Note 1 — Front matter
Reading edition
"Every reader possibly knows of the 'Tulip Mania' in Holland (1634 to about 1638 A.D.) when speculation in bulbs became as wild as speculation has been at other times on the Stock Market. A record price of 13,000 florins (equal to about 260,000 florins today, or $104,000 American money) is reported to have been paid during the mania for one bulb of the variety Semper Augustus." Gager: The Plant World.—ED.