36 American Fern Journal 



ship list after he fails to pay his dues. Clearly the 

 expense of mailing notices and sending the Journal 

 should not be continued indefinitely if the member in 

 question, after the lapse of several years and after 

 having the matter brought to his attention, fails to give 

 any expression indicative of his desire to receive them. 

 This has been a matter of some concern to our Treasurer 

 and his official associates. 



In view of the approaching Exposition in San Fran- 

 cisco in 1915 it may not be inopportune to suggest the 

 possibility of getting together such of our members as 

 shall be in that city at that time. If some of our western 

 members would take this matter in hand agreeable re- 

 sults would surely follow. 



While we have a gratifying and increasing number of 

 members, this number might be materially augmented 

 if present members would more generally extend their 

 personal invitation to those known to be interested in 

 the subject. It may be noted that there are some states 

 which are wholly unrepresent- i in our membership list. 

 I sugg< t that some systematic effort be made toward 



securing members from such unrepresented state 



But after all, a large membership and a well-equipped 

 organization are of value only as they are made use of 

 for the promotion of the delightful study in which we 

 are engaged. It is to be hoped that the coming year 

 will see a distinct increase in the use made of the means 

 at hand. 



Bostox, December, 1913. 



Robert A. Ware. 



Report of the Secretary for 1913 



The American Fern Society is now enjoying the most 

 prosperous period of its existence. The membership is 



has 



