The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-04-30
AN INTERESTING PAMPHLET.


One OF the most interesting pamphlets
ever published has just been distributed
from the educational department at
Washington, under direction of the in
terror department. The pamphlet is en-
titled painting Trees in School Grounds
and the Celebration Of Arbor Day" The
information contained in this little gem
of a book is most valuable and interest
ing. 1t not only gives all the statistics
attalnable in reference to forestry in the
United States, but it gives q history of
tree planting, the origin of ArbOr Day
and directions for its celebration. 1t
also gives valuable information as to the
show" and "when" of tree planting.
The value of tree planting will be most
clearly realized when the reader learns
that of the 9.749 1888 acres of woodland
standing in 1870 there are at present not
more than 100000 acres remaining,
showing decrease of about 100000
acres. 1t has now reached that point
at which the planting of forests should
equal the consumption. If the decrease
during the next ten years should be as
great as that of the last decade, there
would not be an acre of forest trees
standing in the United States. For
tunately, however, the general desire to
plant trees has found an impetus in the
creation of an Arbor Day.
Arbor day will become one of the In
situations of the country In which our
girls and boys will take an eager share
and genuine pleasure, and thus gain a
liking for trees that will never be effaced.
On the first Arbor day ever issued. which
was ten years ago in the state of Ne
braska, over 12OOOO.OOO trees were
planted.
The recent spring floods in some of
our eastern states. increasingly and now
alarmingly destructive, are calling pub
lie attention to the cause and the rem
edy. This report tells US that the de-
nundation of the hills and bluffs about
the sources of the streams is the cause OF
these freshets, and that the remedy can
only come through the rapid reforesting
of these lands.
The Arbor Day will do great good in
this direction, and enlightened public
sentiment is q better guardian of our
forests than the national police"
European nations exercise the great
est care for their forests. Germany has
over 100000 acres. The income from
these forests is $14, OOO, 600, while the
expenses are only $7,5OO,OOO, and yet by
proper care the forests are being IN
creased and improved In every prov
ince. France today has more acres Of
forest trees than the United States.
The interior department has acted
wisely in issuing Its Arbor Day pam
phlet aud no doubt will succeed il
awakening in all sound-minded peopl,
an increased liking fer tres planting anC
more reverence for Arbor Day.
One suggestion made by Mr.. Eaton
commissioner of education, is of tn
greatest practical value to Emporia ant
other Kansas towns. Notwithstanding
the necessity of adding beauty and com
fort TO our homes and city walks b.
means of tree planting. public attentio
is diverted somewhat by the press c
business matters. In order to overcom
this neglect it Is suggested tina
"City Improvement Societies
organized" The object of sue
societies shall be to improve and orna
ment the streets and public grounds c
the city by planting and cultivstin
trees, establishing and protecting grass
plats and borders in the avenues an
doing whatever may tend to improve III
city as place of residence. The pan
phlet contains the plans of organizatlo
and model constitution for such Oh
CARNATIONS. This latter matter we deer
worthy of consideration, and common
1t to the home-loving people of on
| thriving CITY,