376 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 



TO OUK SUBSCKIBEES. 



We have no intention of troubling our readers with a narration 

 of the many and various difficulties which have attended the pro- 

 duction of the Journal throughout this year and which show no 

 signs of abating. Many of these affect the Editor alone, who, it 

 is not too much to say, has had more trouble during the last eleven 

 months than he had had in the preceding thirty-six years during 

 which he has conducted the Journal. 



We are assured by the printers and publishers that these are 

 due to the dislocation of business caused by the War : power- 

 less as we are to remedy the inconveniences caused, we are com- 

 pelled to accept this explanation as adequate, and must trust to 

 the kindness of our subscribers to accept our assurance that the 

 responsibility for delays, whether in pubhcation or delivery, does 

 not rest with us. Other arrangements for printing and publica- 

 tion are in progress, and subscribers are requested not to send 

 their subscriptions until these have been completed, of which due 

 notice will be given. 



An apology seems due also for the incompleteness of the 

 Second Supplement dealing with the Flora of the Seychelles and 

 Aldabra. Here the Editor must take such share of responsibilty 

 as attaches to those who begin to print a paper when only a portion 

 of it is actually to hand. The author of the paper was so insistent 

 on its prompt pubhcation that we had no hesitation in beginning 

 it, having the assurance that completion would follow. The deple- 

 tion of the Kew staff by the War is, of course, largely responsible 

 for the non-completion of the paper. We have thought it better 

 to include the species contained in it in this year's index ; if the 

 paper should be completed, of which at present there seems no 

 prospect, a special index of the whole will be given. 



The present seems a favourable opportunity for taking our 

 subscribers into our confidence as to the financial position. Until 

 1915 there was always a small balance on the right side, but last 

 year for the first time there was a deficit. We have always said 

 that as long as the Journal paid its way we were willing to con- 

 tinue it, but that we did not propose to find both work and money. 

 The deficit for 1915 was met voluntarily by the kindness of four 

 friends; but it is unreasonable to expect that such help can be 

 continued. We have reason to fear that when the account for the 

 present year is rendered there will be even a greater deficit, 

 although it will have been noticed that the number of pages has 

 been reduced. We should be reluctant to abandon an undertaking 

 which has been carried on without interruption and (until the 

 present year) with regularity since 1880, and at present we have 

 no intention of doing so ; in such an event, however, due notice 

 will be sent to subscribers, and any subscriptions that may have 

 been paid will be returned. 



The Editor. 



