The Lay of the Land features fifteen nature sketches written from Sharp's personal observations of the land and its inhabitants over a number of years. Subjects include muskrats preparing a home, Christmas in the woods, buzzards nesting and much more. The title chapter urges the reader to spend time observing nature for themselves. "Nature study is the out-of-door side of natural history, the unmeasured, unprinted side of poetry. It is joy in breathing the air of the fields; joy in seeing, hearing, living the life of the fields; joy in knowing and loving all that lives with you in your out-of-doors." - Dallas Lore Sharp This edition is complete and unabridged and features all of the illustrations from the 1922 printing to provide the best possible reading experience.