164 The Ottawa Naturalist. [November 



practical advice to those who having- some skill in photography 

 may desire to use that skill in the study of ^'ature. To be success- 

 ful, both from the standpoint of making- records by the camera and 

 of making real progress in our study, do not attempt at first to 

 work in many fields. Select one or two subjects, and, as far as 

 possible, exhaust ihem before taking up another. An odd fact or 

 picture g-ained here and there from many subjects, may in time 

 make a collection of some interest and occasional value, but not 

 to be compared in either interest or value to a systematized 

 knowledge and a complete record of one or two subjects. Concen- 

 trate, then ; diffuse work seldom leads to mastery, to satisfaction 

 or success. Choose a subject and as lar as opportunity permits 

 study it seriously, in general and in particular, betore beginning 

 rhe exploita'ion of another, is the advice ot one who has had 

 some experience following this method. For instance, let us take 

 the deciduous trees in our neighborhood. For contour, they 

 should be photographed in full foliage and af er the leaves have 

 fallen, isolated and growing under forest conditions. Making 



negatives from the same p><int ot view in summer and winter is 

 most useful. Then make a study of the barks of the same trees. 

 Follow this by a study and the making ot careful photographic 

 records of their flowers and seed vessels — an interesting work and 

 one that will put us in possession of a wealth of most fascinating^ 

 pictures to be treasured alike for their beauty and educational 

 value. Finally, take the leaves, either singly or on a small 

 branch ; study and memorize their shapes and peculiarities and 

 make photographic records of them. In this alone there is two 

 or three season's work, even though but ha'f a dozen trees be 

 studied. It will not only afford much interesting and recreative 

 in-door and out-of-door work, but will give us such a knowledge 

 of our trees as few to day possess And the probabilities are that 

 we shall also have many beautiful photographs that will delight 

 and instruct us and our friends. 



Subjects might be mentioned without number, but they will 

 occur to every earnest worker. Our object was to indicate how 

 the camera may be made of valuable assistance in the stu 'y ot 

 N iture, and in this we trust we have bc-en in a measure success- 

 ful Photograph-c work and Nature Siudy are mutually helpful — 

 they progress together — an i the writer can honestly affirm that 

 the pleasures and usefulness of both the art and the science are 

 enhanced by their happy combination. 



Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Nov. 15, 1904. 



