EDITORIAL. 



When this issue is in the mails, the American Botanist will 

 be half way through its first year, and at the end of its first 

 volume. It gives us pleasure to state at this time that the journal 

 in its present shape is absolutely self-supporting. It is a rare 

 thing for a botanical journal ever to be able to get along without 

 assistance from some botanical club or other, and we look upon 

 our success in this instance as an indication that the journal has 

 been cast upon proper lines for the flower lover. If we thought, 

 however, that it would always remain at its present size, we would 

 promptly give up in disgust the task of publishing it. We want a 

 larger magazine and we intend to have it. But it is our design to 

 build slowly and safely. Just as fast as our circulation increases 

 the number of pages will increase. As an example of our policy, 

 we cannot do better than to refer to our other journal. The Pern 

 Bulletin, which was begun as an eight page publication, but which 

 has increased with succeeding years until every issue now contains 

 thirty-two page-. We are making every effort to advance the 

 circulation of the American Botanist, and expect soon to add 

 another four pages to each issue, without extra cost to our read- 

 ers. If those who know of the journal will only recommend it to 

 their friends, our first increase will come with the next number. 

 As with all new journals, a large number of people have asked for 

 sample copies without subsequently subscribing. But this does 

 not make us uncomfortable: we expect to add them to our list 

 later! There are always many who wait to see whether a journal 

 is going to succeed or not before subscribing, and they are the ones 

 who pay advanced prices for early volumes, just as they are doing 

 to-day in the cases of The Porester, Rlwdora and The Bern Bulle- 

 tin. There are also other people w ho reason w ith the editor of a 

 certain botanical journal that a dollar is too much to ask for a 

 \ 6-page journal. But we reply, w here else can you get as much 

 of this kind of botanical lore for the same money? Besides, this 

 is not going to stay a 1 6-page journal! We thought we started 



