252 Elementary Botanical Teaching. 
posts to a reasonable living wage. 
The undersigned are in general agreement with the views and 
suggestions put forward above, and are of opinion that the time is 
fully ripe for action in the direction indicated. They feel that to 
continue in the old paths will not only be fatal to the proper status 
of the study of plants in the public estimation, but will mean failure 
in the duty of botanists to play their part in meeting the conditions 
which must exist after peace is declared. They therefore invite the 
opinions and the eventual co-operation of their fellow botanists. 
F. F. Blackman. F. W. Oliver. 
V. H. Blackman. A. G. Tansley. 
Frederick Keeble. 
November, 1917. 
This memorandum has in the first instance been published 
over the signatures of a few botanists who are in substantial 
agreement as to the necessity of reform, and as to the main 
essentials to which reform should be directed. The next step 
indicated appears to be to invite the expression of all shades of 
opinion upon the subject, and especially upon the practical pro¬ 
posals put forward in the memorandum. The Editor of the New 
Phytologist therefore cordially invites the freest expressions of 
opinion from all botanists, and, above all, practical suggestions as 
to reform. He believes that the whole matter is one of the most 
urgent and vital importance, and that the necessary preliminary of 
action is to consolidate opinion and so provide a driving force. 
Before opinion can be consolidated the subject must be thoroughly 
ventilated, and the pages of this journal offer a convenient medium 
for discussion. Contributors are urged to write exactly what they 
think on any and every aspect of the subject. 
