AMERICAN FERN SOCIETY SL 
given it only when time permits. However it is hoped 
to have the Ms. ready for the printer before a great 
while. L. S. Hopkins, Curator 
Report of the Editors for 1919 
The Journat has been fortunate during the past 
year in the matter of illustrations. Mrs. William F. 
Brooks and Prof. Hopkins have each given one plate 
and Mr. E. H. Clarkson two. Prof. Hopkins has also 
made photographs especially for two others. Another 
member who wishes to remain anonymous has set the 
commendable example of adding to his dues each year 
a dollar to be used for pictures. The total of his con- 
tributions has now more than paid for a full-page plate. 
Probably as an after-effect of the war, copy has come 
in slowly and scantily and all four numbers have been 
late in consequence. We can now report.an improve- 
ment in that respect; we have advance copy enough 
for more than two numbers (including the present one) 
on hand. It includes two new state fern floras (of Ala- 
bama and Nebraska) and an exceptionally interesting 
article on a new line of work—the investigation, by 
easily made chemical tests, of the soil preferences of 
our ferns. 
During the coming year we shall have to decide how 
best to deal with the large increase in cost of publica- 
tion. This matter, affecting the whole Society, will 
later be laid before the members in detail. Meanwhile, 
we may say that requests for sample copies were never 
so numerous as during the last few weeks. If we can 
take advantage of this revival of interest to secure a 
substantial increase in the Society’s membership, our 
financial problem will be solved in the best possible 
