32 THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



A Serious Situation Confronts Us 



Vlease Advise and Co-operate 



For the year ending March 31st, 191 6, our Annual Report shows: 



The Expenses of The Guide to Nature $4,428.76 



The Receipts of The Guide to Nature 3,847.07 



Cost more than received $ 581.69 



This deficit has been paid from membership fees and cash contributions, 

 but the problem was still further complicated April ist by ENORMOUS IN- 

 CREASES IN PRICE OF PAPER AND CUTS. Our engravers and all 

 others have combined to increase the cost of cuts from fifty per cent, to more 

 than double the former price on some. This, it is said, is a necessity due to the 

 enormous increase in the price of chemicals. 



No magazine ever had a more loyal list of subscribers. Undoubtedly 

 some would continue if the subscription were forced to ten dollars a year. 

 With many who really appreciate and need The Guide to Nature, the price of 

 one dollar is all they can afford to pay. The magazine is an important factor 

 in the purpose of our Association — "the general diffusion of knowledge," and 

 we must keep it at one dollar a year if it is possible to do so. We could do 

 this with a margin for general expenses if we had a circulation of ten thousand 

 in place of our present three thousand. The price for the first year was one 

 dollar and fifty cents, but we have struggled for seven years to do the greatest 

 good to the greatest number by keeping it at one dollar. No other general 

 nature magazine has ever been published in efficient form — high grade paper 

 and liberal illustrating, forty-eight pages — at so low a price as one dollar a 

 year. The Guide to Nature is really worth two dollars, and would now cost 

 that if it were not for the time freely devoted to it by several members of the 

 Bigelow family, by our associate editors and by many correspondents. 



We are obliged to request every subscriber to devote some time to the 

 Cause. 



Secure new subscriptions. 



Please do not necessitate the cost of repeated notices of expiration of 

 subscription. 



Become a member of The Agassiz Association and aid in its work. 



It has been decided to make to our subscribers this statement of the Ser- 

 ious Situation and faithfully try for a few weeks to ascertain what can be done. 

 If at least five hundred new subscriptions are received we can continue at one 

 dollar a year. Your PROMPT RESPONSE, in renewals, new subscriptions, 

 memberships or cash contributions, is earnestly requested. 



The Agassiz Association, 



Edward F. Bigelow, President. 

 ArcAdiA: Sound Beach, Connecticut. 



