The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-10-27
TREES.

am MT disposed TO grumble as are some q
our citizens, at the improvements made By
our city fathers. The smooth, dry street and
the comfortable sidewalks stretching all ovei
our city. will be most acceptable blessings
when the reign Of mud begins. And those
who arc now most forward In denouncing the
extravaganza Of the city council Will be the
first 70 rejoice over the comforts which they
have provided. The city is far more attrae'
tive than it was year ago, and he must be
| short-sIghted indeed who begrudges the out
lay Of money-a1beit somewhat large The
very fact of sidewalks and coed business
street will induce strangers who have capital
TO invest to settle here Good schools, and
these very improvements so much rallied
against by some, help 20 attract capital here.
Another Improvement can be inaugurated
| fully as influential On the future Of our city,
| and at the came time possessing the merit OF
cheapness. I refer 10 the planting Of trees.
Every citizen, at a small expense, can plsrt
| trees in front Of his dwelling, and if each
would do his share we should soon have eur
streets lined with trees, than which nothing
could be done so influential In rendering our
city attractive. Many eastern cities are re-
nowned for their shady streets, where the
trees lock their branches, making Ieafy
Because of these beautiful ornaments, men Of
taste and refinement are induced to settle
where trees abound. This is no fancy but an
actual fact. Trees, when grown, have anon
ey value. have known a Thousand dollars
more paid for a place Astounding in trees
than would have been paid had there been
none. Houses on streets lined with trees
command a higher rent than on treeless
streets, so we learn that trees are worth some
thing. Many q town in New England has =
wide reputation because of the wide spread
ing Gins, planted by the careful hands of the
pilgrim fathers. The greatest loss when Port
land was burned WAS the trees. This all the
citizens admitted.
Trees have also q moral effect. a man feels
more charitable. more Loving, who in summer
walks home through a well shaded avenue,
than he would had the sun poured all its heat
directly upon him. We seem nearer to God
when we can look out upon his trees growing
before our door. They bear constant testi-
mony of his love.
Trees are health producers. They attract |
rain; they shield from the extreme heat OF |
summer; they consume the foul gases abound |
ing IN all cities; they pour forth streams of
oxygen. Not only are they or
naments, but they reduce the DOCTORS bills by |
the health of the city.
Trees cannot be transplanted full-grown, |
but must be set out young, and take many |
years to attain their full growth. We should |
begin next spring the important work of
our city. Every one should be in |
terested in It, even the boys and girls. AS but |
little is known Of the varieties OF trees best |
suited to this climate, or OF the method Of
planting them, heartily endorse the sugges-
ton of Prof. Hoss, viz: that the city council |
appoint this winter 4 committee, who shall /
report early in the spring the varieties of
trees best suited for planting In Emporia, and |
directions for planting. would also suggest |
that prize or prizes be offered to the citizens,
man or woman, boy or girl, who, during the |
year 1872 shall carry out most successfully the |
directions Of the committee. little encour-
agement, offered either by the council or by |
private individuals will have great influence /
in leading citizens to adorn our city.
We should attend to this matter Of tree
at a small expense we can
the value Of our property-the NOR
ality and good health of the city will be i'm
proved, and additional inducements will be
offered for strangers to settle here. We may
not be able to have the largest or richest, or
loveliest town in Central Kansas, but we can,
with very little exertion, have the most beau
tifui city. Shall we not try to make Emporis
the "Forest City of Kansasr' W. &c.