INTRODUCTION 



and progeny — seed, blossom, fruit- 

 age. 

 ^ , err ,L , The dates given refer to an ordi- 



fH->(>fi>tcncc'\ to the ^fbotthcadtezn . ^ . . 



cfbcf.ccnccA ^^^y season in the region about New 



%nitcd Stated. York City. It was necessary to take 



some one district for the sake of rela- 

 tive uniformity, but the limit has 

 not been strictly drawn, and the book 

 will be found useful throughout the 

 eastern half of the United States and 

 Canada — at least, since an observer 

 anywhere may act upon its sugges- 

 tions, quickly learning how to make 

 local allowances for his own circum- 

 stances of latitude and climate. In 

 doing so he will begin to understand 

 the pleasure of his work, and will call 

 it play. 



But observation without record 

 falls, short of its possibilities for both 

 value and enjoyment. Memory will 

 retain general impressions and the 

 larger outlines, but ought not to be 

 trusted for exact details, and will 

 soon be overtaxed. Nothing is more 

 important, and soonnothingbecomes 

 more amusing, than the making of 

 field-notes day by day ; and they will 

 surely be treasured for the pleasant 

 S-'tcld -noted a txeaAuxy of happy zcc' associations they recall — a record 

 oUectioiw. full of the sunshine of summer days, 



d^ecotd the handmaid of Olydezvation. 



