This all inclusive book explains the history behind our nation's selection of its flowers and trees. The stories are rich with political intrigues, legends, deception, botanical history, war and conquest, and humor, which makes each state's adoption a unique tale. For over a century, each state has adopted a flower and tree as symbols for its state and its people; in fact, some states have chosen several representatives. All state trees, except Hawaii's, are native to the state they represent. However, that is not the case with the state flowers as many of them are from other parts of the world. Whether legislators adopted them for the importance to their state's history, economy, or natives rare or common within the state, these symbols are highly honored by Americans. But, if the legislator's choices were simple, there would not be a need for this book, as their selections were extremely colorful as the flowers and grand as the trees.

For over twenty years Gerry Rising has been writing a weekly "Nature Watch" column for The Buffalo News. This is the second collection of his columns now available in both paperback and eBook formats. The publisher is William R. Parks: www.wrparks.com Harold Stiver, the superb Canadian nature photographer, has joined Dr. Rising in this publishing project and most of the photographs that accompany the columns are his. Rising's current readers will find much here to reinforce their appreciation for his essays. Those as yet unfamiliar with his work have a real treat ahead as they accompany him on these natural history excursions. Dr. Gerald R. Rising Sr., the Gerry Rising of these columns, is State University of New York Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus at the University at Buffalo. His "day job" at the university was working with school mathematics teachers and teaching mathematics and computer science. He is the author of over a dozen mathematics texts, the most recent, Program Your Calculator and About Mathematics, the latter a unique approach to this subject for college liberal arts students. Not a professional biologist, Professor Rising seeks to communicate to his readers his own involvement with and love of nature. He has explored the out-of-doors through hiking, canoeing and biking. In 2013, at age 86, he plans to ride his motor scooter on a camping trip around the boundary of New York State, having completed similar "circumnavigations" of all the Great Lakes. Rising lives with his wife Doris in Amherst, New York, a Buffalo suburb. He has two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Harold Stiver is a partner in a financial services company who lives with his wife Elaine in Paris, Ontario. He has two daughters and one grandson whom he claims to spoil relentlessly. He has long had a fascination with the natural world and has traveled widely exploring and photographing it. You can see more of his images at www.singularvideo.com. He is the author of a series of eBook Guides for Photographers and Explorers about waterfalls, old mills and covered bridges. They are available at Amazon and other popular distributors. ---------------- "The Nature Watch Collection: Book Two includes Gerry Rising's second full year of contributed columns, and it features a variety of hiking tales, natural histories, meteorological events, and wildlife reports. Rising's observations are crafted with great subtlety; he leads the reader's imagination with description that is at once artful, scientific, and witty, and ultimately, his insights into the natural world are compelling. Bolstered by attractive photographs from Harold Stiver and others, Book Two is a captivating addition to the Nature Watch Collection series."-Christopher Hollister

The Harrier - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: House Dogs And Sporting Dogs by John Meyrick (1861), The Illustrated Book Of The Dog by Vero Shaw (1879), The Kennel Encyclopaedia by J. Sidney Turner (1908) and many others.

This early work on taxidermy is a fascinating read for the amateur or professional taxidermist and also contains much information that is still useful today. Forty-eight text and full page drawings and diagrams illustrate this compelling work. Contents Include: Preface; General Principles of Zoological Collecting; Collecting Mammals; Skinning Mammals: Small Mammals, Large Mammals, Mammals Requiring Special Treatment, Pelting Skins; Collecting and Skinning Birds; Collecting Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes; Collecting Skeletons; Permits for Scientific Purposes; References. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1912, this early work on Breeding Farm Animals is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. With chapters on Heredity, Breeding & Selection and development of young stock it contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Travel with this young boy as he comes of age, not as a man, but as a young boy searching to find the spiritual innersole within him, and fuses into the wilderness surrounding him in which he finds himself as he travels to the ridge of life fulfillment. Join him in his travels as a fly fisherman through the Rawah Wilderness in Colorado and share his memories, prose and deep thinking of the fondness he experienced throughout the wilderness. Fly fishing, wilderness, and spiritual-well-being, are one in the spirit with Mother Earth.

Always be prepared: essential tips and tricks for keeping safe in the outdoors with Survive. Whether you're going for a leisurely hike or setting off into the wilderness, there is nothing more important than being properly prepared. Being knowledgeable about survival techniques can be the difference between having fun outside and an emergency rescue. Survive provides essential tips and tricks for anyone who spends time outdoors so that they will know how to recognize potential emergencies, apply basic first aid, build fires and shelter, identify poisonous plants, and more--all in the name of being able to survive in any conditions should an emergency arrive. From fishers and hunters to hikers and cyclists, this guide is perfect for anyone in your life who enjoys the great outdoors so they can keep the time they spend in nature fun by staying safe!

This anthology pays tribute to the awe-inspiring diversity of planet Earth, with contributions from: Vikram Seth, Michael Ondaatje, Mark Twain, Pablo Neruda, Langston Hughes, and many more, including excerpts from the field of both classical and cutting edge geology. This book will appeal to both the general reader and the professional geologist. "Bedrock" is a remarkable collection of fiction, poetry and geological essays that pay tribute to the boundless beauty and amazing power of our Earth. The book is organised into sections on rock, sand, earthquakes, rivers, deserts and much more beyond, emphasising the diversity to be found on Earth. Classical heavy weights sit beside young new writers, offering varied perspectives on the wonders of geology. First hand accounts describe specific earthquakes and volcanic erruptions that have left a permanent mark on the face of history, while contributors also cover subjects such as the patterns that are found in stone and the movement of rivers. This book will appeal to both the general reader as an introduction to geology and as a source of inspiration - it will also appeal to the expert as a welcome, if unnecessary, reminder of the beauty and power to be found within the exploration of our planets foundations.

Moving can be a stressful time in a child's life, but, for Peter and Amy, moving to the edge of Bairnbough Forest, would turn out to be a life-changing experience. The dark forest would open up a world of adventure and challenge that would test their strength and courage in ways they would never have imagined. Their modern ways collide with the ancient ways of the Faerie and bring them to a decision that would not only impact the life they knew, but, perhaps, their very existence.

At the core, it doesn't matter what you believe governs the fate of man and Earth, what matters is that humans, as a global society, build a future that is sustainable and peaceful. This is the ultimate human evolutionary development, this is our challenge. By tracing our existence from where we began to what we have become today, this book explores the evolution and, should we continue on our current path, the subsequent possible obsolescence of human beings. Far from a doomsday tome, The Fishbowl Principle challenges readers to expand their worldview. We need to change our measure of a successful life from simply existing to prospering. The authors refuse to accept that life as we exist today is "as good as it gets." We argue that humans have reached a fragile tipping point; and that instead of fragmenting and isolating ourselves in a future of despair, we can and will work together to an even higher apex. As a human race, we examine what can be achieved if we look to our similarities instead of our differences. If we could harness communication as a powerful and cost effective tool to bring us together and educate ourselves in a way that fosters sustainable and responsible population growth, the positive transformation to our lives would be immeasurable. Whether you exist today as a peasant in a tribal setting or as an urban dweller we explore fostering a sense of global community based on common ground, not just niche existence. We present tangible alternatives and pose thought-provoking questions. Our vision is a collaborative one, and requires your participation. A path back to evolution starts with you, and includes all of us.

'Highly recommended' Nuala Ellwood 'Tense and creepy . . . brilliant' Harriet Tyce 'Hooks readers in and keeps them dangling will the very last page' Daily Mail 'Without a doubt the best book I've read this year' Reader Review ***** 'Spine-chilling in its intensity, addictive and twisty, this was quite simply an AMAZING read' Reader Review ***** 'Utterly addictive and impossible to second guess' Claire Douglas 'Dark and thoroughly compulsive, a definite up-all-nighter' Kate Hamer 'Extremely sinister . . . had me frantically turning the pages' Reader Review ***** 'I literally could not put it down' Reader Review ***** 'Taut, tense and brilliantly gripping' Simon Lelic 'Immersive and eerie' Heat _____________________ For Tess, her older sister Bella is her whole world. She's smart and beautiful and popular - everything Tess isn't - and since the death of their mother it's just been them and their grieving father. But now a new family has moved into the empty house on the edge of the woods, bringing with them a world of boys and alcohol, and Tess can feel her sister slipping away from her. Until the bodies of two local schoolgirls are found in the woods, and Tess is convinced that this new family has something to hide. As events threaten to destroy everything they hold dear, Bella and Tess determine to bring the truth to light. So the two girls go into the woods . . .

Originally published London 1927. The well illustrated contents contain a multitude of nature notes and observations made throughout the English year. Each season is described in detail with anecdotes of country life and ways intermingled with jottings on animal and bird life. The flora and fauna of the English countryside are brought to life through the pages of this fascinating book. Many of the earliest countryside books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Knots is a handy guide to tying purposeful knots. If you need to handcuff a burglar, lasso a steer, escape from an asylum or tie a perfect bowtie, this is the guide for you. Fifty effective knots that can be used for a variety of purposes are highlighted. Knots is a great resource of portable information and is ideal for field use by both novices and experts. Made in the USA.

The 42,000 acres that comprise Acadia National Park include glacier-worn granite mountains, rocky cliffs, crystal blue ponds and lakes, and a dramatic coastline where waves collide spectacularly with dramatic headlands. This book describes the flora, fauna, and geology of the park, as well as a number of the prominent trails that take you in and around some of the most charming scenery in North America.

"Swamp Song "is the story of a biologist's romance with the environment. In this abundantly illustrated book, naturalist and photographer Ron Larson offers to everyone interested in nature--from bird watchers and canoeists to botanists and policy makers--an introduction to Florida's forested wetlands.