Professor of Botany at the University of Missouri, is at the Botanical Garden this summer doing some research on vegetative propagation. John Middleton, a graduate student at Missouri, spent two weeks here in June doing some special work in mycology. Prize- winners. A group of daylily seedlings exhibited by The New York Botanical Garden at the headquarters of the Horticultural Society of New York June 20 and 21 received a gold medal. Other prize displays included five stalks of Lilium candidum, another group of lilies, and a group of campanulas shown by Mrs. Helen M. Fox; a standard hydrangea exhibited by Mrs. Christian R. Holmes; and a bowl of cut clematis hybrids from the gardens of J. E. Spingarn. Returned. Dr. A. C. Smith returned to New York and the Garden early in June after a nine- months' trip exploring in South America, during which he gathered specimens from unknown territory far in the interior of British Guiana. Visitors. Dr. H. H. Whetzel of Cornell University spent two days at the Botanical Garden in June identifying some fungus hosts from Santo Domingo. Dr. Frank Egler of Syracuse University worked for a day in the oriental herbarium. New Books. Among the books which have recently been acquired by the Library are several from the Stanford University Press. " Alaska Wild Flowers" by Ada White Sharpies fills a need among northern travelers with many good photographs illustrating its 156 pages of descriptions. " Northern Rocky Mountain Trees and Shrubs" by J. E. Kirk-wood, with its complete descriptions, in systematic order, and its photographs of plants and drawings of floral and leaf parts, has been a standard work ever since its publication in 1930. John L. Ridgway's " Scientific Illustration" is an indispensable work for one who needs to know the methods, technique, styles, and codes to be used in illustrating scientific works. " The Trees of Yosemite'' by Mary Curry Tresidder is illustrated with 34 block linoleum prints by Della Taylor Hoss. Chapters on ten explorers of the nineteenth century are contained in " Naturalists of the Frontier" by Samuel Wood Geiser, published by the Southern Methodist University Press. Biographical notes on many others are provided in an appendix. Genetics. Professor Edmund W. Sinnott of Barnard College, a member of the Botanical Garden's Board of Managers, is to be transferred to Columbia University's new laboratory of genetics for research on growth and inheritance. Beginning July 1, Dr. Sinnott is dividing his time between the college and the new laboratory, where, after two years, he expects to devote all his time to the botanical phases of the work. Traveler. Dr. Carl Skottsberg, Director of the Botanical Garden at Goteborg, Sweden, stopped at The New York Botanical Garden June 9 on his way to Hawaii, where he will do three months of research, returning home to Sweden via New Zealand. Alaskan Flora. Dr. Eric Hulten of Lund University, Sweden, spent two weeks in June at the Botanical Garden here working on the flora of Alaska in the herbarium. Grapes. Dr. A. B. Stout went to Geneva, N. Y., June 15 to continue his work in the breeding of hardy seedless grapes. THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN BOARD OF MANAGERS I. ELECTIVE MANAGERS Until 1939: ARTHUR M. ANDERSON ( Treasurer), CLARENCE LEWIS, E. D. MERRILL, HENRY DE LA MONTAGNE ( Secretary and Assistant Treasurer), WILLIAM J. ROBBINS, and J. E. SPINGARN. Until 1040: HENRY DE FOREST BALDWIN ( Vice- president), CHILDS FRICK, ALLYN R. JENNINGS, HENRY LOCKHART, JR., D. T. MACDOUGAL, and JOSEPH R. SWAN ( President). Until 1941: MARSHALL FIELD, MRS. ELON HUNTINGTON HOOKER, JOHN L. MERRILL ( Vice- president), COL. ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, H. HOBART PORTER, and RAYMOND H. TORREY. II. EX- OFFICIO MANAGERS FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA, Mayor of the City of New York. ROBERT MOSES, Park Commissioner. HENRY C. TURNER, President of the Board of Education. III. APPOINTIVE MANAGERS TRACY E. HAZEN, appointed by the Torrey Botanical Club. R. A. HARPER, SAM F. TRELEASE, EDMUND W. SINNOTT, and MARSTON T. BOGERT, appointed by Columbia University. GARDEN STAFF WILLIAM J. ROBBINS, P H . D., SC. D Director H. A. GLEASON, P H . D Assistant Director and Head Curator HENRY DE LA MONTAGNE Assistant Director A. B. STOUT, P H . D Curator of Education and Laboratories FRED J. SEAVER, P H . D., SC. D Curator BERNARD O, DODGE, P H . D Plant Pathologist JOHN HENDLEY BARNHART, A. M., M. D Bibliographer PERCY WILSON Associate Curator ALBERT C. SMITH, P H . D Associate Curator HAROLD N. MOLDENKE, P H . D Associate Curator ELIZABETH C. HALL, B. S Librarian H. H. RUSBY, M. D Honorary Curator of the Economic Collections FLEDA GRIFFITH Artist and Photographer ROBERT S. WILLIAMS Research Associate in Bryology E. J, ALEXANDER Assistant Curator and Curator of the Local Herbarium W. H. CAMP, P H . D Assistant Curator CLYDE CHANDLER, A. M Technical Assistant ROSALIE WEIKERT Technical Assistant FREDERICK KAVANAGH, M. A Technical Assistant CAROL H. WOODWARD, A. B Editorial Assistant THOMAS H. EVERETT, N. D. HORT Horticulturist G. L. WITTROCK, A. M Docent ' OTTO DEGENER, M. S Collaborator in Hawaiian Botany ROBERT HAGELSTEIN Honorary Curator of Myxomycetes ETHEL ANSON S. PECKHAM. . Honorary Curator, Iris and Narcissus Collections ARTHUR J. CORBETT Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds A. C PFANDER Assistant Superintendent MEMBERSHIP IN THE GARDEN Established as a privately endowed institution, aided partially by City appropriations, The New York Botanical Garden is dependent for its progress largely upon benefactions and memberships. Through these means, though young as botanical gardens go, it has become the third largest institution of its kind, its library, herbarium, and horticultural collections ranking among the finest and most complete in any country. Membership in The New York Botanical Garden, therefore, means promotion of scientific research in botany and the advancement of horticultural interests. Scientifically, the Garden is able to serve as a clearing- house of information for students and botanists all over the world; horticulturally, it often serves as a link between the plant explorer or breeder and the gardening public. Through memberships and benefactions, provision is made at the Botanical Garden for the training of young scientists and student gardeners; hundreds of new books are added annually to the library, which is open daily to the public for research and reading; free exhibits are maintained in the museum, the greenhouses, and gardens, and lectures, courses, and free information in botany and gardening are given to the public. Each individual member of the Garden receives: ( 1) A copy of the Journal every month. ( 2) A copy of Addisonia twice a year, each number illustrated with eight colored plates of unusual plants, accompanied by complete descriptions and other pertinent information. ( 3) A share of surplus plant material of interesting or new varieties whenever it is distributed. ( 4) Announcements of special floral displays at the Garden from season to season. ( 5) Credit, to the extent of the membership fee paid, toward courses of study offered by the Garden. A limited number of garden clubs are accepted as affiliates. The privileges of affiliation are a subscription to the Journal, announcements of displays, a specially conducted tour of the grounds and greenhouses, and a lecture once a year by a selected member of the staff. Fellowships or scholarships for practical student- training in horticulture or for botanical research may be established by bequest or other benefaction either in perpetuity or for a definite period. The classes of membership and types of benefaction are as follows: Annual Member Sustaining Member Garden Club Affiliation Fellowship Member Member for Life Fellow for Life Patron Benefactor annual fee annual fee annual fee for club annual fee single contribution single contribution single contribution single contribution $ 10 25 25 100 250 1,000 5,000 25,000 Contributions to the Garden may be deducted from taxable incomes. The following is a legally approved form of bequest: I hereby bequeath to The New Tor\ Botanical Garden incorporated under the Laws of New York, Chapter 285 of 1891, the sum of . Conditional bequests may be made with income payable to donor or any designated beneficiary during his or her lifetime. All requests for further information should be addressed to The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, New York, N. Y.
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Contributor | New York Botanical Garden |
Date | 1938-07 |
Description-Table Of Contents | Results of Recent Research in the Control of Pests on Trees; A Plea for the Amateur; A Mother of Islands; The Recognition of Some Common Native Trees by Their Leaves; Reviews of Recent Books; Current Literature at a Glance; Notes, News, and Comment. |
Format | application/pdf |
Format-Extent | 51 v. : ill. ; 25 cm. |
Identifier | 0885-4165 |
Language | eng |
Publisher | Bronx : New York Botanical Garden, 1900-1950 |
Relation-Is Part Of | Journal of the New York Botanical Garden : v. 1, no. 1-v. 51, no. 612 |
Relation-IsVersionOfURI | http://opac.nybg.org/record=b1104879 |
Rights | http://www.nybg.org/library/ |
Subject | Plants--Periodicals; Gardening--Periodicals; Plants, Cultivated--Periodicals; New York Botanical Garden--Periodicals. |
Title | Journal of the New York Botanical Garden |
Volume, Number | Vol. 39, no. 463 |
Type | text |
Transcript | VOL. XXXIX No. 463 JULY, 1938 PAGES 145— 168 JOURNAL of THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN Published monthly by The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, New York, N. Y. Entered at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., as second- class matter. Annual subscription $ 1.00 Single copies 10 cents Free to members of the Garden JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN CAROL H. WOODWARD, Editor JULY, 1938 IN THE WATERLILY POOL Cover Photographed by Fleda Griffith RESULTS OF RECENT RESEARCH IN THE CONTROL OF PESTS ON TREES E. Porter Felt 145 A PLEA FOR THE AMATEUR Sarah V. Coombs 151 A MOTHER OF ISLANDS H. H. Rusby 154 T H E RECOGNITION OF SOME COMMON NATIVE TREES BY THEIR LEAVES Harold N. Moldenke 156 REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 164 CURRENT LITERATURE AT A GLANCE Carol H. Woodward 166 NOTES, NEWS, AND COMMENT 167 THE LIBRARY'S SERVICES High school and university students, instructors, professors, research workers, specialists in a number of lines besides the growing of plants or teaching of botany, writers requiring specific information, nature students, garden club members, and other gardeners, both amateur and professional — these are the types of people who are making regular use of the library of The New York Botanical Garden. Landscape architects come to consult the many historic volumes as well as the numerous works on the culture of plants. Lawyers attempting to settle cases by means of botanical facts; pharmacists desiring to increase their knowledge of drug plants; engineers and contractors requiring, for instance, to know the weight of a cubic foot of soil; physicians seeking technical details of such toxic plants as poison ivy and species which produce hayfever, are not infrequent visitors in the library. Students and workers preparing for civil service examinations and camp counsellors needing a greater familiarity with plants in the wild spend many hours among the Botanical Garden's books. Desire for the wisdom of herbs, Indian lore, symbolism and history of plants, and flowers of the Bible, brings others to The New York Botanical Garden. Prospective travelers wishing to know what flowers and trees they will see and what gardens they may visit in this and in foreign countries come to the Botanical Garden's library. Representatives of industries which employ plant products get much source material useful to their manufacturing and information which they compile into educational booklets. Textile designers and artists in other fields are often seen poring over illustrations of plant forms. Other librarians come here to learn about the books which are best for botanical and horticultural reference. Addresses and programs of plant societies, garden clubs, and similar organizations are sought— and found— in the library; also information on where rare or unusual plants come from or can be obtained. There is scarcely a profession or a horticultural or botanical interest which can not be served in the library of The New York Botanical Garden. JOURNAL of THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN VOL. XXXIX JULY, 1938 No. 463 Results of Recent Research In the Qontrol of ( PestS On Trees By E. Porter Felt Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, Stamford, Conn. ' T'HE satisfactory control of insect pests depends to a large •*• degree upon an accurate knowledge of the life history and habits of the species under consideration. An important phase, in the case of a number of insects, is the means of distribution or dissemination. It was shown a number of years ago, for example, that although the female gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar, was unable to fly, there was an extensive dissemination by wind carriage of the recently hatched caterpillars, and until this was ascertained there were a number of puzzling situations of vital importance to those attempting to eradicate or control the pest. A somewhat analogous situation exists in relation to the European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus, now believed to be a most important agent in the dissemination of the Dutch elm disease. There is no doubt as to the factors in relation to the spread of the infection in the immediate vicinity of diseased trees, but there has been a question as to whether the beetles could carry the infection a considerable distance. It has been held by some that the beetles' flight was limited and apparently little consideration had been given to the possibilities of wind drift, in spite of the fact that swarms of related species have been known to be carried considerable distances by wind currents. 145 146 In an effort to throw light upon this problem the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories started a balloon release project in 1936, continuing it in 1937. During that period nearly ten thousand tag- bearing . toy balloons inflated with hydrogen to a minimum buoyancy were released at various points within fifty miles of New York City. There were nearly five hundred returns, and a number of drift records of thirty to forty- five miles an hour. They showed a decidedly easterly drift, both northerly and southerly, and relatively little drift directly north or westerly. The northeasterly drift gave fairly abundant returns in an area from Stamford, Conn., the point at which most balloons were released, nearly to Hartford, with a very considerable number landing along the south shore of Connecticut both in 1936 and 1937. This concentration along the south shore agrees very closely with the extension of the Dutch elm disease infected area, the number of diseased trees decreasing with the distance from the presumable center of infection, namely, an area in northern New Jersey. The northeasterly drift in 1937 resulted in one return from Popham Beach, Maine, a drift of 260 miles, several returns from the Cape Cod area, and twelve from well distributed points in Rhode Island. Returns in 1936 showed a distinct southeasterly drift with so many recoveries on the south shore of Long Island as to indicate a considerable drift out to sea. This latter is significant, since it shows that millions of beetles from the earlier badly infected area in New Jersey and southeastern New York must have been lost at sea. This probability is further suggested by the hosts of Japanese beetles in midsummer drift on both New Jersey and Long Island beaches. These latter insects, which are fairly large and metallic green in color, would be readily seen, while the elm bark beetle, which is brown or black, only a tenth of an inch long, would presumably escape notice in the tidal drift. It is believed the prevalence of easterly and southeasterly drift during much of the time when European elm bark beetles are in flight accounts to a considerable extent for the somewhat close limitation of the Dutch elm disease to the southern portion of New York and the coast line of Connecticut. The probabilities are that the spread of the disease will be considerably slower than heretofore because of the systematic destruction of diseased and weakly trees throughout the infected area, thus greatly reducing opportunities for these beetles to multiply. 147 Spruce Trees in Danger The appearance of the European spruce sawfly, Diprion poly-tomum, in widely separated sections of New England in 1935, is another illustration of the influence of wind drift upon the distribution of insects, since it is quite probable that this species drifted in considerable numbers from the Gaspe Peninsula over New England and northern New York. The extensive defoliations of spruce in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont localities in 1937 suggests that this insect may become a serious enemy of the widely planted Norway spruce. The larvae or false caterpillars are light green with five more or less complete white stripes. They are about seven- eighths of an inch long when fully grown and harmonize so closely with the foliage upon which they occur that it is unusually difficult to see the pests. They feed by preference on the old foliage, consequently badly injured trees present a tufted appearance because of the fringe of usually unharmed new needles on the tips of the branches. There are two generations in Maine, the larvae of the first occurring in late May and those of the second in August. There is presumably a third and possibly a fourth generation in southern New England and in southern New York State. This pest probably requires several years to develop a serious infestation locally, much depending upon climatic conditions. Spraying ornamental spruce with arsenate of lead while the larvae are small should give satisfactory control. Saving the Holly The holly leaf miner, Phytotnyca ilicis, seriously disfigures foliage of this beautiful evergreen, and prior to last summer no satisfactory method of control was known. Experiments with nicotine oil combination failed to give a satisfactory kill of the miners within the leaves. Spraying the newly developed foliage with arsenate of lead at the time the flies were abundant resulted in a rather quick kill and entirely satisfactory control. The date for Stamford was May 25, 1937. Arsenate of lead was used at the rate of 5 pounds to 100 gallons of water with a suitable spreader or sticker, such as S. S. S., at the rate of 1 pound to 100 gallons of spray. Equally satisfactory results were secured by outdoor applications to badly infested plants. 148 Difficulties with Dogwood Studies on the dogwood club gall were continued the past season and an unusual situation developed. Two gall midges were reared in almost equal numbers from a large number of galls and neither was identical with the species previously supposed to produce this deformation. Observations in 1936 showed that the yellowish maggots deserted the galls in September or early in October, and in 1936 sixty percent of the galls were empty October 15. The molasses nicotine combination similar to that used for the control of the box leaf miner appeared of some value in shaded localities, though not on dogwoods exposed to full sunlight. This gall producer becomes extremely abundant locally and seemingly displays a marked preference for the pink dogwood. Cutting and burning the galls before mid- September should give reasonably satisfactory control in small or somewhat isolated plantings. Azalea and Pine Borers The azalea stem borer, Oberca myops, hollows the tips of azalea branches and girdles rhododendron stems. The nearly grown grubs are yellowish, less than an inch long and distinctly swollen in the region just behind the head. Two years are required to complete the life cycle. The second summer the grubs work their way down to the roots and the beetles fly at about the time the plants are in bloom. Cutting and burning branches showing wilted or dead leaves is the most satisfactory control. The pitted ambrosia beetle, Corthylus puiictatissimus, produces similar conditions in rhododendron stems, except that the entire stem is affected and the closely placed series of small blackened galleries causes it to break readily at the surface of the ground. The Scotch pine borer, Hylobius radios, the grubs of which work at the base of Scotch pine in particular, is becoming more abundant. Infestation is indicated by a weakened yellowish foliage and stunted growth and at the base of the tree by masses of pitch- impregnated soil overlying the injured areas. It is possible that a considerable degree of protection can be secured by painting a band several inches wide of thick lime sulphur wash at the base of the tree and in addition spreading around the trunk of the tree a small amount of Go West, since this product is attractive to a number of the weevils and is very effective in killing the related black vine weevil, Brachyrhinus suhatus. so injurious to the roots of Taxus. 149 Scale Insects Scale insects continue to attract notice. A new mealy bug, the recently described Pseudococcus cuspidatae, was found somewhat abundant on yew, Taxus citspidata, at Greenwich, Conn. The area of occurrence and the degree of infestation has so far been limited. This mealy bug does not produce the masses of cottony matter hanging in festoons and loaded with eggs so characteristic of Comstock's mealy bug, Pseudococcus comstocki, which also occurs on Taxus. A species of Pulvinaria, believed to be new, has also been found upon Taxus and is reported as likely to become quite serious. Another new scale insect, an undescribed species of Ccrococcus, was found extremely abundant in a laurel planting at Haverford, Pennsylvania. This brown, somewhat star- shaped scale insect is related to the much more common Lecaniums. A somewhat abundant infestation of locust trees by a species of Lccaniodiaspis was also found at Haverford, Penn. The European beech scale, Cryptococcus fagi, has been abundant and injurious on beech at Hartford, Conn., for some years and is known to occur in relatively sparse numbers in several localities in southern Westchester County, New York. This insect produces conditions on beech favorable to invasion by a nectria and the combination is considered responsible for extensive killing of beech during recent years in Nova Scotia and parts of Maine. Fortunately, this deadly alliance has not, to our knowledge, become established farther south. Forcible spraying in midsummer with nicotine at the usual strength with two percent of a white or summer oil to serve as a spreader appears to give reasonably satisfactory control of the scale insect. The abundant occurrence of the English walnut scale, Aspidiotus juglaits- regiae, on Austrian pines in the Philadelphia area means that a new food plant has been adopted by this species, which occurs on a considerable variety of deciduous trees, such as walnut, linden, locust, maple, and box- elder, as well as on most fruit trees. An unusual infestation of the well known oyster- shell scale, Lcpidosaphes ulmi, occurred on beech in a woodland at Stock-bridge, Mass. The scale insect was so abundant as to kill many of the small branches. The infestation was easily recognized in midsummer by the somewhat general occurrence of twigs with dead leaves attached. 150 On Rhododendrons A European white fly, Dialeitrodes chittendenii, is becoming abundant and destructive on rhododendron in the greater New York area. It was first found in a Long Island nursery in 1934 and is considered to be a possibly destructive insect, since an infestation builds up rapidly. A two percent summer oil spray is said to give satisfactory control. Tested Sprays Experiments at the Laboratories the past two seasons with several colloidal arsenates of lead in which the arsenical was in a very fine suspension failed to indicate a markedly greater toxicity for these compounds as compared with the more usual arsenates of lead now on the market. One of these colloidal forms has been recommended at such great dilutions as 1 pound to 500 or 700 gallons of water. This treatment was found ineffective in controlling abundant infestations of cankerworms, although satisfactory results were obtained when the dosage was increased to approximately that recommended for the standard arsenates of lead. Extensive tests with derris powder or cube powder in rosin residue emulsions were conducted by a group of tree men, members of the National Shade Tree Conference, in co- operation with Dr. C. C. Hamilton of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The summary given by Dr. Hamilton shows that in the case of cankerworms there were two adverse and eleven satisfactory reports. While the reports on scale insects and red spiders were contradictory, good results were obtained against the tent caterpillars, fall webworms, catalpa sphinx caterpillars, spiny elm caterpillars, pear slugs, European spruce sawfly larvae, and currant worms, and fairly good results were obtained in the control of the larch case bearer, Japanese beetle, the Asiatic garden beetle and June bugs. Generally speaking, the results were reasonably good in the case of more susceptible species and not so favorable with pests possessing a higher resistance. 151 ( A Vha For ihe cAntateUr By Sarah V. Coombs SOME professional horticulturists think with moderately concealed scorn of the amateur and his or her— generally her— contribution to the science of gardening, especially as shown in flower shows. By amateur, I mean the one who grows plants with no help or only a moderate amount. It is true that the amateur's contribution to " straight" horticulture has not, as a rule, been outstanding. The daffodils, roses, gladioli, are often a sorry lot. Dahlias, for some reason, possibly that the man of the family is often responsible, may be good. Men specialize in growing flowers more than women do. Plain flower types such as zinnias and marigolds, when seen at a flower show, are probably fine. Yet on the whole, the standard is not very high so that the professional who often is good enough to act as judge does not expect much and awards prizes rather lavishly. He gives much time and judges with the utmost conscientiousness, going over each exhibit carefully, even when the whole class should rightfully be dismissed with a wave of the hand. How are we going to raise the standard of growing' and exhibiting in this country, never forgetting that amateurs are sometimes incipient scientists and may go far? The forward- looking professionals are hopeful, but the amateurs must feel the urge themselves, must jack themselves up or we shall not get very far. Yet they can be helped. Though good horticulture is professedly the aim of gardening, it is often lost in the maze of other interests. To say that for many amateurs it rests on the shaky foundation of the " Miniature Arrangements" in flower shows is pretty far- fetched, yet there is more than a grain of truth in this statement, for it is by means of such apparently unimportant and foolish lures that the person we want to influence is first attracted. The owner of a small garden is persuaded to put a miniature arrangement in a flower show. It looks easy. It isn't, for it is even more difficult to make a good design, with good color, in a tiny picture where everything is reduced to its simplest terms than in a large arrangement. It goes in, however, and perhaps because the exhibitor is something of an artist or because of the weirdness of much 152 " artistic" amateur judging, it gets a prize. Many clubs now have a class for novices in which they are pitted against those only who are as ignorant as they. In any case, the exhibitor is encouraged to try some of the other classes in the next show. This goes on for a year or two when— it would seem suddenly— the exhibitor's attention is held by the flowers themselves. Perhaps she has taken a course in Judging for Amateur Shows in which a large share is given to straight horticulture. In any case, she compares her flowers with those grown by others and the start is made. Just here is where others can help. Perhaps the exhibitor's eyes have been opened to the beauty and variety of daffodils in one of the big shows. The names of the classes mean nothing. What is a Barrii or an iitcomparabilis or a cyclamineus hybrid? Why, instead of the big trumpet daffodils which the florist sells under the name of jonquils, is the jonquil class filled with sweet- scented little clustered flowers? Most garden clubs now have horticultural chairmen whose duty it is to tell the members just such things, but botanic gardens, horticultural magazines and, above all, the scientists themselves can help the ignorant but eager amateur. When daffodils are in season, every person who can be induced, beaten, bribed or kidnapped should be taken to see one or more of the great glorious blooming spots and the different types should be pointed out. Once shown such a place, a springtime hereafter when those people miss that sight will be considered by them a springtime wasted. It is a rewarding task, for the amateurs are on the whole a rather meek and grateful lot. Will they not grow better daffodils hereafter? They should be helped In-classified lists of varieties suitable for the full and for the rather flat purse. If they grow one fine daffodil as a result, even that is something. How many amateurs see the flowering crabapples and cherries in our botanic gardens? Or the irises or the roses, the gladioli or the dahlias, the berried shrubs or the rhododendrons? The botanists are over- busy with their research and their classification, the horticulturists are hard at work planting all these lovely things, but the amateur needs their help. We are supposed to be a literate race, yet most of us hark back to our remote ancestors in learning more quickly and easily by 153 seeing. Perhaps we have read about the beauty- bush or the Louisiana irises or the dove- tree. We may have seen colored illustrations which are vivid and interesting but when we have once seen a glorious waterfall of the pink flowers of the Kolkwitzia or the strange tawny color of some of the irises, or especially, if we have seen the dove- tree's fluttering white " bird", we shall never forget them. The more flowers the amateur can see, the more likely he is to develop into a real horticulturist. In the mediaeval dimness of the early years of the century, when many facts had to be dug out painfully by the amateur, Bailey's " Cyclopedia of American Horticulture" was, to the writer of this, then an eager but entirely ignorant gardener, the lamp which lighted many midnight hours of study. Dr. Bailey's books are standards still and there are many others nowadays, yet we still must learn by seeing, by doing and by our mistakes. Having done it once, not again will this writer plant twenty- five different perennials in a bed 25 feet by 5, her only salvation having been that many of them never came up! Our amateur must learn, in one way if not in another, and guiding hands will save many a false step and many a time- wasting mistake. A Word to the Amateur This has been a plea to the scientist to help the amateur. Now a few words to the amateur herself. There are men's garden clubs now and more power to them. May they live long and prosper! Yet the rank amateur is more likely so far to belong to the " female sect." If you want to get anywhere, you must work. You must plant good stuff. That is rather easy. The catalogs are tempting and dramatic, and visions of splendid new marigolds and lupins and delphiniums and roses and shrubs fill the mind with delightful pictures. Having acquired and planted these treasures in suitable soil, it is awfully easy to forget them. Enthusiasm wanes as the thermometer climbs. It is so easy not to go out with the hose or the sprayer— I know just how easy— but remember that when somebody else's dahlias and late roses and new annuals are better than yours at the show, you are going to wish you had done what was needed. When the judges turn thumbs down on your exhibit because there are holes in the foliage or the flowers are not as big as they should be for that variety, it will be just too bad. 154 Since the path to horticulture is strewn with flower shows, a hint or two about preparing for them may not be out of place. Cut your flowers the night before and set in deep water in a cool place over night. Wrap a paper about your dahlias, your poppies, your heliotrope and your mignonette and burn the ends of the stems over a flame till a porous carbon is formed which will let the water enter. Cut your roses in bud, your poppies also. Plants with a milky juice will be helped by salt or ashes in the water which keeps the sap from hardening. A pail half- filled with damp sand and with chicken- wire over the top may be a good carrier for your flowers. Lay your dahlias in a long box if you don't want them to decapitate themselves. Wrap the open flowers of your gladioli in paper to hold them back till the buds open. If in a spring show, cut your tulips from 24 to 48 hours ahead of time and set in deep water, giving them time to decide whether to have a back bone or a " Hogarth line of beauty"! If they curve annoyingly but gracefully, use them in an arrangement. Cut red-or orange- cupped narcissi just before they open, as the sun fades the color, but let the sun bleach the white ones. When you get to the show, arrange your flowers if you have a chance. A collection may be made or spoiled by arrangement. Above all, have good flowers. Have something those fine professional horticulturists will really like to judge; and thus shall we who are amateurs win favor in their eyes, and whether our days are long in the land or not, we shall have had a grand time. cA cMother of Islands By H. H. Rusby ' I ' HE mangrove, which may be found at the edge of salt water •*- in tropical regions, has been well characterized as a " mother of islands." It also slowly extends the area of the land toward the ocean wherever it takes root. The principal mangrove of the coast and the islands off southeastern United States is Rhizophora Mangle L. Other species of essentially the same, though slightly different habit, occupy similar regions in other parts of the world. Torn loose by the waves during a storm, a small native mangrove shrub is carried away by the tide until it becomes stranded at some place where the water is shallow. Here it takes root and 155 develops into a large erect shrub or small tree. Eventually it bears flowers and fruits. After flowering, the mature pod does not fall, neither does it discharge its seed, but it remains closed and sometimes attached as long as a year, its stem continuing to grow indefinitely. The seed contained in the pod then germinates in situ, its root becoming extruded and turning downward, gradually increasing in thickness and strength as it elongates. When the root is about 12 or 15 inches long, the seedling becomes detached from the parent plant, and either becomes lodged in the mud directly below, or is carried away by wind or tide to some other point, where, if the water is shallow, the young root gets a foothold and draws up nourishment for the young growing plant. As the mangrove matures, it sends down adventitious roots from the under side of the branches, either vertically or at an angle. As these reach the water, and later the mud below, the branches, strengthened by this new support, and by others which develop later, extend themselves indefinitely, spreading outward in all directions. By continuation of this process, these adventitious roots often branching, the original plant develops into a miniature forest with hundreds and finally thousands of stem- like roots standing thickly in the shallow water, and so firmly anchored that they safely resist the action of wind and wave. Many of the leaves which fall become entangled in the roots and decay, thus making continual additions to the soil at the bottom. This same network of stems and roots catches and holds other floating vegetation which comes its way. When storms occur, stirring up the sand and earth beneath the water, more or less of this earthy material is caught in the network of vegetation, and it in turn becomes a resting place for further additions of the same kind. As the years go by, this mangrove growth, at first insignificant, may come to cover acres or even square miles, and a soil which at first barely showed above the surface at a single point becomes an island or an extension of the shore, where ultimately human habitations may be established. This is no fancy sketch of a process that is merely possible, but an accurate description of one that is now in operation in hundreds of places. It is not too much to say that much of the land now constituting the southwestern portion of the peninsula of Florida and the adjacent islands originated in this way. 156 The Recognition of Some Qommon ^ Native Trees < ® y Their J^ eaVeS By Harold N. Moldenke YV/ 777/ descriptions of the leaves of eight of the fifteen common native W trees which have been treated in previous numbers of the Journal* the year- around series of articles on identification of trees is continued in this issue. Leaves of the seven remaining trees zvill be described by Dr. Moldenke in u forthcoming number of the Journal. The series zvill be continued zvith an illustrated presentation of the flowers and fruits of these same trees by Dr. W. H. Camp. The photographs of the leaves in this and the next number, zvhich have been made by Miss Fleda Griffith, have all been taken at the same distance from the subject, and are reproduced here at approximately one- fifth natural size.— C. H. W. Sweet- gum { Liquidambar Styraciflua). The characteristic leaves of the sweet- gum render it one of the easiest of our native trees to identify, for no other tree in our flora possesses star- shaped leaves. Only with some of the maples could it remotely be confused, but the sweet- gum's leaves are less irregular in outline, are equipped with long petioles, and arranged on the twigs in alternate fashion instead of opposite in pairs. They are fragrant when bruised and turn to a deep crimson color in the autumn. The blades, which are three to nine inches in diameter, are mostly broader than long, and they vary from almost truncate to slightly-heart- shaped at the base. Smooth and shining above, the leaves are often pubescent beneath in the axils of the larger veins. The three to seven deeply cut, sharply pointed lobes are surprisingly uniform and regular. Their margins are evenly serrate with fine, sharp, gland- tipped teeth. The main venation is palmate— that is, the principal veins issue from a single point at the base of the leaf from where they spread outward somewdiat in the manner of the fingers of one's hand. American Linden ( Tiiia americana). Of the dozen or more lindens found in the eastern United States, this one is perhaps the most common in our immediate region, where it is frequently called either basswood or whitewood. The leaves, which are comparatively large, occur in alternate fashion on the twigs. Unlike * Trees in Profile by Forman T. McLean, Dec. 1937; Bark and Buds to Identify Some Native Trees in Winter by E. J. Alexander, March and April 1938. 157 those of the sweet- gum, however, they are not arranged spirally, but are borne on directly opposite sides of the twigs in a distichous The sweet'gum ( above) is the only native tree with definitely star'shaped leaves. The base of each leaf of the American linden ( below) is inequilateral. 158 or two- ranked fashion. A twig of sweet- gum will not lie flat on the table, because the leaves issue from all sides of it, but a twig of the linden will lie perfectly flat, with every leaf in its natural position. The leaves are simple and comparatively short- petiolate, thick- textured when mature, smooth and dark dull green above, paler beneath and also smooth except for tufts of rusty- brown hairs in the axils of the prominent veins. Broadly ovate in outline, the leaves are usually about five to six inches long and two to five inches wide. The apex is very abruptly acuminate or prolonged into a short, sharp point. The base is mostly heart- shaped or more rarely truncate and is conspicuously oblique or inequilateral. The margins are rather coarsely serrate with incurved glandular teeth. The venation is pinnate— that is, like the branches of a feather, except at the very base on the longer side. Silver Maple ( Acer saccharinum). The maples belong in that comparatively small group of native trees whose leaves are arranged in pairs opposite each other on the twigs. The pairs, as can be plainly seen in the upper illustration, lie at right angles to each other, so that a perfect mosaic is formed when the branch is viewed from above. Normally each blade is thus exposed fully to the sunlight so necessary to the growth of the tree. The slender, often drooping, red petioles are four to five inches in length. If the point of a compass were placed in the center of the mid- vein of a silver maple leaf, a circle drawn would touch the tip and base of the leaf and would pass just inside the tips of the two main lateral lobes. Thus, though the lobes are slender, the blade itself is nearly orbicular in outline, usually about four to six inches long and six to seven inches wide. Even at maturity the leaf- blade is thin- textured, being smooth and pale green above and silvery- glaucous and more or less pubescent below, especially when young. Though the leaves are definitely palmately five-veined, often only three of the lobes are distinct, the lower pair being much smaller than the others. At the base the leaves are truncate or slightly heart- shaped. The lobes are rather narrow, coarsely and irregularly dentate or incised, sharply acuminate at the apex, and separated from each other by very acute sinuses. The terminal lobe usually has a small divergent secondary lobe on each side at about the middle. Sugar Maple ( Acer saccharum). Of the dozen or more maples of the eastern states, the sugar maple and silver maple ( described above) are perhaps the commonest in this area, although the red 159 and Carolina maples are also locally abundant. The individual lobes of the leaf of the sugar maple, shown in the upper left- The twig at the right shows the typical arrangement of maple leaves, as exemplified by the silver maple. Above, at the left, is a single leaf of the native sugar maple. Similar in form but different in texture are the leaves of the buttonwood, shown below at both the left and right. 160 hand corner of the illustration, are much broader than those of the silver maple. The blades, which are palmately three- to five-veined and three- to five- lobed, are usually about three to six inches in both breadth and length. They are rather thin at maturity, smooth on both surfaces, dark green and dull above, paler beneath, and heart- shaped or truncate at the base. The broad lobes are sparingly and irregularly sinuate- toothed, and both lobes and teeth are sharply acuminate at the apex— that is, they are drawn out into an elongated point. The sinuses between the lobes are broadly rounded, causing the leaf- surface to appear more or less wavy and the lobes to overlap when a leaf is laid flat for photographing. Buttonwood ( Platanus occidentalis). The leaves of the button-wood, also known as the buttonball, plane- tree, or sycamore, resemble somewhat those of the maples, but may be distinguished at once by their thicker texture, the hairiness of the young leaves, and their spirally alternate arrangement on the twigs. Both a single leaf and a twig are shown in the illustration. The conically hollowed petiole- base is also characteristic, completely enclosing and hiding the new bud for the next year, instead of each bud being borne openly in the axil of the leaf, as is the case with the maples and most of our other trees. The petioles are stout and about three to five inches long, which means they are usually shorter than the blade. The firm- textured leaf- blades are four to nine inches wide ( or much broader on vigorous shoots) and measure slightly less in length. Shallowly three- to five- lobed and palmately veined, they vary at the base from truncate or slightly heart- shaped to wedge- shaped, like the one at the right in the picture. When young, they are densely floccose- pubescent with whitish branched hairs, especially beneath, but they become nearly glabrous on maturity except for a slight pubescence on the principal veins beneath. One leaf on the left in the illustration and a small one on the right are shown in reverse. The leaves vary greatly in shape, even on a single tree, though the lobes are always broad, mostly large, and acuminate at the apex. The margins may be sinuate- dentate with rather remote acuminate teeth, as in the photograph, or entire and merely undulate. Sassafras ( Sassafras variifoliuin). Unmistakable is the sassafras tree in leaf. No other tree in our local flora has leaves which vary so conspicuously on the same branch from entire- margined 161 to mitten- shaped and even plainly three- lobed! Also, none of our other trees has leaves which are mucilaginous when chewed, and The sassafras bears three types of leaves on a single branch— entire, mitten-shaped, and three- lobed. 162 these have the distinctive sassafras flavor. The leaves are spirally alternate in their arrangement on the twig, and their blades are ovate or obovate in outline, four to six inches long, two to four inches wide, and plainly cuneate ( wedge- shaped) at the base. Smooth, bright green above, they are glaucescent and smooth or slightly pubescent beneath, becoming less pubescent in age. Their thin texture is revealed in the impression of the twig through several of the leaves in the illustration. The lobes, when present, are broadly ovate or elliptic in shape and acute at the apex, with sinuses which are broad and rounded. The petioles are very short and slender, usually only j4 to lyi inches in length. The venation is pinnate, the principal veins arising from different positions along the midrib, although the veins leading to the lobes are mostly stronger and more conspicuous than the rest. Tulip- tree ( Liriodendron Tulipifera). Another tree whose foliage is unmistakable is the tulip- tree or yellow poplar. The broad notch at the apex gives each leaf a squarish or saddle- shaped appearance, which prevents an observer from confusing it with the leaf of any other tree in the region. The blades vary from three to six inches in length and width and are borne on long petioles which are spirally alternate on the twigs. At the base they vary from slightly heart- shaped or wedge- shaped ( as in the picture) to truncate or rounded. Ordinarily four- lobed, the blades sometimes have two small additional basal lobes. At maturity the leaves are rather thin in texture. They are smooth and lustrous above and of a paler dull green beneath. A few of them turn color as soon as the flowering season is over the last of June, so that by early autumn an entire tree is brilliant yellow. Sour- gum ( Nyssa sylvatica). This tree, which is also known as tupelo or pepperidge, is most common along streams and about the margin of ponds, although it may be found also on hillsides and in abandoned pastures, where its seeds have been dropped by passing birds. Its glossy leaves are uniformly smaller than any of those thus far discussed. Though they are spirally alternate, they are mostly crowded at the ends of short lateral branches, or more remotely scattered on vigorous shoots. In shape the blades vary from elliptic to obovate- elliptic or obovate. They are two to five inches long, rather thick in texture at maturity, dark green and very lustrous above, and glaucescent and smooth beneath or more or less pubescent along the veins. At the apex the leaves are rather abruptly acute, while they are cuneate at the base. The 163 petioles are one- quarter to one and one- half inches long and are usually fringed on the margins. The' leaves turn bright scarlet on the upper surface in rather early autumn before they fall. The tulip- tree ( left) is \ nown by ihe indentation at the tip of each leaf; the sour- gum ( right) by its glossy, clustered, entire- margined leaves. 164 Reviews of Recent ( Books ( All publications reviewed here may be consulted in the Library of The New York Botanical Garden.) Good Reading for Gardeners THE GARDENER'S DAY BOOK. Richardson Wright. 384 pages, indexed. J. B. Lippincott Co. 1938. $ 2.50. " The question of what inveterate gardeners do when they are not gardening can be easily answered— they read about it. . You may know a good gardener by the fact that, although his feet are set firmly on earth, his interests range without limit through space and time. Within the bounds of his particular world and beyond them, he is constantly widening his vision, polishing his imagination and heightening his experience. That is the reason I, who vowed never to write another gardening book, am hereby throwing my good resolution out the window. Each year piles experience on experience and vision on vision. The garden becomes crowded not alone with plants but with gardeners also, some of them in the flesh— friendly, helpful and generous-others mere ghosts from out the dim past. Across these pages they will walk. . . . ." Thus speaks Richardson Wright in " The Gardener's Day Book." Praises be that this ever popular flower show judge, toastmaster, lecturer, editor, philosopher, historian and humorist has stolen time again to jot down and present another collection of assorted juicy bits of garden gossip sprinkled generously with witty thumb- nail sketches gleaned from his own rich storeroom of readings, reminiscences and present- day cronies. This Day Book follows the form and format of the famous Gardener's Bed Books— for each of the 365 days there is a selection of some 200 words terminating with a daily reminder such as " Oil the mole traps. You'll be needing them soon," or " Be stingy with water on Christmas Cactus and the buds won't fall off." At the end of each month Mr. Wright just can't keep within bounds so he throws in for good measure an extra 2,000- word sketch and calls it the Long Piece—" At the Tavern of the Old Taxonomist" is his choice for the close ot January. It is as difficult to present a true picture of the rich contents of this book as it is to predict what Mr. Wright will think of next. However, if you enjoy a bit of frivolity mixed iii with a goodly measure of gardening common sense you will not be disappointed when you read " The Gardener's Day Book." ELIZABETH C. HALL. On Flower Shows FLOWER SHOWS AND HOW TO STAGE THEM. Adele S. Fisher. Illustrated with photographs. Richard R. Smith, New York. 1938. $ 5. This book has much to recommend it. For one thing, it is, I believe, the first one to offer so complete a picture of flower show procedure, though there have been a number of pamphlets with suggestions. It is an agreeable book to look at, many of the pictures being reproductions of prize- winning flower arrangements, wall- gardens, shadow box groups, garden borders, etc. Mrs. Fisher has been for years an intelligent and earnest worker for flower shows and was instrumental in starting the first garden center, that of Hackensack. She has been interested in civic planting and roadside improvement. Her influence is far- reaching. Because of her good work, I find it difficult and ungracious to say that I think her book nrght have been better. There are many good suggestions. One, especially, is the use of a card catalogue for flower- committee chairmen, each card containing a list of the duties of the office, with an implication as to what is not expected, so that departments will not overlap. I find especially helpful the suggestion for a clean- up chairman and for a flower distribution chairman. Having helped with many flower shows, I know that cleaning up after several days of hard work, with the excitement all past, is one 165 of the dullest and most difficult jobs imaginable, and the idea of having a fresh, new individual in charge, one who is not limp and tired out, is most attractive. Then the suggestion that the flowers for the sick should be carefully arranged in separate boxes brings to memory large rather messy bunches of lovely flowers, gathered together hastily after the show and sent to hospitals. How much more the flowers would mean to sick people if they reached them carefully laid in suitable boxes, neatly wrapped and tied. I do not agree with Mrs. Fisher that artists make the best flower show judges; that is, unless they have also a knowledge of flowers. Line, color, balance, proportion are all most important but there is, in work with flowers, something further, a technique impossible to be understood by one unacquainted with the growth of flowers. Many will not agree with me but my conclusion has been reached after many years of judging with many delightful artists. Since I am supposed to be horticultural watchdog for a sizeable group of garden club members, I shall have to do a little barking. With all its good points, I find the book deficient in one important particular. It all comes back to the question, " What are flower shows for?" To interest garden club members? To attract the community? To start children working ? To stage a beautiful plan ? All these are worthy obj ects, yet our real object, in show and in garden club, should be to raise the standard of horticulture, to induce people to grow better flowers than they ever did before. Suggestions for simple, inexpensive, practical ways of making fences, backgrounds and seats for flower shows are interesting — but are they horticulture? I find little emphasis laid on the flowers themselves, few classes for specimens in the schedules, except in the dahlia one and in some of the school children's work. People can learn much from flower show gardens and there are gardens galore, but not enough importance has been given to the flowers. Now, having barked rather fiercely, may I finish by saying that Mrs. Fisher's book will help many people in their flower show plans and that, if those people will give " straight" horticulture at least a fifty- fifty chance, all will be well. SARAH V. COOMBS. Ferns and Their Lore OUR FERNS, THEIR HAUNTS, HABITS AND FOLKLORE. Willard Nelson Clute. 388 pages, illustrated, indexed. Frederick A. Stokes Co. 1938. $ 4. This is a very welcome revision of the excellent book, " Our Ferns in Their Haunts," which has been out of print for some time. Eighty- four species and their various forms found east of the Rockies and north of the Gulf States are included. In this edition there are additional species described, the illustrations and descriptions have been much extended, and the nomenclature has been brought up to date. There are several short, concise keys: two descriptive types, one for the genera and one for species in each genera, and one with illustrations of sporangia. We thankfully note that the well established common names have not been changed and that synonyms for the scientific are given. The author has, however, given a number of the less common forms new popular names. He is conservative in his divisions of species, as in Pellaea atro purpurea, where he does not recognize glabella as a species, but rather as a form. The many quotations of poetry and the references to the folklore and distribution in other countries add much spice to the fine descriptions. " Our Ferns" will make a valuable addition to the reference library of the fern student or hobbyist. FARIDA A. WILEY. The Proper Care of Trees PRACTICAL TREE SURGERY. Millard F. Blair. 297 pages, illustrated, indexed. Christopher Publishing House, Boston. 1938. $ 4. " Practical Tree Surgery" by Millard F. Blair is an attractively printed, well illustrated volume, whose nearly 300 pages deal with a wide variety of topics relating to trees and tree care, about one-half of it being" devoted to brief discussions of many insects and plant diseases. The matter relating to tree surgery, using the word in its restricted and proper sense, occupies less than 100 pages and deals with such subjects as tree structure, trimming, planting and pruning, bracing, cavity work, feeding, moving, grafting and budding, propagation by cuttings and layering, pollination of flowers, flower parts, and a somewhat unusual chapter on ropes and knots. 166 The large number of subjects treated compels brevity, in some cases at the expense of clarity. The book appears to have been written with the needs of the expert in mind and is obviously western in its discussions of insects and diseases in particular. It is therefore of greatest service to tree men on the Pacific slope. E. P. FELT. Magnificent Gardens GARDENS AND GARDENING. Edited by F. A. Mercer. 132 pages, illustrated with photographs and plans. The Studio, New York and London. 1938. $ 4.50. While a British flavor and continental air are bound to enter a gardening annual which is published in England, the seventh issue of Gardens and Gardening contains enough American photographs and sufficient practical material for any land, to be of decided interest and usefulness to American gardeners. Abundantly and beautifully illustrated, the volume includes, among its main topics, Planning and Replanning the Garden ( with a dozen scale drawings) ; Plans by Leading Garden Architects; Colour in the Garden; Pools, Ponds and Streams and How to Use Them; and Rocks, Their Meaning and Use in Japanese Gardens. Of no less interest are the notes and illustrations of such garden and landscape features as substitutes for rhododendrons, intimate gardens, boundaries, and numerous other topics, with special emphasis placed on the garden of small or medium size. The book gives one the feeling that every garden is magnificent and every shrub and flower is superb. CAROL H. WOODWARD. Picture Books HARDEN BULBS IN COLOR. J. Horace McFarland, R. Marion Hatton, and Daniel J. Foley. 296 pages, illustrated in color, indexed. Macmillan, New York. 1938. $ 3.50. ANNUALS FOR YOUR GARDEN. Daniel J. Foley. 96 pages, illustrated in color, indexed. Macmillan, New- York, 1938. $ 1. When a fair collection of catalogs, most of which are free for the asking, will provide an abundance of colored pictures of garden flowers, one wonders why these same pictures are collected into books. But they are— here is one on bulbs and one on annuals— and people seemed to like the earlier one on garden flowers enough to induce a publisher to put out more. Their chief advantage is to enable the beginning gardener to select ( with high hopes) the flowers which are so brilliantly pictured, or to make quick identifications of plants which spring up without benefit of labels. Information and simple cultural directions are given for each plant illustrated. The book of annuals emphasizes the All- America selections. The bulb book contains pictures of several indoor subjects as well as of hardy garden material. In view of the recent warnings against such tulips as the Rembrandts, which are likely to spread their virus disease through the garden, it seems a bit out of place in speaking of the " broken" tulips for the authors to remark: " Gardeners are missing much pleasure by not growing more of them." However, the books on the whole are well handled, and no doubt serve a good purpose in acquainting their purchasers pictorially with many colorful garden flowers. CAROL H. WOODWARD. Current Literature* At a Glance By Carol H. Woodward Ferns. The May- June issue of Torreya will be of special interest to anyone visiting the Pine Barrens of New Jersey this summer, for Martha H. Hollinshead has described the ferns to be found in that region. City Trees. How a program for the planting of street trees in New York City is now being carried out is explained by E. L. D. Seymour in the City Gardens Club Bulletin. By arrangement with Anthony V. Grande in the Park Department offices in the Central Park Arsenal, a single tree may be planted at the request of an individual in metropolitan New York for a cost of about fifty dollars. In other sections and for trees in quantity, the cost of each specimen becomes less. * All publications mentioned here— and many others— may be found in the Library of The Botanical Garden, in the Museum Building. 167 Florida Trees. Ornamental trees of Florida are described by Harold Mowry in Bulletin 95 of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Gainesville, Fla. Trough Gardening. A new type of receptacle for growing alpine plants is described by Dr. R. C. C. Clay in Gardening Illustrated ( London) May 28. Old stone troughs, some of them dating back 200 years, are used. Dr. Clay exhibited a number of them at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this year. Phlox. Dwarf species and varieties of phlox are described in the May 14 number of Lexington Leaflets. A score of named color forms of Phlox subulata are listed. Storage. Brief, up- to- date directions for the commercial storage of fruits, vegetables, and florists* stocks are given in the revised edition of U. S. D. A. Circular 278, which is obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C, for 10 cents. Walls. A series of articles on plants to use in wall gardens, written by C. W. Wood, is running in The American Nurseryman this summer. Nuttalt. The travels and the scientific collections of Thomas Nuttall are the subject of an extensive article in Bartonia, the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Botanical Club, No. 18. Material which had been prepared by Willard W. Eggleston prior to his death late in 1935 was incorporated in the final work by Francis W. Pennell. Franklinia. " A Supplementary Chapter on Franklinia alatamaha" has been written by Francis Harper and Arthur N. Leeds for Bartonia ( No. 19). It records some recent expeditions in search of Bartram's famed " Gordonia"— but still the shrub's disappearance from the wild remains a mystery. Australia. A new handbook, paper-covered and illustrated in color, lists 86 common Australian wild flowers. Soybeans. A new green vegetable for the American table is forthcoming through the careful selection and use of soybeans. A study of soybeans for the American diet has been made by Sybil WoodrufL and Helen Klaas, published as Bulletin 443 of the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. The mature beans give promise as a low- cost source of protein in the diet, while the green beans may be picked and cooked immediately or preserved by freezing for later use. Flour is also made from soybeans. " Broken" Tulips. Specific answers are given to some of the questions frequently asked regarding the " breaking" of tulips. in an article by Frank P. McWhorter and Philip Brierley in the Florists' Exchange for June 11. Two opposing viruses are involved, they explain, in the color distortions in tulips which give rise to " broken" flowers. Broken tulips may infect healthy stock in a field. The virus may be carried from the bulbs of Lilium candidum or L. tigrinu » t, and the most common cause for the spread of the disease in large plantings is the presence of the potato and peach aphids. The disease does not show until the year after the infection. Parrot tulips do not belong to the " broken" class, but Rembrandts do. This means that a grower who wishes to maintain healthy stock should destroy all tulips of the Rembrandt and similar types, as they are diseased. Gardening. Three of the outstanding practical articles in Real Gardening for June are " Sprays and Dusts for Garden Troubles'' by L. C. Chadwick, " What Makes a Good Rock Garden" by Marcel Le Piniec, and " The Needs of a Native Plant Garden" by the editor, Robert S. Lemmon. Among other topics of the month are lilacs, lilies, sedums, irises, eriogonums, and vegetables. Arthur Her-rington writes especially for garden club members on " Just How to Organize a Flower Show." Notes, Neivs, and Comment From England. Professor Sir Albert C. Seward, botanist, formerly Master of Downing College and Vice- Chancellor of Cambridge University, was a visitor at The New York Botanical Garden on May 25 and was a guest of staff members at lunch. Professor Seward is well known for his work on fossil plants and particularly in this country for his book, " Plant Life Through the Ages." 168 Scholarship Students. Working at The New York Botanical Garden this summer on scholarships are Dr. Margaret Fulford from the University of Cincinnati, who is spending two months on the liverwort genus Bazzania; Edna Kobs of Blackburn College in Virginia, doing a month's research on sugar; Joseph Allerton of New York University and Betty Water-bury of New Jersey College for Women, both working under Dr. A. B. Stout for a month; and Josephine McAllister, a Columbia graduate student, who is continuing her studies on diseases of Opuntia with a month of special work under Dr. B. O. Dodge. During the spring, Oswaldo Lourenso spent a month with Dr. Dodge on a scholarship making illustrations and cultures of the pink bread- mold, Neurospora. Laboratory. Mrs. Mary Bartley Schmidt came to the Garden July 1 from the University of Missouri to do four months of special laboratory work on the nutrition of roots under the direction of Dr. William J. Robbins. Summer Studies. Dr. Ernest Nailor, Assistant Professor of Botany at the University of Missouri, is at the Botanical Garden this summer doing some research on vegetative propagation. John Middleton, a graduate student at Missouri, spent two weeks here in June doing some special work in mycology. Prize- winners. A group of daylily seedlings exhibited by The New York Botanical Garden at the headquarters of the Horticultural Society of New York June 20 and 21 received a gold medal. Other prize displays included five stalks of Lilium candidum, another group of lilies, and a group of campanulas shown by Mrs. Helen M. Fox; a standard hydrangea exhibited by Mrs. Christian R. Holmes; and a bowl of cut clematis hybrids from the gardens of J. E. Spingarn. Returned. Dr. A. C. Smith returned to New York and the Garden early in June after a nine- months' trip exploring in South America, during which he gathered specimens from unknown territory far in the interior of British Guiana. Visitors. Dr. H. H. Whetzel of Cornell University spent two days at the Botanical Garden in June identifying some fungus hosts from Santo Domingo. Dr. Frank Egler of Syracuse University worked for a day in the oriental herbarium. New Books. Among the books which have recently been acquired by the Library are several from the Stanford University Press. " Alaska Wild Flowers" by Ada White Sharpies fills a need among northern travelers with many good photographs illustrating its 156 pages of descriptions. " Northern Rocky Mountain Trees and Shrubs" by J. E. Kirk-wood, with its complete descriptions, in systematic order, and its photographs of plants and drawings of floral and leaf parts, has been a standard work ever since its publication in 1930. John L. Ridgway's " Scientific Illustration" is an indispensable work for one who needs to know the methods, technique, styles, and codes to be used in illustrating scientific works. " The Trees of Yosemite'' by Mary Curry Tresidder is illustrated with 34 block linoleum prints by Della Taylor Hoss. Chapters on ten explorers of the nineteenth century are contained in " Naturalists of the Frontier" by Samuel Wood Geiser, published by the Southern Methodist University Press. Biographical notes on many others are provided in an appendix. Genetics. Professor Edmund W. Sinnott of Barnard College, a member of the Botanical Garden's Board of Managers, is to be transferred to Columbia University's new laboratory of genetics for research on growth and inheritance. Beginning July 1, Dr. Sinnott is dividing his time between the college and the new laboratory, where, after two years, he expects to devote all his time to the botanical phases of the work. Traveler. Dr. Carl Skottsberg, Director of the Botanical Garden at Goteborg, Sweden, stopped at The New York Botanical Garden June 9 on his way to Hawaii, where he will do three months of research, returning home to Sweden via New Zealand. Alaskan Flora. Dr. Eric Hulten of Lund University, Sweden, spent two weeks in June at the Botanical Garden here working on the flora of Alaska in the herbarium. Grapes. Dr. A. B. Stout went to Geneva, N. Y., June 15 to continue his work in the breeding of hardy seedless grapes. THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN BOARD OF MANAGERS I. ELECTIVE MANAGERS Until 1939: ARTHUR M. ANDERSON ( Treasurer), CLARENCE LEWIS, E. D. MERRILL, HENRY DE LA MONTAGNE ( Secretary and Assistant Treasurer), WILLIAM J. ROBBINS, and J. E. SPINGARN. Until 1040: HENRY DE FOREST BALDWIN ( Vice- president), CHILDS FRICK, ALLYN R. JENNINGS, HENRY LOCKHART, JR., D. T. MACDOUGAL, and JOSEPH R. SWAN ( President). Until 1941: MARSHALL FIELD, MRS. ELON HUNTINGTON HOOKER, JOHN L. MERRILL ( Vice- president), COL. ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, H. HOBART PORTER, and RAYMOND H. TORREY. II. EX- OFFICIO MANAGERS FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA, Mayor of the City of New York. ROBERT MOSES, Park Commissioner. HENRY C. TURNER, President of the Board of Education. III. APPOINTIVE MANAGERS TRACY E. HAZEN, appointed by the Torrey Botanical Club. R. A. HARPER, SAM F. TRELEASE, EDMUND W. SINNOTT, and MARSTON T. BOGERT, appointed by Columbia University. GARDEN STAFF WILLIAM J. ROBBINS, P H . D., SC. D Director H. A. GLEASON, P H . D Assistant Director and Head Curator HENRY DE LA MONTAGNE Assistant Director A. B. STOUT, P H . D Curator of Education and Laboratories FRED J. SEAVER, P H . D., SC. D Curator BERNARD O, DODGE, P H . D Plant Pathologist JOHN HENDLEY BARNHART, A. M., M. D Bibliographer PERCY WILSON Associate Curator ALBERT C. SMITH, P H . D Associate Curator HAROLD N. MOLDENKE, P H . D Associate Curator ELIZABETH C. HALL, B. S Librarian H. H. RUSBY, M. D Honorary Curator of the Economic Collections FLEDA GRIFFITH Artist and Photographer ROBERT S. WILLIAMS Research Associate in Bryology E. J, ALEXANDER Assistant Curator and Curator of the Local Herbarium W. H. CAMP, P H . D Assistant Curator CLYDE CHANDLER, A. M Technical Assistant ROSALIE WEIKERT Technical Assistant FREDERICK KAVANAGH, M. A Technical Assistant CAROL H. WOODWARD, A. B Editorial Assistant THOMAS H. EVERETT, N. D. HORT Horticulturist G. L. WITTROCK, A. M Docent ' OTTO DEGENER, M. S Collaborator in Hawaiian Botany ROBERT HAGELSTEIN Honorary Curator of Myxomycetes ETHEL ANSON S. PECKHAM. . Honorary Curator, Iris and Narcissus Collections ARTHUR J. CORBETT Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds A. C PFANDER Assistant Superintendent MEMBERSHIP IN THE GARDEN Established as a privately endowed institution, aided partially by City appropriations, The New York Botanical Garden is dependent for its progress largely upon benefactions and memberships. Through these means, though young as botanical gardens go, it has become the third largest institution of its kind, its library, herbarium, and horticultural collections ranking among the finest and most complete in any country. Membership in The New York Botanical Garden, therefore, means promotion of scientific research in botany and the advancement of horticultural interests. Scientifically, the Garden is able to serve as a clearing- house of information for students and botanists all over the world; horticulturally, it often serves as a link between the plant explorer or breeder and the gardening public. Through memberships and benefactions, provision is made at the Botanical Garden for the training of young scientists and student gardeners; hundreds of new books are added annually to the library, which is open daily to the public for research and reading; free exhibits are maintained in the museum, the greenhouses, and gardens, and lectures, courses, and free information in botany and gardening are given to the public. Each individual member of the Garden receives: ( 1) A copy of the Journal every month. ( 2) A copy of Addisonia twice a year, each number illustrated with eight colored plates of unusual plants, accompanied by complete descriptions and other pertinent information. ( 3) A share of surplus plant material of interesting or new varieties whenever it is distributed. ( 4) Announcements of special floral displays at the Garden from season to season. ( 5) Credit, to the extent of the membership fee paid, toward courses of study offered by the Garden. A limited number of garden clubs are accepted as affiliates. The privileges of affiliation are a subscription to the Journal, announcements of displays, a specially conducted tour of the grounds and greenhouses, and a lecture once a year by a selected member of the staff. Fellowships or scholarships for practical student- training in horticulture or for botanical research may be established by bequest or other benefaction either in perpetuity or for a definite period. The classes of membership and types of benefaction are as follows: Annual Member Sustaining Member Garden Club Affiliation Fellowship Member Member for Life Fellow for Life Patron Benefactor annual fee annual fee annual fee for club annual fee single contribution single contribution single contribution single contribution $ 10 25 25 100 250 1,000 5,000 25,000 Contributions to the Garden may be deducted from taxable incomes. The following is a legally approved form of bequest: I hereby bequeath to The New Tor\ Botanical Garden incorporated under the Laws of New York, Chapter 285 of 1891, the sum of . Conditional bequests may be made with income payable to donor or any designated beneficiary during his or her lifetime. All requests for further information should be addressed to The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, New York, N. Y. |
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