A recent paper by Everett E. Edwards, Associate Agricultural Economist for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, reemphasizes the need for historical materials on the farm industry of the United States. In the light of Mr. Edwards' discussion and the present agitation for more records on agricultural history, it seems timely to present a resumé of material in the Baker Library on the subject.

The Baker Library is particularly happy to announce the gift by Mrs. Hugh Bancroft of Boston, of an exceptionally rich and complete collection on the South Sea Bubble. The collection contains books and pamphlets, with many manuscripts, broadsides, Acts of Parliament, and other fugitive items relating to this strange episode. Except, perhaps, for the material scattered on the shelves of the British Museum, no collection rivals this which was assembled by the late Hugh Bancroft, in its fullness for a history of the South Sea speculation.

Imagine the consternation and confusion in the American business world if Congress should decide tomorrow that henceforth the dollar would no longer be the basis of our currency, but that a new monetary system with some unit such as the franc or the pound would be adopted. From the standpoint of accounting and business records, there would be a long period of adjustment to the new system. Probably government books would be changed to the new system immediately, but some business enterprises would undoubtedly carry dollars on their records for many months.

Thanks to the efforts of several officers of the Business Historical Society and members of the Faculty of the Harvard Business School, Baker Library has been given ten cases of records relating to the Hamilton Woolen Company of Southbridge, Massachusetts.

Several officers of the Society recently interviewed members of the Faculty of the Harvard Business School in order to ascertain to what extent historical material would be of special value in the course work of the School. This inquiry had a two-fold purpose: (1) to discover wherein those working in the field of Business History might be of greatest immediate service to current teaching and research in business subjects; and (2) to obtain guidance in the collection and preservation of documentary material pertaining to Business History. It was, in short, an attempt to survey some of the current needs of Business History.

The Oldest business concern in America is not a railroad nor yet a canal or turnpike. It is not a bank nor an insurance company. It is not a tavern, at least not so far as I know. It is not even a publishing firm, although such firms have seen long life.