PREFACE. 
HIS book has been prepared with the idea that teachers 
generally would be glad to introduce into their classes 
work dealing with the real objects of nature, provided the 
work chosen were of a character that would admit of its being 
studied at all seasons and in all localities, and that the subject 
were one of general interest, and one that could be taught suc- 
cessfully by those who have had no regular scientific instruction. 
The trees of our forests, lawns, yards, orchards, streets, bor- 
ders, and parks g:ve us just such a department. Though many 
consider a large part of the vegetable kingdom of little impor- 
tance, and unworthy of any serious study, there are few who 
do not admire, and fewer still who do not, desire to know, our 
trees, the monarchs of all living things. 
The difficulty in tree study by the aid of the usual botanies 
lies mainly in the fact that in using them the first essential 
parts to be examined are the blossoms: and their organs. 
These remnain on the trees a very short time, are often entirely 
unnoticed on account of their small size or obscure color, and 
are usually inaccessible even if seen. In this book the leaves, 
the wood, the bark, and, in an elementary way, the fruit are 
the parts to which the attention is directed; these all can be 
found and studied throughout the greater part of the year, and 
are just the parts that must be thoroughly known by all who 
wish to learn to recognize trees. 
Though every teacher is at liberty to use the book as he 
thinks best, the author, who has been a class teacher for over 
twenty years, is of the opinion that but little of Part I. need be 
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