Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 16, 1893. 



Dear Sir: 



After carefully considering the situation and as the result of no little correspondence, I 

 have decided to invite the co-operation of botanists in the establishment of a botanical exchange bureau. 

 Although such efforts have not hitherto been uniformly successful yet several considerations have en- 

 couraged me to embark in the undertaking with hope of a better fate: 



1. The number of botanists and amateur collectors is rapidly increasing. 



2. A large depot issuing an extended exchange list will facilitate the acquisition of good herbarium 

 material, by obviating the necessity of getting many small parcels often of worthless specimens. 



3. Collectors will be enabled to dispose of their duplicates in one inexpensive shipment instead 

 of by making up and dispatching numerous small packages. 



4. By having a chance to send in a large number of duplicates of plants of local habitat, each col- 

 lector will be able to obtain the full advantage of his local flora. 



5. As the bureau will not accept or distribute poor material, correspondents will be spared much 

 vexation of spirit and good field work will be encouraged. 



6. Good collectors will be brought to notice through their specimens. It will be the purpose of 

 the bureau to save labor in handling specimens, not to supplant personal correspondence. 



7. The Botanical Division of the Department of Agriculture has decided, after consulting the 

 members, to turn over to me the work of the Botanical Exchange Club. This will give the bureau the 

 countenance of the Department at Washington and will secure the valuable advice and co-operation of 

 Dr. Vasey and his corps of assistants. 



8. Specialists have kindly promised their services in verifying doubtful specimens. 



9. Last, but not least, I shall aim to make the bureau a source of personal profit, without which 

 no institution of this kind can be made permanently successful. 



I propose giving the matter of exchange the closest personal attention and hope to build up a bu- 

 reau which shall command the respect of botanists at home and abroad and to which those in search of 

 material may turn with confidence. 



Enclosed please find a set of preliminary rules. Your suggestions, advice and co-operation are 

 solicited. 



If vou would care to effect an exchange through the bureau this season, please send in at once 

 your list in accordance with Rule 3, that the first distribution may be delayed as short a time as pos- 

 sible, 40,000 duplicates have already been secured. 



Sincerely, 



J. H. SANDBERG. 



/?£FE(?£NC£S. 



Dr. George Vasey, Washington, D. C. 

 Pres. John M. Coulter, University of Indiana. 

 Prof. E. L. Greene, Berkely, California. 

 Walter Deane, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

 Prof. L. H. Bailey, Cornell University. 

 W. M. Canby, Wilmington, Delaware. 

 M. S. Bebb, Rockford, Illinois. 



