It always seemed to us scarcely fair that our most useful men should not know while living how much the rest of the world felt indebted to them. On this ground, we decided to give as an annual frontispiece to our volumes a portrait in first-class style, of some of our most distinguished authors. Last year we had a portrait of the author of Barry's Fruit Garden; we have selected for our coming illustration the author of Thomas' American Fruit Culturist. As these are given in first-class style, wholly at the cost of the publisher, it was thought it would be a pleasant surprise to those whom the magazine delighted to honor, and nothing was said till the portrait appeared. This was found to have its disadvantage. Many wanted extra copies with the portrait of their favorites, but the publisher only prints enough for his December edition (and the usual over copies), which, however, is always a very large one. So this announcement is made, that we shall have a portrait of J. J. Thomas, in our December number.

Those who desire extras should order them before Nov. 15th to insure a supply.