THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

Madison 6
DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS

December 13, 1949.

Dean R. K. Froker,
Agricultural Hall,
University of Wisconsin.

Dear Dean ?yrisker:

In support of the Genetics Department's request for artificial
ventilation of part of the second floor of the Genetics Builfing,
I would like to mention our experience last summer, as discussed
this morning.

A thermostat is mounted on the wall between Room 200 and the
labppatory (201), so that I had the opportunity of noting daily
temperatures during the summer. It was almost consistently 90° F.
or above throughout July and August, with very little variation
even at night or more moderate atmospheric conditions. The uniformly
high temperature is probably due to the lack of ventilation in Room
200 ~ there are no windows opening directly on it-, and the fact
that the ceilthggis uninsulated, consisting merely of the roof boards.
Sun-heated air collects in the loft, and remains there throughout the
summer. In addition, the humidity is also excessive owing to the
operation of a steam autoclave and still in the immediate, vicinity,
without adequate provision for venting the, steam, acca :

Entirely aside from considerations of personal comfort, these
conditions make bacteriological work during the summer very difficult.
Agar plates refuse to dry out for days, and quickly become contaminated
with molds, making research a very frustrating experience. The high
temperatures and humidity aggravate very serioudly the problem of
maintaining cultures free from molds and other contaminants.

Any measures which would relieve these very serious conditions
would greatly improve the research output of the summer months,
which,owing to the relative freedom from class obligations, should
be especially productive for students.

Sincerely yours,

Joshaa Lederberg,
Assistant Professor of Genetics.