Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-03-22
Arbor Day and the Public Schools.
OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION, :
Baltimore, March Is, 1889. J

Baltimore, March Is, 1889.
Dear Sir The Governor in pursuance
of law has appropriated the 10th of April
next to be observed as "Arbor Day"
The purpose of this observance is TO in
spire the young with Il love of trees, to pre-
vent the unnecessary destruction of our
remaining forests, and to lead ia IL more
general system OF tree planting and tree
culture.
You will notify the teachers of your coun
ty that the ordinary school exercises will be
omitted on Arbor Day; and that the pupils
shall assemble at the school house at an APP
pointed hour with their friends and neigh
bOrs
Appropriate selections should be read,
suitable songs sung, and essays read by the
pupils. Addresses by citizens OF the neigh
borhood would also be in order, either in
the school room or on the ground
AT the conclusion of the literary exercises
the tree, or trees, will be planted and named.
The trees must be procured beforehand, and
all necessary arrangements made. Ii the
school premises do not afford suitable place
let the trees be planted by the roadside, and
in such away that in successive years line
of shade trees will grow up. Ii the school
prefers to plant fruit trees, there is no oh
lection The pear and cherry are graceful
and excellent ornamental trees for the way
side
One. OF our leading nursery men says,
"Pant smut trees. | would not accept
three year Olds as a gilt where could buy
warnings at Il reasonable rate"
The following hints on hOao 10 punt are
by DR. Ii. q. Northrop in the report of the
Secretary of the Connecticut Board Of Agr
culture:
"Let the holes be dug beforehand, and
deeper and wider than is neeiul 10 receive
the roots when spread TO the utmost. Great
care is needed in lifting or digging up trees
80 as to get the most and longest roots pos
sible, aud especially the fine capillary root
let's When first dug up, the roots should
be set in II box or barrel and covered with
moist leaves. n Spread some four
inches of good soil in the ample hole. Set
the tree about three inches lower than it
stood before, spread its roots carefully in all
directions AS they grew. Churn the tree
gently while rich, pulverized soil is thrown
| upon the roots, working it around them
with the hand 50 that NO empty spaces be
left dashing water on the roots to secure
their closest embrace by the soil tread th e
earth firmly about the roots; cover the
whole with little loose earth 10 prevent
| the surface from baking; leave the soil
around the tree little lower than the gen
eIdi lcVcI' anu m"'oh iooiJ WIN o'i"" Vi
! leaves"
To ensure success, everything must be
made ready beforehand.
| Advantage might also be taken OF ArbOr
| Day To screen the outbuidingS with ever
greens, such as Norway spruce hemlOck,
arbor vitae or holly and small cedars which
can be had in our own woods.
Twenty six States have by Act of Legs
lature or orders OF the State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, adopted Arbor Day
as an annual festival. 1t has not been the
privilege OF Maryland To tepd in this, AS she
has done in 50 many other instances; but
let US follow steadily in the footsteps ol
those who have gone before us. and marked
the track. NJ. A. NEWELL,
| Sec'y State Board Of Education.
To }. j. HiGGINs, ESQ,
Secretary, Treasurer and Examiner.