AMERICAN FERN Society 25 
the part of the gardens devoted to the outdoor growth 
of ferns, the only regret being that we could not exam- 
ine them together in summertime. 
It was my intention to visit Pittsburgh during Con- 
vocation week of the American Association and hold 
4 meeting. Efforts were shaping to that end when 
unfortunately an accident happened to me on November > 
24, which confined me almost helpless to the house 
until the middle of January. 
to the supervisory knowledge of the affairs of 
the Society, it is sufficient to state that the budget 
for the year has been properly carried out, the experi- 
ence of past years studied and utilized in the preparation 
of the budget for the coming year. The Secretary and 
Editors have really carried the burdens of the Society 
and are deserving of all praise, as well as the Treasurer 
and the Curator of the herbarium, whose work is equally 
®nerous, but not as evident. Their reports should be 
“arefully read and will show that there is a constant 
ort to keep expenses within limits and always to 
Save a little every year for unforeseen uses. 
It is hoped that we may hold a well attended meeting 
hext December. 
WitiraMm Pater, President. 
Report of the Secretary for 1917 
- year, for the Society, has been quiet, with few 
outstanding events to record, but reasonably pros- 
vider Our usual activities have, with the one parrot 
~ of a delayed number of the JourNaL, gone smoothly 
co A meeting in combination with the Appa- 
chian Mountain Club was held at Boston in May, 
ra ®ne was planned for December at Pittsburgh in 
ee tion with Convocation Week of the American 
<5 tion for the Advancement of Seience. War 
Madi ions, however, and accident so interfered with 
