not have to put in any money in addition. The difficulty is to find 
a person who has the time, ability, and library facilities needed. 
The associate editors of course will do all that they can to heiip 
but there has to be some one person to take the realresponslbility 
of publication, in order to give unity to the plan. 
Mr. Williams of the Garden has been suggested, but cannot serve 
because of Dr. Brittons hostility. All the work would have to be 
done outside of regular Garden hours, which means evenings, and 
Mr. W's eyes will not stand the strain. TTe would be willing 
were it not for the evident unpleasantness that is sure to be 
aroused. You see how things stand. 
How what I wish to know is, whether you know enough about 
Prof. Riddle of Wellesley to give some idea about his fitness for 
the job, provided he will undertake it. Mrs. Smith is very anxious 
to ge£ some idea of the comparative merits of the various people. 
Had I as much time as I has in Washington, I would take the work,' 
and get it done somehow, rather than see the magazine go to smash. 
Nichils of Hew Haven, Miss Lorenz, and Geo. B. Kaiser of Phila.. 
have also been suggested. Mrs. Smith will write Dr. Evans for d 
advice today. She is also preparing a circular letter to be sent 
to all members of the moss society stating facts, wha.t seems need¬ 
ful, and asking for suggestions. 
I wish you would write me just what you think about the 
whole matter, and in such a form that T cam write your ideas to 
Mrs.Smith. Also, if you can say a good word for us with Kennedy 
it will be greatly appreciated. 
I have not urged at all tha.t you accept the post of managing 
editor, for I know that you are like myself, crowded with work. 
But, frankly Collins, I wish that you could see your ’’ay clear td 
do it. Whatever you may write on this last account will go 
no further with me. You have the books~anSl the knowledge of 
pr’ess work that will mean a great deal in getting this thing 
started. The printing, of course/, will be done where the 
editor lives. Mrs. S. will turn over all the rights credits^, and 
good will of the magazine, the back numbers, plates &c. 
She wants to feel clear of the whole affair, though she will still 
serve a treasurer of the_M society for a while. I think 
the reason is, that she is now getting along in years, and hopes 
to see the whole thing arranged upon a satisfactory basis before 
she gets too old, or passes away. 
I hope that you will let me know within a few days what you 
think upon all this, and whatever suggestions you may care to make, 
especially a.bout names of people whom we have not thought of. 
Matters are going along here otherwise about a.s ever. 
Just now I have eleven hours per week of private lessons, makin 
two hours Saturday forenoon as we&l as the usua.l work in the week. 
This Saturday morning work will last only until Xmas, however. 
I have found a little spare time on two or three Saturdays to 
tackle mosses, and have unearthed several interesting things in the 
mosses from last summer, notably Sphagnum Pylaesii, and S. sedoides 
from Marcy, mixed with Hypnum sarmentosxim. Then there is a 
