Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-01
ARBOR DAY OBSERVANCE.
IsA't Tex - Ready to Fail in Limo With the
Other States.

Isn't Tex - Ready to Fail in Line With the
Other states.
COLLEGE STATIo1, TEX.
Editor Texas Farm and Ranch:
In many states an annual holiday has
already been established for the purpose
Of encouraging the planting of trees, vines
snd shrubs. The ides originated, nstur-
slly,in those western .rairie states where
an actual need WAS felt fer some system
to promote especially forest tree plant
ing; but the older eastern states were not
slow to follow, and with them, probably,
the greatest benefit has bsen found In the
educational effect of the system upon the
younger portion OF society.
We may not limit our understanding
of "Arbor Day" to the question OF for
est tree planting alone. The planting Of
trRit, shade snd ornamental trees, vines,
shrubs and flowers for home comfort,
use and beauty Is each Of equal igpor-
lance and In many states will lesd tO
even grester results. There is nothing
which will better train the observing
faculties than close practical study Of
nature IS seen in her trees, fruits and
flowers, and can conceive of no measure
better calculated to develop an apprecla-
ton Of sucn training than the observance
of an annual Arbor Day.
Governor Church, Of Dakota, on the
Goth OF March last, issued little proc
lsmation, which will bear quoting as an e1-
ample of combined scope and concise
ness. He says:
"In conformity with cus'om and TIE
sentiment OF the people, I, Louis <.
Church, Governor of Dakots, do hereby
designate Wednesday, April 25, as Ar
Dor Day, for thst portion Of Dakota lying
south OF the seventh standard parallel of
latitude, and Thursday, May 8, IS
Arbor Day for that portion Of Dakota ly-
ing north Of such parallel, and 1 do
hereby declare the same legal holiday
and request that the people de-
vote the day IS DESIGNATED to the
planting of trees, shrubs and vines in and
about public and private grounds and
ways, and 1 especially urge appropriate
observance In our public schools, and
that public officials and citizens generally
aid in making the day enc that will confer
q blessing to the future So well as bene-
ifs to the present."
The Governor then calls attention to
some of the Laws Of the Territory relative
to forestry, among them an set providing
for payment from the Territorial Treas
ury Of an ennusl bounty OF 80 per acre
for ten years to eli persons who pisnt an
acre or more to forest trees between 1885
and 1890 and keep the same In healthy,
growing condition.
The Dakota Agricultural College and
Experiment Station in Bulletin No. ),
lately Issued, discusses "Arbor Day, Why
to Plant, What to Plant, How to Plant"
in manner which shows hesrty SYM
pathy with the measure and reflects cred
ii upon Prof. Refer who so sbiy fills the
chair Of Forestry in the institution men
toned. At least twenty OF the states and
territories have already fallen into lie by
adopting an annual Arbor Day, and it
seems pertinent to ask at this time, Is not
Texas resdy for q similar measure?
The A. & M. College can do something
toward making an Arbor Day Of value not
only TO her students, but to the people Of
the state; the state horticultural and for
estry societies could help greatly; the
Grange and Alliance could do much, and
the common schools Of our state could do
still more.
Let me urge upon au who are inter
ested, the necessity Of keeping this mat
ter strongly before the people, until pub
lie sentiment will demand and must re-
ce!vs from our law makers and state ex-
ecute, recognition in full measure OF Its
importance. GEO. W. CURTIS,
Secretary State Forestry Society.