316 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [Nov., 
BoTANICAL ACTIVITY is manifesting itself by: contributions and bulletins 
from the laboratories and science departments of our nae institutions of 
learning and research. In comparing these one finds that they are of very 
uneven value as permanent additions to the world’s aR They all show 
ability to deal with new problems, but the worker often leaves the reader to 
find out for himself just where he stands, and what relation this contribution 
holds to what other workers have already recorded. We venture to say that 
the difference in the value of results is mainly referable to the equipment in 
libraries, specimens and indexes, possessed hy the several institutions. Many 
workers, possibly the majority, are inadequately supplied with these requisites 
for determining and recording the relation which their results bear to the pres- 
ent record of facts, or for sineting their attention to the most profitable part of 
the field of research. Of these helps, the last is especially a for unless 
all available literature 8 material is fully indexed, by means of a card cata- 
e or some similar system, it is hopeless to expect the ae to thoroughly 
compass his subject, and to exert his powers to the best purpose. 
OPEN LETTERS. 
Letter from Commissioner Colman. 
To the Members of the Botanical Club of the American Association for the Advancement 
ee Science: 
Lapies anp GENTLE —I have noted with extreme gratification the 
interest . have taken in om is ene by me in this Department, rela- 
tive e oO 
is most nt u 
you on behalf of the farmers and fruit grower rs of the country, in whose interest 
and for whose direct benefit this park ic ists a 
As you ce Well aware, only a few of the more important plant diseases bate 
been thoroughly worked out by scientists, and the little that has been done 
there is to ¢ 
wor 
a dition to the culthace in this particular, to which you have so 
erously pledged yourselves, I beg leave to call your attention to the fact t thes 
y anists, knowing i 
2, : 
e reco h 
o th ) subject and by collecting and rareibydtar ict to a Department mater! 
useful in the investigations, or that may serve Pi ata the distributiod of the 
injurious species of fu 
a hi sats for this work and a free use of the mails will be va sr 
eye y have notes or materials to transmit, and the source of all ma 
that may be used for publication will be properly credited 
