PREFACE. 



THE iour years in which the "Tree Doctor" has been before 

 tne public, and my stereopticon lecture on diseased 

 trees, during that period, have developed the grave fact 

 that not more than one per cent of the people manifest any con- 

 cern about this matter ^v}nch is of such vital importance. 



How to reach and arouse the public, has been one of 

 the deepest considerations. The Granges, and most highly 

 educated as well as the wealthy people of the cities 

 have all expressed themselves, where the matter has been 

 laid before them, to "teach t/ic child." 



With the curriculum of the schools already overcrowded, 

 the question at once presents itself, hoiv is such a work to be 

 introduced into the school room ? There was but one pos- 

 sible way, as pointed out by teachers, namely: "make it strictly 

 a Recreative Reader." The point is, in some way to reach, 

 interest and instruct the child. With this in view, all at- 

 tempts at anything like a literary production has been laid 

 aside, and a style adopted which will not fail to create a 

 reverence for tree life both with the child and the adult. 



In order that there may not be any grave departures from 

 our common law of language, Prof. John R. Smith, a promi- 

 nent educator of Akron, O., has twice reviewed this work, 

 and for the wise suggestions made by that gentleman the 

 author expresses the most sincere thanks. 



Whether School Boards will be sufficiently interested to 

 invent in this work and thus bring about a remedy of our 

 "tree troubles," by educating the child, remains to be seen. 



There are thousands who, with the author, will breathe a 

 silent prayer that health may be restored and maintained 

 among the occupants of the orchard, lawn, park and forest, so 

 that there may " Ring from all the trees siveet freedom" 1 s song" 



THE AUTHOR. 

 (v) 



