The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-28

not until 1852 were public school pupils
interested in IT, The year before "A rocep-
ton was given by the citizens Of Cincin-
natl. O.. 10 the Won Stcuben family, Of
Germany. who were Oh tour through the
country after visit 10 Yorktown, IN
whose centennial celebration they took part
Ono Of the party, Baron Richard Won
Steuben. the roval chief forester Of the
German empire, talked on forestry. As re-
suit the gentlemen who heard bin met n
January, 1851 and discussed the subject
Talking was not all they did, however. A
committee was organized, and for three
months forestry was the theme Of many press
articles In April three days meeting was
held Ia Cincinnati az which We're many noted
forester. from the United States and Canada
The schools were closed for two days ia order
that She children might take part in Arbor
Law exercises Re- We're planted and named
bv groups. Presidents Grove Pioneers
Grove Battle Grove. "Citizens Memorial
Grove" and "Author- Grove" These exer-
ci-es closed the first session Of the American
Forestry congress, representing tue United
States ani Canada.
The purposes of Arbor day are manifold.
4 trscIo-. country Is barren and grave fears
have heen entertained as 20 the results of the
recent extensive tree cutting done IN our
country for commercial purposes. The Gus
tom at tree planting is designed To counteract
ihe effects Of this havoc. The poet Whittier
says. The wealth. beauty, fertility and
nealthfulncss Of the country largely depend
np0n the conservation NJ our forests and the
planting of trees and Hon. Emil Rothe ha,
uttered this telling argument IN favor of
Arhor day: aLet the hills bee deprived ot the
protection which the forests afford and half
the area of our state will be sterile IN less
,han fifty years.
The leaves of trees are well known purifiers
f tho air. absorbing poisonous gases and
throwing of oxygen The decay OF fallen
caves makes soil fertile Forests are pro.
.ection against high winds The presence of
reos make. the climate better, crops surer
and vegetable products larger Mr. George
T.. Marsh writing in the official Arbor day
-ep0rt oi the United States b.rcau of edncn.
i0n says The planting of mountains will
.imiuish the frequency and violence Of river
nundaflln, prevent the formation of Tor.
-ent-. mitigate the extremes OF atmospheric
temperature. humidity aud precipitation. re.
TORE dried up springs, riyulets and source NJ
irritation. shelter the fields from chilling nni
r0m pafchng winds. prevent the spread Of
uia-matic eniuyil and finally, furnish au
neyhaustlbls and self renewing supply oi
material Indispensable 10 SD many purp0r-
Il domestic comfort, 10 the successful eyer
i~. Of every act Of peace every destructive
mercy Of war"
Tho design u Arbor day is more than eco
ionic. it is aesthetic Is thcro not much in
making "a landscape beautiful, and in teach
~ q child % comprehend the possibilities in
rolved 10 planting a tree on shoot or seed
rvng declared that there is "a serene and
erticd majesty In woodland scenery that
nter- into the soul, delights and clevaie- it
and Gil, 10 with nObler emotions The beau
flying not only of school grounds but also If
auus, yards and rCadsides will enlist The
/ lelp Of all Ia the village or city The Chief
natural beauty Of some countries la Europe
.stsof the avenues Of magnificent trees
which adorn them Roadside trees grow on
( and which would otkerw iserun 10 waste, aud
! held large returns for the care given them.
The celebration Of ArDor day viii interest
leople in forestry Finding ont how little
hey know about II, they will begin to study
10 trees. and viii alwoysand itan interesting
ask. ln the school room especially the sub.
ect will form the basis for numerous lessons
u nature, and pupils viii enjoy making coli
ections Of different woods for study
Finally the planting OF trees or groves %
commemorate great events and 70 immortal
ze great men and women, will have deer
influence uponyoung people. The groves can
g marked by tablets prepared for the pur
r9se. or by stoLes sunk In the groun1. Tres