The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-29
An ArbOr Day Letter.

Mr.. EditOr:-Thanks for the extra copies
of The WATCHMAN containing Governor
Pingree's excellent Arbor Day proclamation
and your earnest editorial supporting its
recommendations. | shall send them to
other states where such an influence is most
needed, and that influence will extend far
beyond the limits of Vermont. Governor
Pingree is the first governor in New Eng
land to start this movement, but will not be
the last 1t required foresight and courage
to take this stand Myriads of Vermonters
will observe the day, though do not antici-
pate the best results on the first trial. To
some it will seem novelty, if not an OBJ
trusive innovation, or even child'S play, but
ii will stand the test of experience and be
sustained by the sober second thought. 1t
was no surprise to me- after reading paper
on Arbor Day in schools at the national ed
vocational meeting in Washington in Feb
ruary, 1884, to hear prominent state school
superintendent say: This subject is out of
place in such an educational convention"
Even he has since been converted by the
logic of events. Three months later the
American Congress of Forestry, convened
in the same city, passed aresolution strongly
urging the observance of such day in all
our states, and appointed a committee, con-
sisting of the chief of the forestry division
of the national agricultural department, the
state superintendent of schools of West
Virginia and myself to carry out this meas
ure. AS chairman of that committee, have
pTeSenteu lillS subject, personally OF ny leu
ter, to the governors of our states and terri
tories, and so far with encouraging results.
Sixteen states have already adopted the
plan. In two states the movement was
started by the state board of agriculture or
farmers state grange. a bill on this sub
ject is pending in several legislatures. The
National Educational Association, at its
meeting in Wisconsin last July, with an at
tendance of over five thousand, including
my critic at the February meeting, unani-
mouSty adopted resolution recommending
the observance of Arbor Day in schools in
all our states, and that work has already
advanced far beyond my expectations. On
account of the inertia or indifference on this
subject, the difficulties are all met at the
outset. The essential thing is to start this
movement. When success is assured, one
example Will make many others. The be-
ginners in economic planting in Yer
mont will prove public benefactors. True,
the prohtS OF forestry are not immediate,
and many will SOW only where they can
quickly reap. With them, meager crop
soon in hand outweighs a golden harvest
long in maturing. Our youth should learn
to forecast the future as the condition OF
wisdom. Tree-planting is a discipline in
foresight-it is always planting for the fu-
ture. If the seventy-three thousand youth
of school age in Vermont should each plant
two trees, as is attempted in some states
you have nearly one hundred fifty thou
sand planted in single year. At an early
day, when public interest is duly awakened
more than this may be expected. Hence
this subject should be taught in our schools
But at once the objection arises, " the course
of study is already overcrowded," and this
fact L admit. But the requisite talks OF
trees, their value and beauty, need occup,
but two or three hours. In some large cities
like Boston or New York, there may be lit
tie or no room for tree-plantng, and no cal
for even a half-holiday for this work. bu
even there such talks or the memorizing O
suitable selections on trees, on the desig
mated day, would be useful. Such oral les
sons will lead our youth to realize that tree
are the grandest products of nature anC
form the finest drapery that adorns thi
earth in all lands Thus taught, they will
wish to plant and protect trees, whethe
forest, fruit or ornamental. Like grateful
children, trees bring rich filial returns an,
compensate a thousand-fold for all the car
they cost. Such love of trees, implanted il
the school and fostered in the home, will
make our youth practical arborists. Th
naples which | planted when mere bo
before the old homestead, now stately trees
have added new charms to that beautiful
spot to which | deem it a privilege to max
an annual visit Among the memories c
my boyhood, no day recurs with such salts
faction as that then devoted to tree-plan
ing. The interest thus awakened has grow
with years. | should be thankful if | coul
help put an equally grateful eXperienc
into the memories of the Vermont youth o
next May-day. Hence | urge each one o
that day to plant trees, vines shrubs {
flowers around the home, even if there is n
room on the school grounds. Thus an in
press will be made on minds, as well 6
grounds, that will be happy and lasting.
Clinton, Conn, April %, 1885.