8 Preface 



up centers of civilization have a forest or wood, 

 somewhere near at hand, which is ever offering 

 opportunities for study and observation. Its 

 lesson is perennial; its book lies always open. 



With the design of telling the younger gener- 

 ation what the woodlands of this country are, 

 and what they mean, this book has been pre- 

 pared, chiefly for use in the schools. Much of 

 what it contains is new and out of the beaten 

 track of textbooks, but it is nevertheless impor- 

 tant, especially at this time, when more attention 

 is being concentrated upon subjects of practical 

 importance. These earlier lessons being learned, 

 pupils will be in a position to take an advanced 

 step in nature study and in that other subject, 

 very closely allied to it, American forestry. 



It is desired here to express appreciation to 

 Mr. J. M. Daiger for criticisms of the book, and 

 to Mr. D. D. Bronson, Dr. F. W. Besley, Mr. 

 K E. Pfeiffer and the United States Forest Ser- 

 vice for courtesies and assistance which were of 

 value in securing many of the illustrations. 



JOHN GORDON DORRANCE. 



