loS 



TJie American Ano^ler 



That is tlie question which everj' one con- 

 nected with the business is asking himself. 

 None know and few care to prophesy. Some 

 predict that the great growth of last year was 

 but the beginning of an expansion which will 

 not be stemmed until the whole civilized world 

 is mounted on wheels ; all unite, however, in 

 agreeing that 1896 will amply fulfill expecta- 

 tions ; that there will be no difficulty in dispos- 

 ing of the entire output, variously estimated at 

 from 750,000 to 1,000,000 cycles. But of the 

 succeeding year they are not so sanguine. Let 

 two tradespeople come together, and if the 

 question : Will it last ? is not sooner or later 

 discussed the meeting will be worthy of record. 



There is no use denying that the year 1897 is 

 a sealed book, an immense interrogation point 

 to every one connected Avith the trade. The 

 matter is, however, one of those which will 

 solve itself. 



Models of '96 bicycles are very generally in 

 evidence. For the first time in the history of 

 the industry- they were procxirable for Christ- 

 mas trade, and when the buj-ing season is 

 fully opened there should be few manufactur- 

 ers who can not meet all reasonable demands 

 made on them. All are working overtime and 

 aU or nearly all will have 40 or 50 per cent, of 

 their outputs ready for delivery before March 

 15. There should be none of the exasperating 

 delays in fulfillment of orders which character- 

 ized last year's business. 



The wheels themselves show no radical 

 changes from those of 1895, unless a general 

 use of larger tubing and larger axles and a 

 general alteration of name plates can be so 

 termed. Improvement has become largely a 

 matter of detail ; 1896 models will weigh from 

 one to three pounds more than those of the 

 previous year, and will average 23 pounds. 

 Tandems will be more numerous than ever 

 before ; in fact, 1896 may be reckoned a " tan- 

 dem year." It will be a feature of the season. 



In the matter of price, there is no change. 

 One hundred dollars will remain the almost 

 universal figure for single bicycles, and $150 

 for tandems of high grade. Of course the 

 general public perennially looks for a reduc- 

 tion. And in time it will come. But the time 

 is not yet. Recently I interviewed one of the 

 largest and most prominent manufacturers in 

 America on this very subject. 



" When changes cease," said he, " then will 

 the price of bicycles be reduced — not before." 

 Every one may judge for himself when this is 

 likely to come about. R. G. Betts. 



Editor the Wheel and Cycling Trade Re- 

 view. 



Pleasant Echoes. 



The Fishes of North America.— This great work, by 

 Wm. C. Harris, Editor of The American Angler, and 

 publisiied by the Harris Publishing Company, 19 Park 

 Place, New York, is by far the most perfect, as well as 

 the most original, of the publications devoted to Ameri- 

 can game subjects. This book on the game fishes, by 

 Mr. William C. Harris, the enthusiastic and artistic 

 spirit in this novel enterprise, holds a unique place. Its 

 text includes not only full and scientific accounts of the 

 game fishes, but such alluring references to the angler's 

 exciting sport, itself, as to make even a naturally spirit- 

 less reader eager to essay the rod and line. Mr. Harris 

 has spent many months on selected fishing grounds, for 

 the one purpose of catching his trout and pike and sal- 

 mon for illustrating this great work he is now publish- 

 ing ; his artist being on the spot to copy the gleaming 

 fish, color for color, form for form, as he is drawn 

 struggling out of the water. The plates alone will cost 

 over $25,000— so very careful is Mr. Harris, so exacting 

 his high standard of accuracy and artistic excellence. 



It is this exacting accuracy that delays the issue of the 

 $1.50 monthly parts ; but he secures his ideal— and the 

 American anglers, who are greatly indebted to his dar- 

 ing enterprise for shedding actually neiv as well as fas- 

 cinating light upon the general subject of angling, 

 should generously sustain him in this great work by 

 subscribing for '\%.—The Hartford (Conn.) Times. 



Ten parts of ' ' The Fishes of North America " 

 are now ready for deliver}^ and other numbers 

 will follow each other much more rapidly than 

 was the case with former issues. The parts 

 now ready contain twenty plates (each 12x19 

 in.) of typical American fishes colored as in 

 life. Subscribers to the work can order one 

 or more parts as issued, on payment of §1.50 

 for each, or by paying $50.00 in bulk, will be 

 entitled to the complete work (40 parts, 80 

 colored plates), thus saving §10.00 on the cost 

 and the annoyance of frequent remittances. 

 Descriptive booklets sent free. Address, The 

 Harris Publishing Co., 19 Park Place, New 

 York. 



A Pleasant Business for an Angler. 



I desire the co-operation of a gentleman to take charge 

 of the business department of my book, " The Fishes of 

 North America," which has broadened so rapidly within 

 recent months, as to tax my dual duties, as editor and 

 publisher, beyond my powers. Such a person will have 

 not only a lucrative future, but a pleasing task, as it 

 will bring him in connection with the most congenial 

 class of men— the angling fraternity. He can assume 

 exclusive charge of the entire business department, or, 

 if located in the West, I will make liberal arrangements 

 with him for managing the large territory lying between 

 the Alleghany Mountains and the Pacific Slope. 

 Wm. C. Harris, 

 Editor The American Angler, 



19 Park Place, New York. 



