The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-05-11
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WEDNESDAY, MAY II, 1859,


REPRESENTATIVES,.
May-Doy this year came on Sunday,
which gave more latitude to its observance.
In Shoreham, as will be seen in another
column, Inc Saturday before was observed,
and in 4 most laudable way. We hardly
know of another village so susceptible of
improvement of this kind as Shoreham,
and we hope that this noble Inauguration
is but the initiation of a movement which
will continue for long years TO come. We
have some reason to feel interested in
Newton Academy and its surroundings,
and we love to think that the spacious
common is receiving such attention from
the people Of Shorcham. We commend
the enterprise of the Ladies of Shoreham
to the attention of the Ladies Of the whole
County.
In this village May-Day came some
what later. AA interest in the Shade
tree enterprise was infused into the villa
gers by an evening meeting for the pur-
pose. The direction of the work was in
trusted to a duly appoiated committee,
and on Thursday last a large number Of
trees were procured and planted.
We have a word to say about the future
care Of these. 1t is comparatively easy
to plant shadc-trces, experience proves
that it is not always easy to make them
live without subsequent care. First, they
require proper support, shield them from
accidents, prevent them from being swaycd
about by winds and cattle. But more
important than anything else is it to pro-
vide for drouths. Every tree should have
its roots covered with an ample mound
of porous earth and be rel nln}ched with
rotton chips or something which is calcu.
lated to retain moisture. Trees thus cared
for are not only sure to live, but have IN
,sured them an carly, vigorous growth.
We have no desire to encourage an
cvanescent enthusiasm on this subject, but
we would delight to see in the people of
Vermont a growing habit of every year
doing something of doing a good deal
IN this direction, for themselves and for
their children. Massachusetts, we think
grants premium for the successful planting
of trees along the waysidc. A more sen.
sible piece of legislation is not often re.
ported. Some twenty years since our
legislature granted a J0unty on cro,cs.
Had the bounty been applied to the OBJ
ject we are considering, how many mag
~nifcent avenues would now wind through
our valleys and over our hills, the pride of
Ncrmontcrs and the admiration Of stran-
gers.
But i is ret as an aesthetic improve
mcnt, only, that this matter is deserving,
VI iblI. We nave IN our NINA 4
large number Of Second grouth sugar
naples, standing along the roadside which
have since our earliest recollection been
more than two feet in diameter, and are
good for an annual yield Of ten pounds of
sugar, at almost no expense. We are
thoroughly convinced that nothing can so
contribute to the loneliness and material
wealth Of Vermont, as the habitual, sys.
,ematic attention to the matter here pre-
-sentcd. Ladies, if the season of tree
planting, on its return find the men.iolks
absorbed in springs work try the Shoreham
example and insist that at least one day
shall find all hands engaged in this patri.
otto employment.