The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-07

ly observed by teachers and scholars in adjoining
school grounds as well IN economic tree-plant-
ing. The Arbor Day in Minnesota, first OBJ
served in 1876 resulted it is said in planting
over million and half Of trees on that
day. A year ago the State School Superin-
tendent, of West Virginia appointed the 9th of
April as Arbor Day, inviting the co operation of
the teachers, parents, pupils and school officers
in planting trees on the grounds of the schools
and homes The April issue of the State School
journal was made an ''arbor number contain
ing eleven articles on this subject by such men
as Cassius NJ. Clay and Superintendent Peaseley,
with an Introductory paper by myself ciTcu-
lated gratuitously and widely. The press of the
State strongly encouraged this practical move
ment The good work done on the day APP
pointed far exceeded the expectations of State
Superintendent Butcher 1t proved, as in
tended, memorable day for the homes as well
as the schools. Probably more trees and shrubs
were then planted on school and home grounds
than ever before on any one day in any State.
The superintendent has decided to appoint an
other Arbor Day this spring. This successful
example is worthy of imitation, for it is starting
influences minds as we'll as grounds which
will go on broadening and extending through all
time.
The recent spring floods and summer droughts
in Indiana. Ohio and elsewhere, increasingly and
now alarmingly destructive, are calling public
attention to the cause and remedy as never be
fore The denudation of the Hills and mountain
sources of the springs is the leading cause of
the extensive re-foresting of such lands.
This great result, which must be
the work of time, will be best accomplished
by interesting the young, as well as the old, in
tree planting. The Arbor Day i'll schools will do
immense good in this direction. We need to
popularize and diffuse the sentiment of trees
This will bestseeure their propagation and protoc-
ton. The frequency of forest fires is Uncommon
objection to economic tree-planting. But let the
sentiment of trees be duly cultivated, and they
will be regarded our friends, is the case in
Germany. The public need to understand that
the interests of all classes are concerned in the
conservation of forests. In Germany. Switzer-
land, Sweden and other European countries, this
subject is so taught in their schools that the peO
pie generally appreciate the value of trees and
the need of protecting them. Hence an enlght-
ened public sentiment is better guardian of
their forests than the national police. A person
wantonly setting fire to a forest would then be
looked upon as an outlaw like uhe miscreant who
should poison public drinking fountain.
The subject of forestry, old and familiar III
Europe, is comparatively new in America. As
yet, we have forest schools or colleges, like
those so numerous and literally supported in
Europe. We have even a Forestry Depart
ment in only two American colleges. But i'll
economic tree-planting the last ten years have
witnessed an advance in our country unequaled
in any other, within the same limits of time.
Though, as yet d mere beginning, conf
pared with the promise of the near flu
ture, this grand movement is now starting
IN the West with such an impetus and
already with such results as to ensure its eXpan-
sion over vast areas. The immense plains of the
new West, which were 1.-The great American
desert" in the old Biographies, are being rapidly
made habitable and hospitable by cultivation
and tree-planting Where, fifteen years ago, the
books said trees would not grow, the settler who
does not plan for tree planting Is the exception.
The leading Western railways are greatly help
ing on this work The Northern Pacific, for eX-
ample, has set apart $50, 600 for a forestry de
partment, and transports trees for planting, free
of charge, to any settler on or near their lines.
In Nebraska this work has extended for over
three hundred miles west of the Missouri river,
and on the wide prairies of that State alone it is
said that over As 600, 600 trees are now thriving
where, a few years ago, none could be seen.