Morning journal and courier., 1885-03-12
asne aptrrma1 ana Gnmrier.
Thursday, March 12, 1885.
ARROR DAY.


 The Subject of the Protection and Ex-
 tension of Forest s-Extracts From an
 Article by the Hon. B. c. NorthroP.
 Following is an extract from an article to appear in the Chatauquan for April by the Hon B. G. Northrop, IL. D., on the subject "Arbor Day."
 Recent spring floods and the diminished flow of rivers in summer have called public attention to the cause and the remedy as never before. At the opening of the last ses- sion of Congress it's attention was called to the subject of forestry for the first time in any presidential message Bills for the pro- lection and extension of forests are now be- fore Congress and before many State legisla- tures The last census presents striking facts which prove this to be a question of both State and national importance. The recent action of the national government shows q new appreciation of forestry. The marvel now is that the general government fId not earlier seek to protect it's magnificent foA>sts, once the best and most extensive in the horld But ee all these agencies no one has awak- eheS so general an interest in arbor1culture Hs the appointment of Arbor day. by Gov erhors of States, by legislatures, and by
 
 scnoois The pfa- of Arbor day is simple and inexpensive, and a-ance the more readily adopted and widely effectl-a. In some States the work has been we'll done without any legislation. The best results, however, are secured when an act is passed requesting the Governor, each spring, to recommend the observance of Arbor day by a special mes sage. The chief magistrate of the State thus most effectually calls the attention of all the people to it's importance, and secures gen eral and concerted action. How forests con- serve the water supplies and lessen floods is aside from the topic of this paper.
 As the destruction of forests has been going on for centuries, the remedy must be the work of time, for it must include slow processes and agencies, each separately min ute, which become important when multi piled by myriads and extended over broad areas. Arbor day has proved such an agency A brief history of Arbor day will show it's aims. The surprising results already accom- plished promise still broader influence in the near future.
 Four years ago the legislature of Michigan requested the Governor to appoint an Arbor day. Such an appointment has been repeat ed each succeeding April. For the last three years similar day has been appointed by the Governor of Ohio. Many schools, espe- cially those of Cincinnati and Columbus fitly kept the designated day.
 West Virginia furnishes another illustra- ton of the influence of observing Arbor day in schools In the face of many difficulties, State School Superintendent Butcher appoint cd Arbor day in schools in April, 1883.
 The result exceeded his expectations It started good influences on minds as well as grounds This great success prompted a sim ilar observance last April, for which greater preparations were made, with still better re- suits.
 It may be objected to Arbor day, or to any lessons on forestry in schools, that the course of study is already overcrowded, and this fact admit. But the requisite talks on trees, their value and beauty, need occupy but two or three hours. In some large cities there may be little or no room for tree planting, and no call for even half holiday for this work, but even there such talks, or the memorizing of suitable selec- tions, on the designated day, would be impressive and useful The es- sential thing is to start habits of observation and occupation with trees, which will prompt pupils in their walks, or when at work, or subject, which Superintendent Peaslee says were the most interesting and profitable lessons the pupils of Cincinnati ever had in a single day, occupied only the morning of Arbor day, the afternoon being given to the practical work. Such talk will lead our youth, to admire trees, and real ize that they are the grandest pro- ducts of nature, and form the finest drapery that adorns this earth in all lands Thus taught, they will wish to plant and protect trees, and find in their own happy expert ence that there is peculiar pleasure in their parentage, whether forest, fruit or ornamen- tal-a pleasure which never cloys, but grows with their growth. Like grateful children, trees bring rich filial returns, and compen- gate thousand fold for all the care they cost. This love of trees, early implanted in the school, and fostered in the home, will make our youth practical arborists.
 Arbor day has already initiated move ment of vast importance in eight States. In tree planting, the beginning only is difficult The obstacles are all met at the outset, be- cause they are usually magnifed by the pop liar ignorance of this subject. It is the first step that costs-at least, it costs effort l 0 set the thing on foot, but that step once aken, others are sure to follow. This very act that the main tug is at l ia of ignorance and indifference, shows 1 hat such start should be made easy, as is | pest done by an Arbor day proclamation of he Governor, which assure to interest and 1 enlist the youth of an entire state in the ,ocd work. When the school children are he home or school grounds, the aggregate l lumber planted will be more than twice that l ,f the children enlisted, for parents and the l public will participate in the work.
 The influence of Arbor day in schools in | just appreciation of trees, first | lmong pupils and parents, and then the peo l ,le at large, is of vast importance in another 1 expect. The frequency of forest fires is the | ,reatest hindrance to practical forestry. But l ct the sentiment of trees be duly cultivated, l ;rst among our youth and then among the | ,eople, and they will be regarded our | rierds, as is the case in Germany. The | public need to learn that the inter | sts of all classes are concerned in the | observation of forests. Through the teach l ng of their schools this result wss long since accomplished in Germany, Switzerland, Swe- len and other European countries. The }eo- 'le everywhere realize the need of protecting rees. An enlightened public sentiment has ,royed better guardian of their forests than he national police. A person wantonly set ing fire to forest would there be looked Ipon as an outlaw, like the miscreant who hould poison public drinking fountain.