Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-09-13
STATE ARBOR DAY.


Government ground for the purpose, he
proved himself to be philosophical and
broad-minded man. At the time, the
REcoRD-UNIoN suggested that October
50th was too early a date. A letter was
sent from this Office to General Howard
calling his attention to the fact that in the
dry valleys tree planting could not be en-
gagged in with any profit until after some
considerable rain had fallen. This letter
General Howard transmitted to Mr..
Miller, with the advice to consider the
objection well. We have now letter
from Mr. Miller saying that in order to
meet the objection raised and to give a
date after the fall of rain prepares the
earth, the Arbor Day has been put a
month later, on the last Saturday in
November. This is nearer the right time.
With early and plentiful rains that date
will serve. With late rains it may be
necessary to put it later still, but We
trust not, for the preparations will now be
made for the last days in November.
What remains to be done is to arouse pub
lie attention to the full meaning of this
initial effort. The scheme is to be one of
great Importance to this people, and
every man, woman and child in California
of physical capacity, ought to plant tree
on the 9th of November and care for it
until it can care for itself Now this is a
small thing to do for the individual, but
the aggregate beneficial result will be very
great. Suppose two hundred thousand
trees are planted and that only one hun
dred thousand come TO maturity, that
number of sound trees Will have direct
influence upon the climate and the
soil. Repeated Tor five Or six years we
will have along the north site of most
farms, wind breaks OF inestimable value; in
moist sections the results will be less APP
preciable than in the valleys where the
humidity of the atmosphere will be in
creased, and the temperature lowered. In
low land the soil will be cleared of undue
moisture, and in dry places greater precip-
itation by rain secured Upon the coast
and in warmer atmospheres there will be
full compensation in several ways just as
there viii be in high attitudes. We can
not now consider in detail the positive
beneficial effects of the planting, and
recite the equalizing effects on climate,
the increase Of wood supply, the protec-
ton to man and beast the contribution to
health, the driving out Of malarial infu
ences, the identifying of the landscape,
&c. Tree planting and culture will have
It's moral and social effect and engage the
thoughts of the children in the State in
directions that will broaden their intelli-
gence, quicken thought, inspire them with
eoodly sentiment and encourage them in
philosophical enterprises. The thing
now to do is to arrange for a supply of
young trees. Happily these are easily and
cheaply procured, and of the best varie-
ties. There is scarcely family in all the
State that cannot afford by the last of No
yember to procure young orange, lemon,
fir, walnut, elm, or other ornamental shade
or fruit bearing tree Just as far as pos
sible these ought to be set out along public
highways, and upon the north side Of farm
tracts. They should be protected by
boxes or stakes, wired about securely to
prevent damage from rowing stock, and
the soil should be well and deeply loosened,
cleared of other growth, and in all ways
made fit for the new occupant. Children
should be encouraged to name the trees
singly or in small groves, and compete
with each other in securing the best re
suits. When they come to manhood and
womanhoood they will look upon these
trees and groves of trees they have SO
named, with utmost pride and satisfaction.
On last Arbor day in Ohio 100000 chill
dren took part in celebrating Arbor day,
and quite as many adults, while
as many more looked on and
aided by making the occasion in
the truest sense holiday by
uniting in the professions gatherings
and entertainments. Seven States in the
Union have now their Arbor Days estab-
lished by law and four States pay a
premium-small but encouragiug-to all
who plant trees on these days and bring
them to a certain degree Of maturity.
There is not a State in the Union where
forestry has not now engaged public and
legislative attention. 1t is the one subject
upon which all the people are agreed in
doing something to resupply Goods first
temples" Mr. Adolph Sutro, wealthy
citizen of San Francisco, comes forward
with proposition to furnish 10000 chill
dren in San Francisco with 10000 trees to
plant on Arbor Day in that city, Five
wears hence these 10000 trees, or il but
half are cared for and live, the 10000 will
be recognized blessings by all the people
of the metropolis. There are other citizens
who can and probably will provide some
thousands of trees for the children in other
sections, while tens of thousands will pre-
fer to select their own trees and pay for
them the few cents they will cost. AT all
events, let the Arbor Day in California be
a real one, and let every citizen who feels