To the Members of the Sullivant Moss Chapter. 
Dear Friends : 
We wish to have a confidential consultation with you regarding plans 
for the future development of the Chapter. 
It was started, as you know, January ist, 1899, with thirty-four charter members. The 
Bryologist had already been issued as a Department of the Fern Bulletin for one year. The officers 
decided to have this made a separate publication and use it as the medium of communication between 
members and to utilize it also as a means of education. The first year of the Chapter proved its need, and 
therefore its success. At the end of the second year we had ninety-two members ; the dues had been 
raised and the material of The Bryologist doubled. So far, all indicates prosperity along both lines of 
work: that of the Chapter and that of The Bryologist. Here comes in the problem, how to continue 
this dual prosperity. 
The members of the Chapter naturally divide themselves into three classes. One third are 
advanced workers, who are only Chapter members for the good they can do others and these would 
subscribe for The Bryologist in any case. One third are sufficiently interested to pay dues and receive 
The Bryologist and get the “offerings,” but aside from this we know little of their work. The last 
third are in active correspondence with the Secretary, who supervises their work from time to time 
and renders aid as needed. It is from this class we hope to develop future advanced workers. We 
need all three classes to ensure the prosperity of The Bryologist and we feel it is necessary to all 
who care for the study of the mosses, hepatics and lichens. Now, in order to do the best for all, 
not only Chapter members but also for our large outside subscription list, both domestic and foreign, 
we, as editors, feel it best to make The Bryologist a bi-monthly and charge $1.00 a year subscription. 
Now, in order to comply with the post-office regulations regarding carriage of second-class matter, we 
must make the Chapter dues larger than the regular subscription price. The amount which the Chapter 
will realize this year from the present arrangement of dues will give it a sufficient balance to provide 
for the herbarium, then a continued small annual difference between dues and amount paid for The 
Bryologist will carry on the legitimate work of correspondence, etc. 
It is taken for granted that with The Bryologist, a bi-monthly of sixteen pages and cover, at 
$1.00 a year, its limit of growth has been reached. Now, it has been suggested that Chapter dues be 
placed at $1.10, thereby complying with post-office rules; regular subscription being $1.00. The 
Bryologist would be sent to all members at a reduction of say twenty cents, that is, ninety cents 
going to The Bryologist and twenty cents to the Chapter treasury. 
Will you take this matter into consideration and for yourself send your answer to the 
Secretary? Will you continue as a Chapter member next year and send in renewal promptly at $1.10, 
getting The Bryologist every other month, availing yourself of its offerings of mosses, hepatics and 
lichens and such other help as you may desire ? This we desire rather than that you should simply 
subscribe for The Bryologist at $1.00. 
The Chapter is doing a needed educational work. We need you and you need us. Please 
give this matter your consideration and answer at once, that the necessary changes in the Constitution 
may be arranged. 
Very respectfully, 
(Mrs.) ANNIE MORRILL SMITH, Secretary. 
78 Orange St., Brooklyn, N. Y., May 10th, 1901. 
