30 American Fisheries Society 



siderable expense, somewhat to the consternation of our 

 members who thought we were spending too much money 

 on this index ; but it immediately made available and made 

 live capital of all the back dead stock, and with this index 

 in the hands of libraries they immediately began to ask for 

 a complete set. It was impossible to furnish complete sets, 

 but we furnished sets lacking one or two volumes, of the 

 other series, which was still more technical. 



The Executive Committee was hard pressed for funds and 

 tried the expedient of securing more members and contribu- 

 tions, but we found that the back volumes of the Society 

 were after all very important capital. They went over the 

 series with great care, fixed a separate price on every indi- 

 vidual volume according to the stock on hand, made a figure 

 for complete sets, or as near complete sets as they could fur- 

 nish, then recommended a figure a little below the current 

 figure for the common volume. 



If I understand the committee, they are prepared to fur- 

 nish back volumes at $1 each if five or more are taken. But 

 the volumes are unequal in value, and I believe much more 

 would be gained by setting a definite price on the last 10 or 

 15 volumes, and on certain volumes needed to complete sets; 

 and after this index is in the hands of libraries, there will 

 be a general call for certain volumes, or as complete sets as 

 we can furnish; and if the index is issued promptly and is 

 on the market on or before the time of this announcement, 

 it will be possible to realize considerable income from the 

 back volumes, if they are husbanded. If any of the mem- 

 bers who have odd numbers will turn them over to the So- 

 ciety, there will be a very substantial sale for them. 



The price of the publication I speak of is $3 ; we cut it to 

 $1.50, and sold a number of sets at $75 each, because libra- 

 ries wanted complete sets; and the index shows them that 

 they must have the back numbers. 



Mr. Fearing : The index that I am having prepared 

 ought to be ready for the printer on December 1st. I think 



