There are four distinct forms of tree descriptions that might be recognized by the teacher and occasionally called for as work from the pupil. 1st. A bare skeleton description, written by aid of a topical outline, from the observation of a single tree and its parts. 2d. A connected description, conveying as many facts given in the outline as can well be brought into good English sentences. This again is the description of a single tree. 3d. A connected, readable description of a certain kind of tree, made up from the observation of many trees of the same species to be found in the neighborhood. 4th. The third description including information to be obtained from outside sources in regard to the origin, geographical distribution, hardiness, character of wood, habits, durability, etc. These four plans of description are more or less successive methods to be introduced as the work of a class. Pupils should be induced to carry on their own investigations as far as possible before going to printed sources for information. A good part of class work should be devoted to the first three of the methods given, but the work might finally include the fourth form of composition. The first two methods should follow each other with each of the trees studied; that is, one week let a mere outline be written, to be followed the next week with as clear and connected a description as the ability of the pupil will allow, and containing as much of the information given in the outline as possible. OUTLINE FOR TREE DESCRIPTION. _The tree as a whole_: size, general form, trunk, branching, twigs, character of bark, color of bark on trunk, branches, and fine spray. _Leaves_: parts, arrangement, kinds, size, thickness, form, edges, veining, color, surface, duration. _Buds_: position, size, form, covering, number, color. _Sap_ and _juice_. _Flowers_: size, shape, color, parts, odor, position, time of blooming, duration. _Fruit_: size, kind, form, color when young and when ripe, time of ripening, substance, seeds, duration, usefulness. _Wood_ (often necessarily omitted): hardness, weight, color, grain, markings, durability. _Remarks_: the peculiarities not brought out by the above outline. NOTES ON THE FOREGOING OUTLINE.