EDITORIAL 



The delay in issuing the present number is due to 

 the fact that the editor has again been away from 

 home. He realizes that this is a pretty good reason, 

 but a rather poor excuse. He feels, however, that if 

 he was always on time, it would cast more or less re- 

 proach on the other botanical publications, most of 

 which appear occasionally. After all, we are all a bit 

 inclined to fall behind in various things, though our 

 intentions may be of the best. It is noticed in going 

 over our subscription list that one or two have also 

 been delayed in sending in their subscription. As a 

 sort of a reminder of the fact we enclose bills for their 

 perusual which will be found facing the frontispiece. 

 Since delays are said to be dangerous we trust that 

 they will take no unnecessary risks. And since 1909 

 is nearly gone, we suggest the precaution of renewing 

 for 1910, as well. 



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Y\ nen the Linnaean Fern Chapter of the Agassiz 

 Association, which has since metamorphosed into the 

 American Fern Society, was organized, its members 

 were anything but skilled in fern matters and one of 

 the main ends which it was hoped the organization of 

 a society for fern study would accomplish, was the 

 facilitating of exchanges between fern students. A 

 large number of people have been helped to increase 

 their collections in this way and the most altruistic 

 spirit has prevailed. In a large number of cases, mem- 

 bers have been glad to collect, press, label and pack the 

 rare ferns of their region only asking that members 

 who desired them should pay for their transportation. 

 In view of the proposed Fern Exchange it may be 

 added that the editor hopes the members who patronize 



