Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-23
THE ARBoR DAY MOVEMENT.

Some days ago the REcoRD-UNIoN re-
ferring to the suggestive circular of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, that
the school authorities in the several coun-
ties appoint Arbor Days and endeavor to
interest children in their observance, APP
proved the idea. The press of the State
generally has warmly commended the sug-
gestion, and action has already been taken
in the matter in several counties. Super
intendent Hoitt has received official infor-
nation that the following dates have been
selected in these counties: Fresno, Febru-
airy 18th; Kern, March 9TH; Lake, March
It'll; Monterey, March 18th; San Benito,
March 7th; San Bernardino, April 18th,
Yolo, February 18th.
1t is to be hoped that in every county a
date will be fixed upon, and that the chill
dren will be given clear information of the
purpose of Arbor Days, and the value OF
forestry to the State and the nation 1t is
subject that is full of interest, and which
the Juvenile mind will readily grasp and
adhere to. There is no difficulty in ex-
citing and maintaining enthusiasm among
school-children regarding planting and
the care of trees given to their keeping
What is now needed is plain, brief COM
pilation of the literature of the subject,
prepared especially for reading by chill
dren. 1t is also essential that young trees
shall be supplied them to plant and care
for until maturity of the tree is obtained.
Doubtless there are scores of public
spirited citizens who will furnish the neces-
sary tree plants for the Arbor Days of the
schools 1t is said that two or three such
in San Francisco and vicinity have offered
to furnish several thousand tree
plants for this purpose, and certainly in
every county there will develop
a liberal spirit Of the same order. Surely
we ought to be able to interest fifty or
sixty thousand children in the subject, and
cultivate in them pride and a spirit of
generous rivalry in the pleasant work of
planting trees and guarding them until
such time as they will need no special at
tention. We would thus have at least a
hundred thousand trees planted and cared
for annually, and in five years time the
aggregate of new tree growth, after allow
ing liberal percentage for failures, would
reach half a million.
These trees in the valleys, foothills and
coast regions would be of inestimable
benefit. But the good results would not
stop there; the example of the school chill
dren would be followed by adults, so that
ii would be reasonable TO anticipate the
successful cultivation in the next five
years of million of useful trees. In Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Indiana and some other
States Arbor Day is practically holiday
1t is made the occasion Of rejoicing and of
public gatherings, where addresses are
made and some formal but charming exer-
cises are carried on. In Ohio the Chief
Executive attends at some populous point,
leads the Arbor Day exercises, and awards
prizes for success in cultivating trees. In
several of the States royalty is paid for
every tree planted and cared for for two
years; in others the law is otherwise en-
couraging the spirit of forestry and foster
ing the Arbor Day celebrations. Let US
hope that similar interest will develop
in California, and that this branch of
natural history will become exceedingly
familiar to all the people, and enlist their
active sympathies and cooperation.