2 TIPPO 



suggested that a new society of botanists be established to unify and sub- 

 serve the botanical interests of the country. There seems to have been 

 general agreement that such a society was desirable, although some doubts 

 were expressed about the advisability of establishing a society at that par- 

 ticular time. In any case, the following resolution was adopted: "That a 

 committee of nine members be appointed by the chairman to consider the 

 formation of an American Botanical Society, after obtaining the views of 

 the botanists of America on the proposition, and report thereon at the next 

 meeting of the Club." ^ Professor Bailey was named chairman of this com- 

 mittee. 



On August 22, 1893, the Botanical Club, meeting with the American 

 Association at Madison, Wisconsin, considered the report of this committee. 

 "A letter from Mr. L. H. Bailey, chairman of the committee, was read, as 

 virtually the report of the majority in favor of abandoning the attempt for 

 the present. Eight of the Committee thought its organization by the Club 

 impracticable; one favored the organization but offered no plan of proce- 

 dure." ^ C. R. Barnes, the remaining member, submitted the following re- 

 port: "As a member of the committee appointed last year to report on the 

 feasibility of forming an American botanical society I find myself unable to 

 agree with the majority in reporting that such organization through the 

 initiative of the Botanical Club is not feasible at present. ... At the time 

 the plan was broached for the formation of a national botanical society I 

 was not in favor of it, believing that the time was not yet ripe for such an 

 organization. On thinking over the matter during the year past I have be- 

 come convinced not only that the time is opportune, but that the Botanical 

 Club, an open association of the loosest possible organization, can establish 

 a restricted society without friction, and with great benefit to the science of 

 botany. I therefore submit the following suggestions in lieu of the majority 

 report. I recommend: 



1. That the Botanical Club approve the formation of an American botani- 

 cal society whose membership shall be restricted to those who have published 

 worthy work and are actively engaged in botanical investigation. 



2. That to this end the Botanical Club proceed to elect ten men who 

 beyond all question should belong to a society so restricted. 



3. That these ten be directed to select fifteen additional members who in 

 their judgment fall well within the limits suggested. 



4. That the twenty-five persons so chosen be invited to become the char- 

 ter members of the botanical society, to proceed to organize the same, and 

 to provide for the election of additional members by such methods and on 



^ Brief historical sketch of the Society. Bot. Soc. Amer. Pub. No. 11. Ithaca, N.Y. 

 1899. 

 ^Bot. Gaz. 18:342-349. 1893. 



