PREFACE. 



THIS 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 give 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 remain 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 



