Part 1

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Getting Acquainted with the Trees

J. HORACE McFARLAND

Illustrated from Photographs by the Author

NEW YORK THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1914

Copyright, 1904

By The Outlook Company

* * * * *

Published April, 1904

Reprinted April, 1904

New edition September, 1906

Reprinted August, 1913 March, 1914.

Foreword

These sketches are, I fear, very unscientific and unsystematic. They record the growth of my own interest and information, as I have recently observed and enjoyed the trees among which I had walked unseeing far too many years. To pass on, as well as I can, some of the benefit that has come into my own life from this wakened interest in the trees provided by the Creator for the resting of tired brains and the healing of ruffled spirits, as well as for utility, is the reason for gathering together and somewhat extending the papers that have brought me, as they have appeared in the pages of "The Outlook," so many letters of fellowship and appreciation from others who have often seen more clearly and deeply into the woods than I may hope to.

Driven out from my desk by weariness sometimes--and as often, I confess, by a rasped temper I would fain hide from display--I have never failed to find rest, and peace, and much to see and to love, among the common and familiar trees, to which I hope these mere hints of some of their features not always seen may send others who also need their silent and beneficent message.

J. H. McF.

March 17, 1904

Contents PAGE

A STORY OF SOME MAPLES 1

THE GROWTH OF THE OAK 25

PINES 49

APPLES 73

WILLOWS AND POPLARS 95

THE ELM AND THE TULIP 131

NUT-BEARING TREES 157

SOME OTHER TREES 185

INDEX 235

BOTANICAL NAMES 239