TEACHERS DEPARTMENT. 
19 
trifling fraction of the whole result is available. Add to this the 
technical character of the matter and the language used as a 
medium, and at once, in the majority of cases, the availability is 
reduced beyond all reasonable limits of profit on the investment. 
We believe that in this regard the Plant World may fill a role 
of usefulness by bringing to the attention of its clientele the new 
work of botanists, thus making it possible for any one who 
desires to do so to follow the main trend of advance in botanical 
knowledge. 
There is much literature of value and interest to all botanists 
which avowedly does not embody original investigation. Accounts 
of travel, observations of various kinds on the structure and habits 
of plants, and the experiences of earnest teachers are of this 
nature. Such material, so far as it has real merit, we will be 
glad to publish in the Plant World. 
The Plant World cannot hope to attain success merely as 
a means of entertainment, however justifiable this aim may be. 
There are several magazines which occupy this field with com¬ 
mercial success, and with them we can not hope to compete. Our 
success must rest upon the usefulness, in a broad sense, of the 
material published. 
We heartily endorse the work of the Wild Flower Preservation 
Society of America, and we shall hope to be able to bring to the 
members of this Society the information and material which is 
of special interest to them. The minutes of the Philadelphia 
meeting indicate very clearly the great work that it is in the 
power of this Society to do. We are able through the courtesy 
of the New York Botanical Garden, to reproduce a photograph 
of the sole surviving plant of Sargent’s Palm in Florida. 
The Teachers Department will be continued as heretofore with 
the purpose of publishing matter of interest and use especially to 
teachers of botany. The pages will contain short articles of edu¬ 
cational import, and digests of the literature pertinent to the needs 
of teachers and students. Contributions from teachers in Uni¬ 
versities, Colleges and High Schools are earnestly requested. 
This department will be under the charge of Professor C. Stuart 
Gager, of the State Normal College, Albany, N. Y. 
