There are two ways of looking at nature. The _old way_, which you have
found so unsatisfactory, was to classify everything--to consider leaves,
roots, and whole plants as formal herbarium specimens, forgetting that
each had its own story of growth and development, struggle and success,
to tell. Nothing stifles a natural love for plants more effectually than
that old way.
The new way is to watch the life of every growing thing, to look upon
each plant as a living creature, whose life is a story as fascinating as
the story of any favorite hero. "Lessons with Plants" is a book of
stories, or rather, a book of plays, for we can see each chapter acted
out if we take the trouble to _look_ at the actors.
"I have spent some time in most delightful examination of it,
and the longer I look, the better I like it. I find it not
only full of interest, but eminently suggestive. I know of no
book which begins to do so much to open the eyes of the
student--whether pupil or teacher--to the wealth of meaning
contained in simple plant forms. Above all else, it seems to
be full of suggestions that help one to learn the language of
plants, so they may talk to him."--DARWIN L. BARDWELL,
_Superintendent of Schools, Binghamton_.
"It is an admirable book, and cannot fail both to awaken
interest in the subject, and to serve as a helpful and
reliable guide to young students of plant life. It will, I
think, fill an important place in secondary schools, and comes
at an opportune time, when helps of this kind are needed and
eagerly sought."--Professor V. M. SPALDING, _University of
Michigan_.