152 



yourself on record with the pubHshers, as one who will support 

 the new enterprise. 



"We are sure that you will extend a cordial welcome to 

 Botanical Abstracts, the first issue of which is expected to appear 

 in June, 191 8, and we hope you will appreciate that the starting 

 of the new journal is dependent upon the very prompt support 

 of as large a number of Americans and American institutions 

 as can possibly be enlisted. We know you will subscribe, but 

 it is more than important that you act very promptly in this 

 matter. For many reasons it is highly desirable that the new 

 series start as soon as possible and we need your support before 

 actual publication can begin. May we not depend on you to 

 have your subscription in the hands of the publishers within a 

 week? 



"Everyone interested in any phase of plant life will have 

 many needs for Botanical Abstracts, which is planned to cover 

 the world literature of the subject in a very thorough way. We 

 are sure that the new journal will be easily worth the subscription 

 price to you. Furthermore, it will be a great day for American 

 science when Botanical Abstracts comes into being. For your 

 own benefit, for the advancement of science in general, and for 

 the increased prestige of American work, we hope you will not 

 delay in the sending of your subscription to the publishers. 



"We also hope you will do all in your power in other ways, 

 to make it possible to launch this worthy project immediately. 

 It is unnecessary to point out that libraries are now unable to 

 obtain the German botanical abstract journal, that their allot- 

 ments for this purpose cannot be spent for this, and that the 

 American series, with your support, will be more prompt and 

 more efficient than the German one, which never has been very 

 satisfactory. Institutional subscriptions are usually slow in 

 coming in, and we ask you to do your best to have the subscrip- 

 tion of your institution, as well as your own personal one, sent 

 in at a very early date. Please also do all you can to further this 

 undertaking by arousing interest and enthusiasm and obtaining 

 subscriptions in other institutions and among your colleagues. 

 Every subscription, and every promised subscription counts 

 toward the actual inauguration. of the greatest undertaking yet 

 proposed by American botanical workers. 



"Payment may be made at any time within three months 

 from the date of publication of the first issue, but your subscrip- 

 tion (and as many more as you can get) is needed immediately. 

 It should be forwarded directly to the publishers (The Williams 

 & Wilkins Co., 2419 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore, Md.) on one 

 of the blanks enclosed herewith. 



