lit TUT .lOlUNAL (^F IJUTANV 



Journal for the current yaiiY. This result was the more satisfactory 

 because the notice in December, although it elicited several expres- 

 sions of hope that the Journal would be continued, produced from 

 British botanists no substantial help towards that end — indeed the 

 only financial assisstanee then received came from Dr. N. L. Britton, 

 of the New York Botanical Grarden, who sent, with a kind letter, a 

 cheque towards the expenses for 1917. We desire to express our 

 thanks to those who have responded to the appeal, and especially to 

 the one who undertook the work of preparing and circulating it and 

 receiving donations, whose name, at his own request, we do not 

 mention. 



Though we are thus relieved from debt, the future must continue 

 to give cause for anxiety. The list of subscribers, never large, has 

 suffered diminution through various causes, the War being one ; and 

 tlie losses thus incurred are not replaced by new su})porters. A few, 

 however, have been secured, and it is felt that the list might be 

 further increased if those interested in the Journal would use their 

 influence to obtain additions to the list. The number of local 

 Natural History Societies which subscribe might, Ave think, be in- 

 creased without difficulty, if botanists connected with them would 

 take the matter in hand. 



One or two of the responses to the appeal took the form of sugges- 

 tion or criticism : it was thought, for example, that a greater A'^ariety 

 of subjects might be discussed in the Journal. We have always been 

 conscious of our shortcomings, but so far as this particular matter is 

 concerned, the remedy rests with our contributors. It is ver}' rarely 

 that any communication is refused insertion, and although we have no 

 difficulty in filling our space, we seldom have more than enough (with 

 due foresight for the future) for that purpose. We feel especially that 

 brief communications, sucli as those which appear under the heading 

 *' Short Notes," might easily be multiplied ; and these are to many one 

 of the most interesting features. Curiously enough, we have at the 

 present moment more contributions in hand than is usual ; so that 

 so far as matter goes, the Journal is well supplied. 



We are however always grateful for suggestions and are prepared 

 (so far as is possible) to act on them. One such, which we 

 propose to adopt at once, is that the Journal should become a medium 

 for the sale or exchange of books; a space on the cover will be set 

 aside for this, the charge for insertion being Is. Gd. for the first two 

 lines and (jd. per line after. 



In conclusion we would say that the strictest economy will be 

 needed, if this Journal is to be maintained. It will be imj^ossible to 

 illustrate papers either by plates or figures, unless the authors are 

 willing to pay for the production of these ; and the sui)plements 

 which have hitherto appeared from time to time will have to be 

 abandoned or curtailed, until ha])])ier times prevail. We shall also 

 be unable to su])])ly autlioi's with the six copies of their, contributions 

 which have hitherto been sent free of charge : such copies, or as many 

 as required, will be sup])licd ])y the publishers at the rates mentioned 

 on p. 2 of wnipper. Meanwhile we can assure our subscribers that no 

 effoi-t on our part will be' wanting which may render the Journal 

 more worthy of their support. The Editor. 



