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over the South; (3) It would be strategically located as the only real botanical garden
between Miami and Washington, and, as such, would be an asset to the general
educational program of the State, as well as a source of information and pleasure to
all the citizens of the State; and

"WHEREAS, the University has unused property which is ideally located and
readily adaptable for use as a botanical garden;

"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED : (1) That approximately 72 acres of
the Mason Farm which is not now in use and which is located in the western portion
of said Farm, nearest the campus of the University be set aside for use as a botanical
garden; (2) That the University be empowered to accept deeds of conveyance from
owners of adjacent real property who are interested in the establishment and enlarge-
ment of a botanical garden."

"There was some discussion of this resolution, particularly as to whether or
not it would involve any commitment for financial aid. President Gray thought that
it would simply set aside the property for use as a botanical garden. Mr. Pearsall
felt that before the property was set aside and other property accepted for this pur-
pose an investigation should be made as to how it would be financed.

"Mr. Umstead moved that the resolution be adopted, subject to final approval of
a committee of three to be appointed by the Governor at the suggestion of President
Gray. Mr. Pearsall seconded the motion, it was put to a vote and carried.

"The Committee is especially charged with the consideration of any future financial
commitments which might be involved and with avoiding duplication of functions now
allocated to State College."

President Gray recommended as a Committee, Mrs. May L. Tomlinson, Chair-
man, B. B. Everett and John Q. LeGrand.

The Committee met in Chapel Hill, 11:00 A.M., October 25. They considered
the resolution itself and the attached document entitled "A proposal to establish a
Botanical Garden in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill." They discussed
with Chancellor House, Assistant Controller and Business Manager Teague and Profes-
sors Couch and Totten of the Department of Botany and the entire proposition. Also
they visited the area proposed to be set aside by the resolution and also the areas
adjoining the University property which are referred to as likely to be given by other
owners as additions to the garden.

Since the proposed resolution was passed by the Executive Committee of the
Board of Trustees subject to final approval of this committee as provided, we report
approval of the resolution. We prefer to consider our action as a report with recom-
mendation to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees that the resolution stand.

In looking at the entire proposition we advise you as follows:

(1) We recommend that the area proposed to be set aside as a park area
for botanical conservation and experiment under the Department of Botany
of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

(2) As to financial commitments, we find that the action proposed does not
contemplate any immediate additional expenditures beyond those requested in
the present budget requests as submitted for the next biennial period and as approved
by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. These requests, if
granted, would enable a beginning to be made on the new park area but they
are not specifically on account of this project. They are needs urgently re-
quired in the present operation of the Department of Botany.

(3) As to the future, the needs of this expansion of the Department of Botany
work will of course be presented from time to time as the Department presents
its budget requests for the judgment of the Trustees as they consider the needs
of the University.

(4) We examined carefully the possibility of duplication of functions in this
project with those functions allocated to State College. We find that this pro-
ject is an appropriate and legitimate function of the Department of Botany at
Chapel Hill, in its normal undergraduate and graduate teaching and research.
In former days the native plants in the whole Chapel Hill area formed a con-
venient outdoor laboratory for the Department of Botany, but areas of this
sort are rapidly disappearing as land is form up for building by this rapidly
growing community. It is necessary to preserve this area lest these natural
resources disappear in the development of this community.