New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-25
ARRoR Day IN THIS STATE.

The custom of setting apart one day in each
year for tree-planting by schOol-children has
become general. 1t was stated at the Ameri-
can Forestry Congress last December that Ar
Dor Day is now kept in nearly every State OF
the Union and in some of the Territories Ten
States have placed il on their calendars during
the last two years, New-York being of the
number Its first observance in this State will
occur on May 8. When the proposition TO
establish such day was first considered in our
Legislature, several years ago, sonne Of the
members argued that the date ought TO be In
April But it was shown that as RULE April
would be too early to set out trees in the north
en counties After free discussion May 3
was fixed upon as being not too late for the
southern counties nor too early for the north
ern. South Carolina devotes week annually
to tree planting, and it was the sense Of the
Forestry Congress at the meeting referred to
that IL would be well il the rest Of the country
would follow her example. 1t is doubtful, how
ever, If It ever will. Busy people can hardly
afford formally to set apart 90 much time for
the task in this busy age.
It "a to be hoped and expected that school
teanhers all over the State viii earnestly CO.
operate with the Superintendent Of Public In
struction, who Is charged with the duty Of pre-
scribing exercises to be conducted in carrying
out the Arbor Day law. Some years ago Pro
fessor Brewer, Of Yale, mentioned three good
reasons why such day was to be heartily COM
mended " In the first place." he remarked,
/" it gives the children good bit Of Natures
teaching, of which they are sorely in need.
Then, too, il Is the means Of spreading wood
growing in the State. And in the third place
it beautifes the country!n These cogent rea-
sons are mentioned in the order of their rela-
tive importance. The educational value of the
day, its influence In creating or stimulating o
genuine love for the works of Nsture-that il
the chief value OF the Observance. That there
is urgent need that the public attention should
be directed TO tree planSng is conceded by
every one who is familiar with the statistics
showing the rapid destruction Of our forests.
Ten years ago IL was estimated that the timber
of New-York was disappearing at the rate Of
10000 acres o year Since then laws have
been passed which have somewhat restrained
the woodman's axe; but that weapon is still
being welded too industriously, especially In
the Adirondacks. The work of destruction is
certain TO continue, and 1t is incumbent upon
these who have the welfare of the State at
heart to Offset the trees that dsappeaFb by plant
ing others to take their place. To do so is not
only to conserve It's material prosperity, but
to beautify the State.
In choosing trees for planting the children
are not likely to go astsay. The sugar maple,
the Eastwood, the white pine, the white oak,
the birch, the hopsechestnut, tho elm, are all
worthy TO be candidates ior the honors Of the
day. In reaching decision personal prefer
snces may have to give way, the first con-
sidcration being to select trees that are adapted
to TIE soil and locality in which they are to
be placed,