CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION. 



255 



fie; it is learned: it is as near per- 

 fection as anything - of the kind can 

 be; the Keys are painfully scientific, 

 dealing with minute points that ter- 

 rify the teacher of self, and often 

 bother the teacher who is not self- 

 taught. With a professional instructor 

 at one's elbow. Gray is perfection, but 

 if you are trying to teach yourself, 

 when you see that "Manual" approach- 

 ing- you in the road, cross over to the 

 other side, and be spry in your move- 

 ments or that book will trip you up. 

 But with Wood's "Class-Book of Bot- 

 any" under your arm, you may meet 

 the "Manual" boldly, while you po- 

 litely remove your hat, and pass on 

 with a smile of welcome, and a feeling 



of reverence for so perfect a work of 

 science. But let it cnil there, and cling 

 faster to Alphonso Wood, A. M., for 

 he delights to help you over the hard 

 places. 



By all means let us teach ourselves 

 botany. There is no trouble about 

 doing that. It means a little mental 

 labor, but it is delightful labor, and the 

 result is — — ! 



I also know a little somewhat about 

 studying the trees, and 1 know the 

 best book in this country for that pur- 

 pose. But I don't want to tell every- 

 thing I know all at once. 

 Yours truly, 



"Peter Peterhoff." 



DOMESTICATED NATURE 



"THERE'S ALWAYS"— NO, NOT ALWAYS— "ROOM FOR ONE MORE." 

 A doll carriage full of English rabbits taking a ride very contentedly. 



