Yes, nature speaks to the heart of man in a language which cannot be misunder- 

 stood. At every season, and in all her various aspects, she proclaims the good- 

 ness of Him whose face through her is made visible, the beauty of truth and 

 virtue, and the deformity of falsehood and vice. 



Nature is always true and beautiful ; that which does not accord with nature 

 is always false and ugly. The painter who takes nature for his guide is sure to 

 succeed, while he who leaves nature for "the schools" is as sure to fail. 



We love Cowper, Wordsworth, and Bryant, because they are nature's pupils, 

 singing of what they have seen and felt, and not of what migld have been. 



There is no discord in nature ; all her operations are harmoniously performed. 

 The grass and the beautiful flowers spring up at their appointed season; the trees 

 put on their emerald robes ; the brooks pursue their wonted course ; the sunshine 

 and the showers invigorate the growing plants, and in the autumn we behold the 

 result. 



Nature's laws are so harmonious that a superficial observer would suppose her 



to be governed by no laws. Yet they are inflexible, and are never transgressed ; 



and he who has an eye to see the beauties of the fields and woods, and an ear to 



hear the anthems which swell in every valley, and on every hillside, cannot fail to 



appreciate the vast store of enjoyment and instruction which is spread out before 



him. 



< » » » ► 



NICKAJACK APPLE.* 



This very fine and beautiful Southern Seedling Apple originated in Macon 

 County, North Carolina, among the Cherokee Indians, in the vicinity of Nickajack 

 Creek, from which the name is taken. It was first brought into notice by Silas 

 McDowell, Esq., of Franklin, North Carolina, a most industrious and enthusiastic 

 pomologist, who sent me scions and specimens of the fruit four years ago. It is 

 one of the best of our winter apples, keeps well until April, and, grown at the 

 North, will no doubt keep till June or July. Size, large. Form, rather more 

 oblong than flat. Skin, smooth. Color, dark-reddish purple to a lighter brown- 

 ish red, striped on an olive-green foundation. Stalk, short — about \ inch. Flesh, 

 yellow, subacid, and very palatable. 



JOHN R. STANFORD, Clarhsville, Geo. 



QUEEN APPLE, OR NIX'S GREEN. 

 This very beautiful Apple originated in North Carolina ; it is one of the best 

 fruits for early winter use, and was found in the orchard of Mr. John Nix, of 

 Habersham County, Georgia. Size, varies from large to very large. Form, flat, 

 or nearly so, and much the largest at the stem end. Skin, very smooth, of a 

 yellowish-green color. Flesh, tender, subacid, and very pleasant to the taste. 

 Ripens November to January, here ; further north, would keep till March. 



JOHN R. STANFORD, Clarhsville, Geo. 

 * See Frontispiece. 



