As to the best side of the market for operations, it is thought that the long side offers the greatest opportunities. The long side is healthier, it is constructive, and almost all the great fortunes made in the market have been founded on discreet and well-timed purchases. To adhere to this plan, however, frequently requires long periods of non-participation, and speculators are not, as a class, very patient. The man who can so school himself as to await opportunities to purchase good securities at low prices has by far the best of the bargain. Few men can do it. It is fully realized that a work which defends stock speculation in any degree, will meet with much criticism. Nevertheless, people _will_ speculate and if you are one of those who will--do it right. It is submitted in concluding this work that if the advice here given is heeded, i.e., to know _what_ you are buying and _why_; to buy only _good_ properties when prices are depressed; to exercise patience and provide sufficient capital; to eliminate first and forever the idea that correct deductions mean sudden riches; to use brains instead of charts, and common-sense instead of tips; in short, to apply to speculative ventures the same degree of business foresight and understanding as would be employed in any other business, the evils and losses which have always been a part of speculative history, would be diminished if not eliminated. BIBLIOGRAPHY. The books named on the following pages have been chosen as the nucleus of a reference library particularly adapted to the needs of the speculator. These works have been selected because of their clearness, soundness and simplicity. There are many other excellent works bearing directly or indirectly on the subject but these latter will be suggested as the student progresses and it has been thought best not to name a large number of books, which might result in confusion as to the character of the subject matter. The possessor of the works named will find that he has a very compact, comprehensive and inexpensive little library, both from an informative and statistical standpoint. A B C Series. (The Wall Street Library.) This collection of six small volumes will be found useful to the student. The subjects are arranged as follows: Vol. 1--A B C of Wall Street. By S. A. Nelson. Vol. 2--Anatomy of a Railroad Report. By Thomas F. Woodlock. Vol. 3--A B C of Banks and Banking. By Geo. M. Coffin. Vol. 4--A B C of Stock Speculation. By S. A. Nelson. Vol. 5--A B C of Options and Arbitrages. By S. A. Nelson. Vol. 6--Theory of Stock Exchange Speculation. The volumes can be procured singly at $1.00 per volume ($1.10 delivered) or in set of six at $5.00 per set. Volume five is not so necessary to the speculator as the other five named. THE INVESTORS’ LIBRARY. This series of five practical handbooks will be found to cover the several fields of stock, bond and security investments. The books are arranged as follows: