MussouRI IBROTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN VOLUME XXXVIII 1950 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI PUBLISHED MONTHLY EXCEPT JULY AND AUGUST, BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $2.50 A YEAR Missouri BoTANIG&- G@AaRDEN LIBRARY MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARD HN BULL ow. CONTENTS Sixty-first Annual Report of the Director Volume XXXVIII January, 1950 Naa Cover: Sleet storm at the Garden. Photograph by Claude Johnston. Editorial Office: Missouri Botanical Garden, 2315 Tower Grove Avenue, St. Louis 10, Missouri. Published monthly except July and August by the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Subscription price: $2.50 a year, Office of publication: 306 E. Simmons Street, Galesburg, Illinois. Entered as second-class matter January 26, 1942, at the post-office at Gales- burg, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Please: Do not discard a copy of the Bulletin. If you have no further use for yours pass it along to a friend or return it to the Garden. Return postage will be guaranteed. SOME FACTS ABOUT THE GARDEN The Missouri Botanical Garden was opened to the public by Mr. Henry Shaw about 1860. From that date until his death in 1889 it was maintained under his personal direction. Although popularly known as “Shaw’s Garden” the name Missouri Botanical Garden was chosen by Mr. Shaw and he definitely indicated that he wished it called by that name. The Garden passed at his death into the hands of a Board of Trustees, designated in Mr. Shaw’s will, and the Board so constituted, exclusive of certain ex-officio members, is self-perpetuating. By a further provision of the will the immedi- ate direction of the Garden is vested in a Director, appointed by the Board. The Garden receives no support from city or state but is maintained almost exclusively from the estate left by Henry Shaw. Since 1939 many Garden Clubs and interested individuals have contributed to a “Friends of the Garden Fund” which is used in developing the new Arboretum, located at Gray Summit, Mo. The Arboretum (1) serves as a source of plants, trees and shrubs for the city Garden; (2) affords areas for gradually establishing a pinetum, a wild-flower reservation and various other features on a scale not possible in the city; (3) provides greenhouses for some 40,000 orchid plants. The city Garden comprises 75 acres, where about 12,000 species of plants are grown, both out of doors and under glass. It is open every day in the year except New Year’s Day and Christmas; week days, 8:00 a. m. until 7:00 p. m.; Sundays, 10:00 a. m. until 7:00 p.m. The greenhouses are closed every day at 5:00 p. m. The main entrance to the Garden is at Tower Grove and Flora Place, on the Sarah bus line (No. 42). The Tower Grove bus (No. 21), direct from downtown, passes within three blocks of the main entrance. + te i “a & < Re «= tru. S_ > ——_ a gee Cactus and Succulent Display in window of the Boatmen’s National Bank Missour1 Botanical Garden Bulletin Vol. XXXVIII JANUARY, 1950 No. 1 SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR As is customary in the January issue of the BULLETIN, the Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden has the pleasure of presenting to the Board of Trustees and Friends of the Garden a report of the chief events and activities at the Garden during 1949: BOATMEN’s BANK FEATURES THE GARDEN During August the windows of the Boatmen’s National Bank Building attracted wide attention when the Missouri Botanical Garden was featured. Each of the eight windows on the ground floor of the Bank aimed to show a special Garden activity which was explained by large printed posters. The window devoted to plant research, for instance, contained coal-balls and rocks in which plants had been embedded for millions of years, this illustrating the work being done by the paleobotanists (fossil botanists) in deciphering the story of plants throughout the ages. The same window displayed ears and stalks of exotic corn; the classification and origin of corn is another research subject at the Garden. A collection of mounted herbarium specimens ex- emplified taxonomic research, and a printed poster told the story of the herbarium and its uses. Another window represented a desert scene, with an oil painting of a western desert as a background and the foreground planted with cacti and desert plants of which the Garden has a notabie collection. The orchid window always attracted a crowd, for here was demonstrated the growing of orchid plants from seedlings in flasks to mature plants bearing gorgeous flowers. Fresh-blooming plants were delivered to the Boatmen’s Bank weekly. In the “conservation” window there was a landscape model showing water running over miniature hills into valleys, to illustrate the destructive effect of falling rain when not controlled by proper conservation practice— a matter of investigation at the Garden Arboretum. Horticultural research was depicted by two large charts of rose bushes, with graphic directions for pruning. The window devoted to Henry Shaw (1) Ne MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN and the Garden contained a portrait of Shaw, the Garden’s founder, painted about 1870. The many medals and cups awarded the Garden at expositions and flower shows were also shown, as well as a poster giving a short history of the Garden. The window in the lobby of the Bank building was filled with old herbals and rare books from the Garden library, which are representative of those consulted by botanists from all over the world. A collection of books by members of the Garden staff and examples of the Garden publications were exhibited in the window on ‘‘Research.”’ THe Ciry GARDEN MAINTENANCE This year has been uneventful from the standpoint of destructive storms such as the tornado on September 1, 1946, which brought devastation in the Garden, and the wind storm of December 5, 1948, which wrecked the north end of the pergola and also did considerable damage to trees. Continued pruning of trees and shrubs the last two years has finally brought the Main Garden into shape. In 1949 work was concentrated in the North American Tract, where 161 dangerous trees left by the 1946 storm were removed. Two hundred trees, including oaks, ginkgos, horse-chestnuts, Chinese pagoda, and gums, have been planted in the Main Garden and nursery to replace the loss. A total of 291 loads of damaged trees and brush were removed. The canker worm, which builds the familiar webs on trees, was evident in the Garden but was controlled by using 700 gallons of insecticide in the power sprayer. Collecting and removing the leaves in the autumn is a very important annual job, since after stacking and shredding they are used the following year on the lawns and in potting soil. In addition to the 160 loads of leaves from the Garden areas, 100 loads were obtained from the City street department. These will yield between 30 and 40 loads of excellent compost. Two acres of ground in the North American Tract were plowed and planted with cowpeas, and next year this soil, when mixed with the compost, will be used for greenhouse work. The plaza between the Main Gate and the Palm House was reseeded to blue grass in 1949. The main construction work during the year consisted of rebuilding, under contract, the north end of the Italian Garden pergola and repairing the center and southern portions. The entire area was painted by use of the Garden’s power sprayer. In repair of the greenhouses it was neces- sary to replace both the angle iron purlins and the angle iron sides which brace the support for the ventilators. The total amount of angle iron that was cut in varied lengths was 530 feet, 16 feet of 3” x 3” and 80 feet of 2" x 2” having been purchased new for the Floral Display House, and 434 feet salvaged from the slate benches in the growing houses which had been MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 3 Repairing the damage to the pergola in the Italian Garden caused by the windstorm of December 1948. replaced by more permanent concrete benches. The interior of the Palm House from the floor up to and including the tongue and grooved area was sprayed with aluminum paint, and the south gable end of the roof was painted by hand. All the copper downspouts were replaced. The ladies’ rest room and new lavatory at the Main Office and the Power Plant window-sash and the interior of the Floral Display House balcony from the floor to the gable were repainted by hand. The Citrus House vesti- bule, the 47 permanent concrete garden benches, and the galvanized areas and pipe guard railings on all houses were repainted by the use of the spraying machine. Four growing-houses have been entirely repainted and reglazed. New ventilators and new sash bars were replaced where necessary. The total amount of glass area repainted amounted to 7,176 square feet. Work was continued at various times throughout the year on rebuilding the steamlines, particularly in the large conservatories. New 1'4-inch pipe replaced amounted to 2,425 feet, and 1,816 feet of old pipe, which was in- stalled in the large conservatories in 1912-13, were pressure-tested and the ends cut and rethreaded. Couplings, elbows, valves, etc. were all replaced. Small roof leaks being evident on the rest rooms and office at the Main Gate, the entire roof of the structure was recaulked and retreated with asphalt. One hundred new chromium chairs have been placed in the lecture room of the Museum to replace the old folding desk chairs which had been in use for thirty years. 4 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Contract work, in addition to rebuilding the Italian Garden pergola (finished July 14), included new copper downspouts in the Palm House and a new asphalt shingle roof on the Assistant Engineer’s residence on Shaw and Alfred. Mr. Ladislaus Cutak, in charge of the Main Conservatories, and Mr. B. J. Mennemeyer, who has charge of the Main Gate, stamped 1,379 labels and hand-printed 1,106 during the year. The maintenance of the City Garden is under the direction of Mr. G. H. Pring, with certain special features, including the two heating plants, under the control of Mr. Gerald Ulrici, Business Manager, and Mr. A. H. Vogel, Consulting Engineer. MAIN CONSERVATORIES AND EXOTIC RANGES Routine work necessary to carry on the permanent displays proceeded as usual, and various improvements were made in all of the houses. In the Cactus House a truckload of sand-humus mixture was added to in- crease fertility and porosity of the soil (thus minimizing the danger of over- watering). It was necessary to prune heavily the two fine specimens of Stinging Nettle Tree (Cuidoscolus oligandrus) because their limbs had reached the glass. These trees, raised from Brazilian seed in 1945, have now attained a 20-ft. stature. The Stinging Nettle Trees probably are not grown under glass anywhere except at the Garden. Our trees bear a profusion of burr-like cushions of “poison’’-secreting spines on the light tan trunks, and any one merely brushing against them will experience a sensation akin to being stung by a swarm of bees. The spines also appear on the branches and on both surfaces of the large, five-lobed leaves. Epiphyllums raised from cuttings collected in Mexican jungles by Mr. Tom MacDougall a few years ago have grown so well that trellises had to be provided for them. Trellises were also made for most of the rampant-growing cacti, for if given liberty many twining, climbing and creeping cacti become a nuisance in a collection. The large cuttings of various Cerei received from the Pirtle Cactus Garden of Edinburg, Texas, in 1948, have been rooted suf- ficiently to set out in permanent beds. Most of the night-blooming cacti again bloomed luxuriantly, proving that well-established plants will flower heavily from year to year when not disturbed. An exception is the stubborn Torch Cactus, Cereus Jamacaru, which has failed to produce a single flower in the last 22 years despite the fact that our plants remain healthy and un- disturbed. During the annual Autumn Cactus Show of the Henry Shaw Cactus Society a group of rare undescribed cacti was placed on exhibition by La Quinta—Mexico’s largest cactus establishment. After the show the plants were donated to the Garden. MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 5 After attending the convention of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America in Phoenix during July, Ladislaus Cutak made a plant-collecting trip in Arizona. Several fine cacti which the Garden collection lacked, two 4-ft. Saguaros, a 5-ft. Bisnaga, and an unusually large Sweet Potato Cactus whose tuber weighed 85 Ibs., were brought back. The Sweet Potato Cactus was in flower when collected, but the immature ovaries ripened into bright scarlet fruits in the greenhouse in September and continued to be attractive during the next four months. The Bromelia Balansae hedge had several plants blossoming at one time during 1949. This species, commonly called “Heart of Flame” because of the brilliantly colored inflorescence which arises from the center of the crown of prickly leaves, is probably the showiest member of its group. In the latter part of November Agave Sartori sprouted its inflorescence, being the first century plant to come into bloom for a number of years. In the South African House the tall Fish Poison Plant (Euphorbia Tirucalli) and a large clump of Sansevicria cylindrica were removed. Fifty- eight feet of border plants were obtained from a massive bed of Sansevieria subspicata. Several large cuttings of spurges were rooted and planted in beds where height was needed. As usual aloes bloomed profusely and for the second straight year a 6-foot Aloe supralaevis bore a bright orange flower spike. Another tree aloe (Aloe africana) produced innumerable flowers which in the immature stage resemble tiny bananas. In the Economic House a truck-load of manure and leaf mold worked into the beds resulted in improvement of the plants. The three tallest trees, Hura crepitans, Parkia Roxburghii and Elacodendron quadrangulatum, had to be pruned heavily. The jasmine vine, Jasminum simplicifolium, for the first time was covered with a blanket of white flowers from near ground level to the ceiling. It was the heaviest bloomer in the House. The flowering season extended for three months in late autumn and early winter, and each morning a shovelful of spent flowers was picked from the walk beneath the plant. Fifteen horticultural kinds of Hibiscus were received from the Walton Plant Farm of Willis, Texas, and grown as pot plants. It is planned to set these out in permanent beds. Many economic plants propagated from seed and cuttings were planted out at intervals in the beds where room was available. In the Palm House 75 horticultural forms of Begonia were planted, with the hope that they will add color to the understory. African Violets have shown marked improvement and additional plants have been set out. Notable palms that have bloomed profusely include the Honduran Affalea Cobune, the North African Phoenix dactylifera, the North American Sabal Palmetto, the Chinese Livistona chinensis, and the Philippine Arenga Ambong. The 6 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Cohune Palm is one of the most majestic in our collection. Its fronds are of enormous length and the large woody spathe surrounds a spadix bearing hundreds of flowers that shed copious pollen. The trees in the Citrus House that had reached the glass roof received a very heavy pruning. The Camoensia maxima vine has formed an extensive canopy in the back of both the Aroid and Citrus houses and bore the greatest profusion of blooms since becoming established there. The perfume from the large white blossoms was wafted even into the Floral Display House during late autumn. Ixoras, Clerodendrons and Acalyphas have flowered remarkably well in the Aroid House. Several bushes of Clerodendron fallax were literally covered with bunches of scarlet bloom, and Acalypha hispida produced great masses of long pendent racemes. The year was very good for water-lilies. Plants set out in the second week of May grew so vigorously that four men were engaged each afternoon throughout the summer removing the dead leaves and flowers, weeding the pools, etc. The lilies continued to bloom profusely until the first week in November. The nine plants of Victoria Cruziana, the famous Platter-Lily of the Amazon, in the center pool, were a great attraction to visitors. The huge round leaves average about 54 inches in width, and are able to support a great weight. A demonstration of the buoyancy of the leaves provided the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Sept. 25, Sunday issue) with an interesting color feature, showing two children with a combined weight of 100 pounds stand- ing on the leaves. About 1,500 seeds of the Platter-Lily were collected, the best harvest in seven years. Tours of the Garden, requested by schools, conventions and garden clubs, were conducted by Mr. Ladislaus Cutak, in addition to his supervision of the Main Conservatories and Exotic Ranges. OUTDOOR GARDENS From January 18 to 20 shrubs and trees were sheathed in ice. The days following the ice storm were clear and cold, and as the sun shone through the branches all plants appeared to be studded with innumerable jewels. It was the most picturesque winter scene in many a year. Fortunately not many branches were broken and only the columnar junipers had to be straightened. In a year when the eastern states are experiencing a drought, we have had more than the average amount of rain. In July, and again in October, heavy rains have brought the total precipitation to 43.39 inches, which is 7.45 inches above normal rainfall to December 15. Plant life always responds with good growth when there is ample moisture in the soil, and naturally the gardens grew luxuriantly this year. November was somewhat drier but only the evergreens and the new lawn in the main plaza had to be watered. This late dry period was relieved by good rains on December 11. MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 7 Early in the year, eight beds in the Rose Garden were remade by removing eighteen inches of soil and replacing it with fresh soil and manure. To plant these beds and to replace a few varieties in other beds 230 roses were pur- chased. Six additional truck-loads of soil were needed to top-dress most of the beds where the soil level had sunk below the sod. In May, the entire garden was mulched with twenty-one truck-loads of oak-tow. The roses were excellent in May and June, and there was another fine display of flowers in August and September. The iris and peony garden was very good in May, and the mid-season and late peonies had an exceptional year because of the cool weather prevailing at that time. This garden will gradually be moved to a new location in the Economic Garden to make way for a nursery to be operated in connection with and adjacent to the experimental greenhouses. Towards that end, eight beds of iris were lifted in the autumn and stored in coldframes for spring planting. This iris garden, the last of the test gardens established in various parts of the country in cooperation with the American Iris Society, has been in this location for twenty-two years. Eleven varieties of iris were purchased, and 119 rhizomes, representing 50 varieties, were donated by Dr. L. F. Randolph, of Ithaca, N. Y., Mr. Clifford W. Benson, of St. Louis, and Robert Schreiner, of Salem, Oregon. The Main Garden contained a display of tulips in May, and bedding plants during the summer months. The point plants of the variegated tapioca attracted a great deal of attention. The Italian Garden contained a brilliant mass of bedding plants which grew well because of the abundant rains. The privet hedge needed frequent shearing, and to speed that operation, a second electrical hedge-clipper was purchased. After the pergola was rebuilt, the central semi-circular area was entirely replanted with columnar and prostrate junipers. Four large Pfitzer Junipers were also moved to the Main Gate. Narcissi that had been growing in nursery rows for several years were lifted and naturalized in an area between the Palm House and the Rose Garden. Tulips, hyacinths, and various other bulbs were planted in the Linnean, Spring and Main gardens for the 1950 display. As in previous years, the outdoor gardens have been under the supervision of Mr. Paul A. Kohl. FLORAL DISPLAYS At the beginning of the year, Garza Supreme chrysanthemums and buddleias were added to the poinsettia show. In mid-January, the Christmas display was removed to make way for the staging of primroses and cyclamens. The annual orchid show was on view from February 6 to 27, at which time 8 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Missourt Botanical Garden display at the Greater St. Louis Flower and Garden Show, March 13-20 Annual Chrysanthemum Show in the Floral Display House, 1949 MISSOURI! BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 9 aybrid pitcher plants (Nepenthes) were also shown. Then followed displays ot cinerarias, azaleas, genistas and tulips. At the Greater St. Louis Flower and Garden Show in the Kiel Auditorium, March 13-20, the Garden staged a 750-square-foot bulb garden. In the Easter exhibit, which opened on April 10, 300 Croft and Creole lilies were used, supplemented with many of the spring-blooming annuals such as schizanthus, marguerites, annual chrysanthemums and nasturtiums. On May 14 and 15, the flower house was given over to the St. Louis Horticultural Society for its annual Spring Flower and Iris Show. Flowering and foliage plants were sent to Christ Church Cathedral as decoration for the annual flower sermon preached on May 22. In the Floral Display House, hydrangeas, delphiniums and salpiglossis were on display until early June; and then followed the summer show of agapanthus, begonias, fuchsias and caladiums. On October 1 and 2 the Greater St. Louis Dahlia Society held its show at the Garden. The Veiled Prophet Queen’s bouquet was on view October 6. The Henry Shaw Cactus Society held its show in the Floral Display House October 8 and 9. The chrysanthemum show opened November 6, and the Christmas display December 11. Mr. Paul A. Kohl is in charge of the growing of the material and arrange- ment of the floral displays. THE ARBORETUM Some of the beauty of the Arboretum floral displays is marred during dry spells by clouds of dust which follow the heavy traffic of the automobiles over the grounds. This also makes driving hazardous, especially during Easter sunrise services, when 300 or more cars may arrive within the space of thirty minutes. The danger is only somewhat lessened when smaller groups arrive in a body to hold an outdoor meeting. During the past several years attempts have been made to dust-proof the gravel roads through the use of both asphaltic emulsions and tons of calcium chloride; neither method gave de- pendable results. During the past summer a standard penetration asphaltic pavement was laid at the main gate. About 5,736 gallons of emulsified asphalt, 335 tons of crushed stone, and 27 tons of torpedo gravel were re- quired. While this closely follows standard specifications for such work, we cannot anticipate the failures which may follow freezing and thawing this winter. Subgrade drainage problems will certainly arise in some areas and appear as “boils” in spring. However, it is believed that this hard road will be no more costly than the constant blading and shaping required now and that the expense of replacing 50 or more tons of gravel per mile (blown away as dust) will be eliminated. A hard-surfaced road would have been im- practical a few years ago, since much heavy equipment was on steel wheels. 10 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN To-day even farm machinery is rubber-mounted and can be moved anywhere over any surface. If successful, hard roads will be extended annually, using our own men and equipment as was done in this test. A sleet storm struck on January 18 and continued more or less until January 29. The damage, which was most severe in the Pinetum, was finally cleaned up during the first week in February. During the year, after the lake spillway had been graded and planted, 926 trees and shrubs (many large enough to be balled) were moved from the nurseries to permanent locations. The usual irrigating, mulching, and some experimental fertilizing were done. A Danheuser Tree Digger, a tractor- driven machine with a 24 inch auger, which was purchased during the year, has greatly simplified nursery work and has contributed greatly to the survival of the plants after planting. When holes are dug by hand it is impossible to chop up the clods of raw hard clay; as a result they are thrown back around the roots, leaving air pockets which cannot be filled even when water is used. The tree digger, with powered auger, leaves a rim of finely pulverized soil which is ideal for backfilling after the plant has been set. Some elms were removed and other work was done in the rhododendron plantations and in several other areas. While this work is time-consuming it becomes extremely necessary in some locations, especially those which have an understory of the correct species for that location. Two fire calls from Hidden Valley required the moving of equipment and men to that locality. Neither fire caused much damage, but they would have become serious without the proper equipment and adequate man power. To facilitate entrance of the fire crews the grader was sent to the Valley to construct and re-blade 9/10 miles of road. This, however, is wholly inade- quate for the rapid attack necessary when fighting such fires, and it is hoped that additional truck trails can be added during the coming year. The restoration of quail cover, a project in which technicians of the Conservation Commission of Missouri will cooperate, was well under way by late summer. In order to learn more about the adaptability and value of plants to wild life the seeds of many species of potential quail foods were collected and planted in beds. At the same time the ever-increasing deer herd is attracting attention from the standpoint of game management. Probably the most complete and well-balanced diet in Missouri seems to be available at the Arboretum. Here, where there are no restrictions (except those we hope to impose to protect special plants), the food habits of deer are not exactly like those in areas where there are fewer species of plants. The excavating of Pot-Hole Lake, which was begun in June and con- tinued whenever time was available throughout the summer, is nearing com- pletion. So far it has required digging and hauling of a half million cubic MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 11 feet of soil. When completed it will demonstrate the feasibility of using such small ponds as part of a watershed flood-control program. The lake was so named because it is the closest approach to the water holes of the great prairies and was dug in one of the largest grassed areas in the Arbo- retum. In the vicinity of the lake a special effort will be made to re-establish the prairie plants which seemingly occupied that region a century ago. The difficulty of making a good seed bed and the wet weather which did not permit the cultivating of corn at the proper time reduced yield. The wet weather of autumn so delayed the combining of soy beans that the anticipated crop was not produced. However, ample quantities of hay and silage were put up for cattle feed, and the Aberdeen-Angus herd remains an important part of the farming operation. Each dump truck was driven about 6,000 miles during the year and operated about 3,000 hours. More road grading and maintenance were done than in any previous year. Several heavy rains washed the gravel into the side ditches, making it necessary to re-blade completely the whole road system. Less mowing was done than has been customary, partly because cattle have been grazing over a wider area. Another advantage of cattle over a mower is that they leave the grass in a better condition. A number of large signs, the lettering routed in the treated but unpainted boards, were made during the winter and erected in places where some opera- tion was taking place to which special attention should be called. It is expected that curiosity concerning these signs might also slow those motor- ists who read while they drive. The road system was not designed for high- speed travel. Several scientific visitors spent periods varying from one day to three weeks at the Arboretum. Chief among them were Dr. Charles M. Rick, of the University of California, who was working on a fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation. The experimental plot, the herbarium, and the orchid-breeding laboratory were all in continuous use for at least two months, so that the Arboretum functioned effectively as a summer biological research center. Mr. August P. Beilmann continues to be Manager of the Arboretum. Orchid Department at the Arboretum.—Oftspring of some of the English hybrids of the Cattleya group which were purchased in 1939 are sources of increasing flower production. The Cattleya group, along with Cypripediums, Dendrobium, and Phalaenopsis, produced 33,606 individual flowers for the year. A total of 21,345 plants has been repotted into either 4-, 5-, or 6-inch pots, and 10,000 seedlings have been removed from the three hydroponic benches and potted into cither 3-, or 4-inch pots. The number of fully de- veloped plants repotted was 26,488. Those of especial value were propagated; 12 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 175 community pans were planted from the germinating flasks. To make more space, duplicate material has been sent to the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami and to the University of Missouri for use in research work. A new peat-shredding machine has been developed and installed by Mr. Lowry, resulting in the preparation of a superior potting medium at a con- siderable saving in labor. The old method was to chop the peat into chunks whereas the new machine will separate the fibers by kneading the peat. Two orchid houses and the small passage-way leading from the Head House into the Boiler House have been reglazed, representing 4,840 square feet of roof area. These orchid houses were also repainted, and the mullions were sealed with the new type aluminum bar caps. The station-wagon has made 114 trips between the Arboretum and the City Garden during the year, hauling either cut orchids or plants for display at the City Garden. The panel truck was used particularly during the staging of the orchid show at the City Garden in February. Mr. Hans Gubler from Zurich, Switzerland, started work August 17 in the orchid laboratory, where he will study methods of germination and the effects of colchicine on orchids. A worth-while collection of about 1,300 orchid plants and seedlings was presented to the Garden by Mr. H. L. Dillon, of Glen Head, Long Island. Mr. G. R. Lowry is in charge of the Orchid Department at the Arboretum. RESEARCH AND INSTRUCTION Dr. Edgar Anderson, Geneticist to the Garden and Engelmann Professor in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has continued his studies of hybridiza- tion in wild populations and of the history and classification of the varieties of maize. During the year he published one book in each of these fields. “Introgressive Hybridization,” a consideration of the dynamics of hybridiza- tion, was brought out by Wiley & Sons in their Biological Research Series. A little later in the year the same publishers produced a new edition of the standard text and reference book on maize, “Corn and Corn Growing.” Dr. Anderson was one of three authors who rewrote and revised this fifth edition. During the summer, Dr. Anderson carried on experimental work on maize genetics in Iowa in collaboration with Dr. William L. Brown of the Pioneer Hi-bred Corn Company, and at Gray Summit, where an experimental field was maintained with the help of the Arboretum staff and two graduate students. Dr. Henry N. Andrews, Jr., Paleobotanist to the Garden and Acting Dean in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has continued collecting activities in the coal fields of southern Illinois and Kansas. Aided by a grant from the American Philosophical Society, considerable quantities of coal-ball petri- MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 13 factions were collected in southern Illinois during June. In the autumn two trips were made in the eastern Oklahoma-Kansas region, resulting in the dis- covery of one new locality where large quantities of well-preserved specimens were found. This locality presents quite a different aspect from previously studied coal-ball floras; in the initial survey of the specimens new plants have been recognized and the general assemblage is distinct in itself. Dr. Carroll W. Dodge, Mycologist to the Garden and Professor in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has spent much of the time available for research in identifying miscellaneous collections sent in by correspondents from Quebec, eastern United States, Kansas, Alaska, the West Indies, Central America, Panama, Brasil, Hawaiian Islands, and a small collection from Heard Island of species previously known only from Kerguelen Island. Routine determinations of cultures of fungi, both human and plant patho- gens, have been made for correspondents. Dr. Dodge was appointed Visiting Professor at the Louisiana State University for the summer session where he gave a course in Medical Mycology to about 40 graduate students. The long week-ends were utilized in field work in the southern part of Louisiana. The study of the collections of the U. S$. Antarctic Service Expeditions (Admiral Byrd’s Third and Fourth Expeditions) has been continued. The usual courses of instruction at Washington University were given. Dr. Jesse M. Greenman, Curator Emeritus of the Herbarium, has con- tinued his studies on tropical American Senecios. Dr. Gustav A. L. Mehlquist, Research Horticulturist to the Garden and Professor of Botany in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has continued to devote the time available for research to investigations on hybridization and cytogenetics of certain plants important in horticulture. In addition to the teaching in the School of Botany, Dr. Mehlquist has taught the two courses in general horticulture and plant propagation offered by the Garden. One course is open to students in Occupational Therapy at Washington University Medical School and the other to any interested amateur. Unfortunately, space in the greenhouses does not permit more than a total of 40 students in the two courses. During the past two years, the number of applicants has far exceeded this number. Dr. Robert W. Schery, Research Associate at the Garden and Assistant Professor in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, divided his time during the past year between the University and the Garden. At the University he has been engaged in teaching elementary botany, economic botany, and plant materials, and in preparation of manuscript for an “Economic Botany” book and a “Laboratory Outline.” At the Garden his activities included assembling materials for the BULLETIN, research on the flora of Panama, studies on the Leguminosae, co-editorship with Dr. Robert E. Woodson on the “Flora of 14 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Panama,” and certain public-relations work involving occasional lectures and replies to inquiries. He made several trips into the Ozark region, in the company of Dr. Steyermark and various students, and spoke at the hearings at Newport, Ark., concerning erection of dams on Missouri streams. Dr. Rolla M. Tryon, Jr., Assistant Curator of the Herbarium and Asso- ciate Professor in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has helped in sending out exchange material and assisted with the organization of certain plant groups in the Herbarium. Special attention was given to the genus Quercus. From the wealth of historical material the types of species named by Engel- mann, DeCandolle, Trelease, and others were identified and labeled. A large number of duplicates were withdrawn and set aside for exchange. Research investigations included preliminary surveys of the New World species of Adiantum and of the erect species of the Selaginella rupestris group. Dr. George B. van Schaack, Honorary Curator of Grasses in the Her- barium, pursued special investigations of the Andropogoneae and Hordeae tribes of the grass family. Dr. Robert E. Woodson, Jr., Curator of the Herbarium and Professor in the Henry Shaw School of Botany, has been particularly active in the re- organization of the herbarium, progress of which is reported elsewhere. He also has had charge of three classes and the supervision of graduate students in the Henry Shaw School of Botany majoring in taxonomy of seed plants. His research activities have been concerned chiefly with the “Flora of Panama” and with various topics in the families Asclepiadaceae and Apocy- naceae, particularly Aspidosperma, a large genus of forest trees in tropical America. Degrees.—At the June 1949 commencement, the degree of Doctor ot Philosophy was conferred upon the following: Robert W. Baxter, A.B. and M.A., Washington University (Paleobotany) ; George A. Llano, A.B., Cornell University, M.A., Columbia University (Mycology); Henry A. McQuade, A.B., Washington University, M.A., University of Missouri (Cytogenetics) ; and Frederick G. Meyer, B.S. and M.S., Washington State College (Tax- onomy ). The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Dennison H. Morey, A.B., Washington University (Genetics), and David J. Rogers, B.S., University of Florida (Taxonomy ). Graduates and Fellows: The following graduate students and fellows were registered in the Henry Shaw School of Botany in 1949: Graduate Assistants (half-time graduate assistants): George F, Freytag, A.B., University of Wyoming (Taxonomy); Marilyn Amy Gage, B.S., Penn- sylvania College for Women (Genetics); John M. Gillett, B.A., Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada (Taxonomy); Marion T. Hall, B.S. and M.S., MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 15 University of Oklahoma (Taxonomy-Genetics); Hugh H. Iltis, B.S., Uni- versity of Tennessee (Taxonomy); Daniel O. McClary, B.S., Southeastern State Teachers’ College, Oklahoma (Microbiology) ; Dennison H. Morey, A.B. and M.A., Washington University (Cytogenetics) ; Sidney D. Rodenberg, A.B., Washington University (Microbiology); David J. Rogers, B.S., University of Florida, and M.A., Washington University (Taxonomy); Masashi Yamada, A.B., Washington University (Physiology); Milton L. Zucker, A.B., Wash- ington University (Physiology). Burmese Government State Scholarship: Ko Ko Lay, B.S., University of Rangoon, M.A., Washington University (Taxonomy ). Henrietta Heerman Scholar: Robert W. Baxter, A.B. and M.A., Washing- ton University (Paleobotany); Reino O. Alava, A.B., Turku University, Finland (Taxonomy); Jonathan D. Sauer, A.B., University of California (Genetics). University Fellowship: Richard W. Holm, A.B. and M.A., Washington University; Sergius H. Mamay, B.S., University of Akron, M.A., Washington University (Paleobotany) ; Frederick G. Meyer, A.B. and M.S., Washington State College (Taxonomy). Special Research Assistantship at Brookhill Farm: Alfred G. Etter, A.B., Washington University (Ecology). Jessie R. Barr Fellowship: Alice F. Tryon, B.S., Milwaukee State Teachers’ College, M.S., University of Wisconsin; Jean Mitchell, A.B., Washington University. Special Research Grant from Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Co.: Donald N. Duvick, B.S., University of Illinois (Genetics). Independent students: John H. Ayers, A.B., Des Moines University, M.A., University of Cincinnati (Mycology); Robert A. Dietz, B.S., Prin- cipia College (Ecology); Harrison A. Hoffman, B.S., McKendree College, M.S., University of Illinois (Microbiology); Frank L. Mercer, M.S., Uni- versity of Michigan, Ph.G., St. Louis College of Pharmacy (Physiology) ; Henry A. McQuade, A.B., Washington University, M.A., University of Missouri (Cytogenetics). Published Articles and Books.— Allen, Paul A., Representative in the Tropics: The Durian—A Fascinat- ing Tropical Fruit. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:185—187; Orchidaceae, third and fourth parts, in Woodson and Schery’s “Flora of Panama.” Pt. HI. Fasc. 4 and 5. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:1—-132, 133-245. Anderson, Edgar, Geneticist: Gravel Bars Evolve Their Own Flood Con- trol. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:54-57; Introgressive Hybridization. 119 pp.; with C. R. Stonor: Maize among the Hill Peoples of Assam. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:355—-404; with Charles M. Rick: On Some Uses of Maize in the 16 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Sierra of Ancash. Ibid. 405-412; with J. J. Newlin and Earl N. Bressman: Revision of Wallace and Bressman’s “Corn and Corn Growing.” (5th ed.) 424 pp. Andrews, Henry N., Jr., Paleobotanist: Fossil Tree Ferns of Idaho, Archaeology 1:190-195; Nucellangium, A New Genus of Fossil Seeds Pre- viously Assigned to Lepidocarpon. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:479-505, Baxter, Robert W., Henrietta Heerman Scholar in the Henry Shaw School of Botany: Some Pteridosperm Stems and Fructifications with Particular Reference to the Medullosae. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:287—352. Beilmann, August P., Manager of the Arboretum: Fifteen Years of Erosion Control. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:57-63; If Your Soil is Clayey. Horticulture 27:136; Nature was Wrong—Man Dams the Rivers and Solves Most of his Problems. The Washington Missourian. Oct. 13. p.-1, Sect. Be: The Persimmon—A Long-Neglected Fruit. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:189-192: Planting and Care of Conifers. Ibid. 145-147; The Role of Instruments in Tree Physiology and Diagnosis. Arborists’ News 14:67-69; Starved Trees— How to Nourish Them Properly. Park Maintenance 24:8-10; Three Ever- green Barberries. Garden Path 19':11. (Reprinted from March 1949 Garden BULLETIN) ; Tree Feeding. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:115-122. (Reprinted condensed in Wisc. Hort. 39:324). Brenner, Louis G., of the Arboretum staff: Crawfish Flat. Mo, Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:195—196; Food for Thought, for Quail. Ibid. 48-53; with Robert B. Nevins: Beaver Taste in Trees. Ibid. 110-114. Cutak, Ladislaus, in charge of Succulents: Spine Chats. monthly feature in the Jour. Cactus & Succ. Soc. Amer.; A Visit to Mexico’s Largest Cactus Establishment—La Quinta. Ibid. 21:120-122; A Visit to the Pedregal. Nat. Cactus & Succ. Jour. (British) 4:37—38; What is a Succulent? Jour. Cactus & Succ. Soc. Amer. 21:10-15. (Reprinted from Sept. 1948 Garden BULLETIN, condensed in Wisc. Hort. 39:119). Etter, Alfred G., Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: The Danger of Weed-Killers. The Land 8:177-182; Memoirs of Misuse. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:34—-40; Wildness, A Succession of Events on Gravois Creek. Ibid, 137-143. (Reprinted in The Land 8:319-321). Kohl, Paul A., Floriculturist: If This is Your Problem, It can be Licked. House Beautiful 91:54-55, 117; Reducing Garden Upkeep. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:89-107. Kuykendall, J. Richard, Student in Horticulture, Washington University: Commercial Orchid Culture in the United States—The Development of an Industry. Orchid Lore. 2':3-11. (Reprinted from Oct. 1948 Garden BULLE- TIN).; with Harold St. John: Revision of the Native Hawaiian Species of Gardenia (Rubiaceae). Brittonia 6:43 1-449; with David O, Galey: The Role MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN ils of the Korean Hybrids in the Development of the New Hardy Garden Chrysanthemums. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:161-178; with David O. Galey and Robert Gillespie: Some Evergreens for St. Louis Gardens. Ibid. 147-159. Lay, Ko Ko, Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: A Re- vision of the Genus Heliocarpus. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:507—541. McQuade, Henry A., Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: The Cytology of Paphiopedilum Maudiae Hort. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:433- 473. Mehlquist, Gustav A. L., Research Horticulturist: The Culture of Cypri- pediums. Orchid Dig. 13:378-380; Delphiniums. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:93-100; The Formosa Lily. Ibid. 101-103; Modern Cymbidium Hybrids —What Makes Them Superior? Cymbidium Soc. News 4:1-12; The Role of Genetics in Floriculture. Fl. Exch. 113'4:21, 25, 54-57, and South. Flor. & Nurseryman 62:13, 46-49, 99-102; The Significance of Chromosome Num- bers in Orchid Breeding. Am. Orchid Soc. Bull. 18:284-293; Why Do Chrysanthemums Bloom in the Autumn? Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:178-184; Role of Genetics in Floriculture. Fl. Exch. 113!4:21, 25; with Rauhollah Rahmani: Inheritance of Resistance to Rust in the Snapdragon. Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 52:48 1-486. Morey, Dennison H., Jr., Graduate Assistant, Henry Shaw School of Botany: How to Make an Aluminum Greenhouse Bench. Flower Grower 36:670. (Reprinted from June 1948 Garden BULLETIN). Mundkur, Balaji D., Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: Evidence excluding Mutations, Polysomy, and Polyploidy, as Possible Causes of Non-Mendelian Segregation in Saccharomyces. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:259-280; Morphology and Cytology of Development of the Sex Organs of Phytophthora bimalayensis Dastur. Bot. Gaz. 110:475-486. Nevins, Robert B., Student in Botany, Washington University: A Neg- lected Ornamental for the St. Louis Area. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:109-110; with Louis G. Brenner: Beaver Taste in Trees. Ibid. 110-114; with R. W. Schery and Jean Mitchell: Laboratory Guide in Elementary Botany for Study of the Plant Kingdom. Educational Publ. Dec. 1949. Pavcek, Paul L., Associate Professor of Microbiology, Washington Uni- versity: The Fermentation Industries. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:201—206. Pring, George H., Superintendent: Grow Tropical Water-lilies. Horti- culture 27:219, 235-236; Historic Daniel Boone Tree Survives. South. Flor. & Nurseryman 611':32-33. (Reprinted from Dec. 1948 Garden BULLETIN) ; Oncidium Powellii. Gard. Chron. [British] 126:7-8, and Orchid Rev. 57:159. (Reprinted from April 1937 Garden BULLETIN); Propagation of Tropical Water-lilies. Prof. Gard. 1:190-191; Water-lilies. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:65-88. 18 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Rodenberg, Sidney, Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: and Masashi Yamada: Wonder Drugs. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull, 37:206-213. Rogers, David, Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: Stegno- sperma: A New Species and a Generic Commentary. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:475-477. Schery, Robert W., Research Associate: A First Record for the Genus Qualea (Vochysiaceae) from North America (Panama). Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard, 36:285-286; Manicoba and Mangabeira Rubbers. Econ. Bot. 3:240- 264; Notes about Lower Plants. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:214-216; Problems Associated with the Procurement of Plant Products from the American Tropics. Econ. Bot. 3:413-427; A Prolonged Spring for 1949? Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:104-105; Recent Advances in Wood Technology. Ibid. 122- 127; Soil Microorganisms, Earthworms, and Man. Ibid. 134 137; Supple- mentary Notes [on Durian]. Ibid. 187-189; Watering the Home Lawn. Plants and Gardens 4:208-210. (Reprinted from June 1948 Garden BULLE- TIN); Winter Adventure with Missouri Springs. Post-Dispatch, Dec. 31, 1948, and Student Life, Dec. 16, 1949. (Reprinted from Dec. 1948 Garden BULLETIN); with Ellen M. Kern: Laboratory Outline for Elementary Botany, revised 3rd printing. Educational Publ., Oct. 1949; with R. B. Nevins and Jean Mitchell: Laboratory Guide in Elementary Botany for Study of the Plant Kingdom. Educational Publ., Dec. 1949. Tryon, Alice F., Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: Spores of the Genus Selaginella in North America, North of Mexico. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:413-431. Tryon, Rolla M., Jr., Assistant Curator of the Herbarium: Some Woodsias from the North Shore of Lake Superior. Amer. Fern Jour, 38:158- 170. Woodson, Robert E., Curator of the Herbarium: with David Azumbyja: New Apocynaceae of South America. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 36:543-548, Yamada, Masashi, Graduate Student, Henry Shaw School of Botany: with Sidney Rodenberg: Wonder Drugs. Mo. Bot. Gard. Bull. 37:206-213. Scientific and Popular Lectures.— Dr. Edgar Anderson: Jan. 4, before Oficina de Estudios Especiales, Mexico City, Mexico, “El Pedunculo del Maiz”; Feb. 11, Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale, genetics seminar, “Hybridization”, and botany seminar, “The Classification of Zea Mays”; March 17, botany seminar, Uni- versity of Indiana, “Races of Zea Mays”; March 13, Greater St. Louis Flower Show, “Herbs”; Rosa alba: April 16, over Station KFUO, May 2 and May 9, at the City Art Museum, Sept. 16, Rose Society of Greater St. Louis, and Nov. 1, regional meeting of the Federated Garden Clubs. Mr. August P. Beilmann: Jan. 7, before the St. Louis Horticultural MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 19 Society, “Foundation Plantings”; Jan. 11, Franklin Co. chapter of the Con- servation Federation of Missouri, “Sedimentation of Reservoir Pools”; Feb. 17, Midwestern Chapter National Shade Tree Conference, Chicago, “The Role of Instruments in Tree Diagnosis”; April 18, Lions Club, Union, Mo., and May 7, Big River Protective Association, Ware, Mo., “Flood Control”; April 21, Talking Leaves Garden Club, Brentwood, and April 27, Daleth Study Club, “Walk through the Wild Flowers”; April 30, Friends-of -the- Land seminar at Waynesville, Mo., “Brush Creek as a Flood Control Labora- tory’; May 27, Civitan Club, “Trees”; Sept. 7, Rotary Club of Kirkwood, “Brush Creek as a Conservation Yardstick.” Mr. Ladislaus Cutak: Jan. 9, before Henry Shaw Cactus Society, “Intro- ducing the Fascinating Bromeliads’; Feb. 28, Little Gardens Club, “Four Seasons in Shaw’s Garden”; March 6, Henry Shaw Cactus Society, “Arizona— The Cactus Wonderland”; March 15, Gardeners’ Workshop, St. Louis Flower and Garden Show, and March 31, Rock Community Garden Club, at Arnold, Mo., “Culture, Care, and Propagation of Cactus”; March 17, the Garden Club of St. Charles, Mo., “Cacti and Succulents’; “Mexico in Kodachrome”: March 18, Clayton Garden Club, April 19, Business & Professional Women’s Club of the Y.W.C.A., May 3, Catholic Women’s Association, June 3, St. Louis Horticultural Society, Sept. 12, Men’s Garden Club of Webster Groves, and Sept. 22, Women’s Club of Hamilton Ave. Christian Church; May 3, Collinsville, Ill, Woman’s Club, “Exploring Mexico’s Wilderness”; May 8, Henry Shaw Cactus Society, “The How and Why of Cactus Grafting”; July 3, Third Biennial Convention of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, at Phoenix, Arizona, round-table discussions on “Cacti and Succu- lents”; Oct. 11, St. Louis-St. Louis County Beekeepers’ Association, “Bee Plants in Mexican Deserts”; Nov. 13, Henry Shaw Cactus Society, and Nov. 20, Webster Groves Nature Society, “Canyon Treks and Desert Trails in the Southwest.” Mr. Paul A. Kohl: Feb. 23, before Brentwood Garden Club, “Roses’’; March 1, Nurserymen’s School, “Succession of Bloom”; March 22, Garden Club of St. Louis, “Hemerocallis and Peonies”; March 23, Talking Leaves Garden Club, and March 24, Webster Groves Garden Club, Group IV, “Roses”; April 1, St. Louis Horticultural Society, “Annuals and Perennials”; April 19, Sutton School Parent-Teacher’s Association, Maplewood, “The Mis- souri Botanical Garden”; April 27, Mackenzie Park Women’s Club, ‘‘Garden- ing’; June 10, Webster Groves Garden Club, Group XII, Oct. 21, Clayton Garden Club, and Nov. 10, Concord Garden Club of Sappington, “Roses”’; Nov. 11, the Greater St. Louis Dahlia Society, “Chrysanthemums.” Dr. Gustav A. L. Mehlquist: Jan. 19, Commercial Flower Growers of Chicago, “Carnation Growing”; Jan. 24, Little Gardens Club of Clayton, 20 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN “Plant Propagation”; March 28, Orchid Society of Southern California, Los Angeles, “Cypripedium Culture”; March 31, Cymbidium Society, Pasadena, “Modern Cymbidium Hybrids—What Makes Them Superior?”; April 1, horticultural seminar, University of California, Los Angeles, ‘“Polyploidy in Orchids”; April 4, San Diego Orchid Society, and April 6, Santa Barbara Orchid Society, Calif., ““Chromosome Numbers in Orchids and their Signifi- cance in Breeding”; April 15, Better Gardens Club, “Garden Delphiniums”’; May 27, Pine Tree Garden Club, “Factors that Influence the Growing of Plants”; June 13, convention of Missouri State Florist Association, Excelsior Springs, ‘““The Production of New Varieties through Hybridization”; July 15, Rose Society of Greater St. Louis, “Soils and Fertilizer Problems in Grow- ing Roses’; August 1, convention of the American Society of Florists, ‘The Application of Genetics to Floriculture’; Sept. 21, Hawbrook Garden Club, and Sept. 26, Little Gardens Club of Clayton, “Pruning Shrubs and Trees”; Nov. 2, All Jersey Florist Convention, “Tailor-made Plants.” Mr. George H. Pring: Jan. 13, before the St. Louis Florists’ Club, Jan. 18, Richmond Heights School, Feb. 11, Webster Groves Garden Club, ‘Gardens in England”; Feb. 16, Ladue School, ‘Use of Dogwood in Planting”; April 8, dedication address at the Webster Park Arbor Day Exercises, April 12, Rotary Club of Maplewood, “England after the War’; April 19, Parent Teachers’ Assn. Lincoln School, St. Louis County, and April 22, South- hampton Presbyterian Church, “English Gardens”; April 28, Alpha Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Oct. 20, Beta Chapter of Nu Phi Mu, and June 1, Women’s Assn. of Richmond Heights Presbyterian Church, “Mr. Shaw’s Garden”; May 4, Supervisor’s Club of Monsanto Chemical Co., and Nov. 4, Fellowship Society, Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church, “Four Seasons in the Garden”; “Visiting English Gardens”: May 4, Garden Study Club of the Tri-City Y.M.C.A., Granite City, IIL, May 9, Parent-Teachers’ Assn., River- view Garden District, Baden Station, Oct. 13, Shiloh Valley Garden Club, Shiloh, Ill., May 19, West Presbyterian Church, Nov. 1, Woman’s Club, Collinsville, Ill., Nov. 14, Men’s Garden Club of Webster Groves, and Dee. 2, Webster Groves Garden Club, VII; Dec. 5, Traffic Club of St. Louis, “Mr. Shaw’s Garden”; Aug. 9, Belleview Park Improvement Assn., Bel-Nor Grade School, “Selecting Trees and Shrubs to Plant in Your Garden”; Sept. 12, American Orchid Society Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, “Mimicry of Orchid Flowers”; Oct. 25, Tree Loving Group, “Rare Trees in the Garden.” RESEARCH IN HORTICULTURE Chrysanthemums.—Selected seedlings from previous years were subjected to further greenhouse trials in order to ascertain which seedlings should be retained for further studies. MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 21 Del phinium.—Hybridization between the red-flowered Del phininm cardi- nale Hook. and garden forms of D. elatum L. has been continued. During the spring and early summer more than 2,000 flowers were hand-pollinated. This number of pollinations is the potential equivalent to about 50,000 seeds. However, owing to hybrid sterility, only about 5,000 seeds were obtained, most of which did not contain embryos. In order to increase the number of seedlings from the more important plants, the majority of the seeds were embryo-cultured on agar to which the necessary nutrients had been added. Although the number resulting by the use of this method was not materially greater than with the usual method of planting in soil, it has certain advantages. In the process of embryo-culturing it was possible to get a better knowledge of the quality of the seeds and correlate this information with the plant from which the seed was obtained. The fact that more than half of the seeds did not contain embryos gave a partial answer as to why germination had been so poor in certain lines in previous years. Furthermore, by embryo-culturing it was possible to plant practically the entire crop of seeds in a six-cubic-foot refrigerator. As rela- tively low temperatures favor germination in Delphinium, it was possible to plant the seed earlier than the high outside temperatures would permit. As far as time allows, cytological studies are being made on the more important lines and hybrids. While some lines are brought to an end through complete sterility, a sufficient number possess enough fertility to permit the continu- ation of the project, each generation bringing the prospect of a good red- flowered perennial delphinium a little closer. Another problem of delphinium breeding is also being actively investi- gated. D. Belladonna, a widely grown garden hybrid, is thought to have originated from a cross between D. elatum and some member of the D. cheilanthum-grandiflorum complex. Some hybrids made here between D. elatum and D. grandiflorum var. chinense strongly resemble the present-day Belladonnas, but are triploid and sterile instead of hexaploid and fertile as are most Belladonna types. With the assistance of Miss Amy Gage attempts are now being made to double the chromosome number in these hybrids to see if fertile strains of the Belladonna type can be developed. Dianthus.—The research on inheritance in carnations is being continued. Triploid and tetraploid lines are studied both from a genetic and a cyto- logical point of view. Certain pure-breeding diploid lines of known genotypes are being increased to provide material for further studies on the nature of the flower pigments involved. Orchids. —Genetic and cytological studies of orchids are being continued. During the past year the chromosome numbers and cytological behavior of many species and hybrids have been investigated. It is becoming increasingly bho Ne MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN clear that polyploidy has been very important in the development and produc- tion of many of our most valuable hybrids. There is no question but that this information will be of value in planning further developments in orchid breeding. Research in Horticulture is in charge of Dr. Gustav A. L. Mehlquist. THE HERBARIUM During the past year 22,500 sheets of dried plants were mounted and inserted in the herbarium, bringing the estimated total to 1,575,923 mounted specimens. Within the same period 22,119 herbarium specimens were accessioned for future insertion, of which 1,612 were purchased and 423 obtained as gifts. A total of 20,084 specimens was received through exchange with other institutions, to which the Garden sent out 24,379 specimens. Par- ticularly noteworthy amongst these recent accessions to our herbarium are a set of 2,545 specimens collected by Hassler in Paraguay and a wide selec- tion of 3,723 plants from various parts of Africa. The Garden received requests for the loan of 4,177 herbarium specimens from sixteen institutions of the United States and from eight foreign botan- ical laboratories. In the same period the Garden borrowed for the use of its staff and students a total of 2,430 specimens from seven domestic and seven foreign herbaria. Maintenance activities in the herbarium have been particularly heavy during the past year, since the professional staff has been quite inadequate until recently. However, the year 1949 has witnessed a most encouraging advance in the mounting and insertion of specimens, in the organization of disorderly sections of the herbarium, and in the improvement of exchange balances with other botanical establishments. In addition to such activities on behalf of our own collections, our herbarium staff has answered hundreds of questions concerning plant materials sent to us for examination and naming. MISSOURI BOTANICAL SURVEY During 1949 seven plant species, previously unknown from Missouri, were collected. They are Robinia hispida (established in woods) from Platte Co., Euphorbia Esula from Chariton Co., Campanula aparinoides from Shannon Co., Scirpus Hallii and Eupatorium hyssopifolium from Howell Co., Potamogeton epihydrus var. Nuttallii from Reynolds Co., and Callicarpa americana from Ozark Co. The last species, a shrub known as Beauty-berry or French Mulberry, and greatly admired for its showy clusters of rich purple berries, has been previously sought in the state by earlier collectors. In its present and only known Missouri station, along the White River in Taney MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 23 Co., near the Arkansas line, it will be completely exterminated by the im- pounding of the waters of the Bull Shoals Dam. Several color forms of species, new to the state and to science, were also discovered. Special botanical study was devoted to areas that will become inundated through dam erection, causing permanent loss of record of the original vege- tation. For example, Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis), was found in southern Missouri at only one locality, in Taney Co. along White River, and it will be destroyed by the Bull Shoals Dam. The same dam will destroy a large native stand of Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) in Ozark Co., and many other rare species. In early spring, the remarkable endemic Missouri genus, Geocarpon, known nowhere else in the world, was re-collected for the second time by its original collector, Mr. E. J. Palmer. In restudying this plant, certain morpho- logical characters in the flowers, previously overlooked, have been found affecting its taxonomic position. The following species, known previously in the state from but one locality, were collected this year from a new county: Echinodorus tenellus from Howell Co. (discovered in St. Louis Co. by Engelmann in 1845 and not since found); the yellow form of the columbine (Aguilegia canadensis f. flaviflora) from Clay Co. (previously collected from Buchanan Co. in the middle of the last century); Juncus balticus var. littoralis from Johnson Co.; the black-fruited form of the persimmon from Benton Co.; Thlas pi per- foliatum from Taney Co.; and the deep rose-colored form of the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida f. rubra). Other noteworthy occurrences were the following: finding Corallorrhiza Wisteriana in flower March 29, the earliest date yet recorded for a native orchid; obtaining the first flowering material in Missouri of the rare shrub, Lindera melissacfolinm, to complete the study of this species; discovery of numerous ox-bow lakes covered with Lotus (Nelumbo pentapetala) in northern Missouri (Grundy Co.), which will be destroyed by the proposed Chillicothe Dam; discovery of a Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) on a natural sandy prairie in Clark Co., northeastern Missouri, a species previously known in the state only from the loess mounds of northwestern Missouri; and finding an area of rich dissected ravines in northern Missouri (Sullivan Co.), teeming with numerous ferns, orchids, and other rare plants; here abounds Bracken Fern, previously known in the state only from the Ozark area. The survey is being conducted by Dr. Julian A. Steyermark, Research Associate to the Garden and Associate Curator of the Herbarium, Chicago Natural History Museum. 24 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN THE LIBRARY The last year has been spent largely in catching up on routine library work—cataloguing, entering the incoming and outgoing books and _period- icals, bibliographic and reference work, checking catalogues for wanted items, etc. Also, the library collaborated in two important serial lists: the third edition of the “Union List of Serials,” and a list of periodicals in the Wash- ington University libraries. With only two full-time assistants, time could not be found to take part in the latter project without outside help, and a librarian was sent from the University who spent two months in listing the Garden periodicals. Checking of lists is always constructive in that it constitutes more or less of an inventory, keeping the library up to date on new publications, on lost or missing volumes, and need for cross references. In addition to the help given in reference work to staff-members and students in the Garden and the Shaw School of Botany, the library is being called on constantly by botanists from other institutions for verification of references, transcripts of pages, etc. Frequently reproductions of pages or illustrations are desired, and since there is no photostatic equipment in the library nor any room for it, one of the librarians must take the books down- town for the pages to be reproduced. Books are also loaned outside the Garden on the interlibrary loan plan, 206 books having been borrowed by outside institutions during the year. In June the librarians assisted in assembling the exhibits for several of the windows in the Boatmen’s National Bank Building, showing the activities of the Missouri Botanical Garden. In September Mrs. Eloise Enzinger Fay, who recently graduated from Washington University, was employed as an assistant. Having majored in botany she was already familiar with the Garden library and was able to begin her duties with the minimum of training. With her help many seed and nursery catalogues and experiment station bulletins have been catalogued and shelved, and a start has been made in making an inventory of the books in the folio room. Garden Publications.—The work in connection with issuing and sending out the Garden publications is done by the library staff. The librarian edits and proofreads the manuscripts, indexes the volumes, etc., and one of the assistant-librarians tends to the exchanges and sales. The cash receipts during the year for all the Garden publications, including reprints, “Flora of Missouri,” post-cards of Garden views, etc., were $6,328.00. Volume XXXVI of the quarterly ANNALS and volume XXXVII of the monthly BULLETIN were issued during the year. The volume of the ANNALS contains 554 pages, 41 plates, and 81 text-figures. The February and May MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 25 numbers constitute the last fascicles of the Orchidaceae family in Woodson and Schery’s “Flora of Panama,” and include an Index to the Panamanian Orchids. Three doctors’ theses were published in the ANNaLs during the year, and one master’s thesis. About half of the ANNALS edition is sent to other institutions in exchange for their publications. The foreign shipments are sent through the Smithsonian Institution, but at present shipments are not being sent to China nor outside the American and British zones in Germany. No Russian publications are now being received in exchange, but seven institutions are subscribing to the ANNALs and bills are received for the few Russian journals sent us. The BULLETIN contains 224 pages and numerous illustrations. Two feature BULLETINS were published during the year—an entire number on “Conservation” and one on “Water-lilies,” the latter containing colored plates of some of the Nymphaea hybrids originated by Mr. Pring. The greater part of the BULLETINS printed are sent to “Friends of the Garden.” Library Accessions—Numerous book catalogues have been carefully checked, but very few of our desiderata were advertised. Two collections were received as gifts, one from Mr. George E. Kessler of Kansas City, con- sisting of 67 books and pamphlets on landscape architecture, and a collection of 41 books on botany from the Washington University Medical School. Through Dr. Killip and Dr. Walker, of the Smithsonian Institution, the Gar- den obtained a very rare and valuable botanical work—a photostatic re- production of Wallich’s “Catalogue of Asiatic Plants,” one of the seven copies made by Dr. Maxon, of the Smithsonian Institution, from the manu- script in the Linnean Society of London. Worthy of mention too are Pallas’ “Species Astragalorum,” a large folio work on legumes published in 1800 and containing numerous colored plates, and Lonicerus’ ““Kreuterbuch,” prob- ably the 1573 edition. The latter may be a valuable rarity, but we have no definite information as yet. In an effort to build up the map collection, the following maps and geographical works were purchased during the year: Bohun’s Geographical Dictionary (1695); The London Times Survey Atlas of the World; Chauchard’s General Map of Germany, Holland, Netherlands, etc. (1800) ; Webster’s Geographical Dictionary; Rand-McNally’s Atlas of the World; Raisz’s General Cartography; Kitchin’s Universal Atlas (1795); Stanford’s London Atlas of Universal Geography; Colton’s Map of Missouri (1859) ; and Conway’s Diagram of the State of Missouri (1859). Other accessions, in addition to the current works one would expect to find in a botanical library, were the following: Galloe’s, Natural History of English Lichens, parts I-VII; Hernandez, Historia de los Plantas de Nueva Espana, 1942 (a reissue of the sixteenth-century work, published by Univ. 26 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN Nac. Mexico Inst. Biol.); Hutchinson’s British Flowering Plants; Indian Phytopathology (new serial) ; Journal of New Zealand Institute of Foresters; Bulletin Pacific Orchid Society of Hawaii; Sirén’s Gardens of China; Robyn’s Flore des Spermatophytes de Pare National Albert II. Statistical Information—There have been donated to the library or re- ceived in exchange for our publications during the year 606 books valued at $2,008.55, and 2,014 pamphlets valued at $353.73. The purchases consisted of 173 books bought at a cost of $1,917.34, and 61 pamphlets and parts of volumes at a cost of $270.58. Three maps were bought at a cost of $7.10, and two were donated. One manuscript and one microfilm roll of the Brazilian publication ‘Vellosia” were donated. The library now contains 59,078 books and 102,002 pamphlets, and 337 manuscripts. The number of index cards now totals 1,124,883, of which 5,247 were added during the year, 860 having been written by Garden employees and 4,473 purchased at a cost of $127.78. Eighty-six cards were discarded. There were 155 books bound or repaired during the year. ANNUAL BEQUESTS The Annual Flower Sermon “On the goodness of God as shown in the growth of flowers, fruits, and other products of the vegetable kingdom,” provided for in the will of Henry Shaw, was preached at Christ Church Cathedral, on Sunday, May 22, by the Rev. Charles W. Gilkey, until his retirement Dean of the Chapel at the University of Chicago. The Gardeners’ Banquet Fund was used to provide turkeys for the em- ployees at Christmas. ATTENDANCE FOR 1949 (Not including visitors to Arboretum) Week-days Sundays PAU RLY eos ci ote lis be igSdag acess sctecvesecesssyneseaghtedecdea sch !otetesdaeSatasagsércaeees 1,854 2,619 MORE U AN Yoo ce: Soca o cess sede chen 2G 28a c2db cfs avazucsetcetecteet ghoul ccssaat ok 8,970 8,094 1 0 o) » ee ne a ca Ce 4,692 4,499 V5) 9 | Cera renee ea ee 11,703 11,314 DVDs ccce ccctte dca sap sitar ss ts deen secede do: Jeacet ess veiescsa coop otee soot! ses -aesad¥ nes 15,973 12,208 AVIV ooo coches soc esses cde ce sevente Pea tosect se vedeeSeaepntcas sac eees abcd. 11,552 6,002 TE aca scsi sn hanes tse yiiens eset coats tes eeoacetin actnactednsuece cet 12,064 7,163 24 5-40 | SS ae a ne 12,251 4,499 September... ceo 15,972 12,208 October..._... eofesk Fase se5aesiguesseceee