Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-19

Day celebration, which comes around regu-
larly with the spring, is that it will give
the American people better knowledge Of
trees and their uses. The Wild extravaganza
of the enthusiasts in planting trees innumer-
able, without much regard to their suitable
ness or vitality, discouraged many in their at
tempt to re-forest the country, and the first
half dozen years after Arbor Day won an
established place among our holidays seemed
to do more injury than good to the cause Of
practical and intelligent forestry. Many of
the plantations and rows of street trees
failed through improper selections aud
worse care, and the failures discouraged
many others from the work and engendered
belief that all attempts in this direction
are hopeless. Distorted and sickly growths
or early deaths followed in the footsteps oi
the early enthusiasts; but the observance of
that day has gradually exerted beneficial
influence in fastening the time when tree
planters can give an intelligent rea son for
choosing a particular tree for a given place
or purpose. and when they know how to
plant it properly and to give it the care it
needs thereafter.
In many of the schools some elementary
principles of tree life and planting are being
given to the children, and this is one of the
greatest advantages that could result from
such a holiday. Every recurring Arbor
Day should be preceded in the schools by a
systematic course of instruction in practical
forestry, giving the children general ac-
count of the importance of the question, the
needs of trees. the purposes to which they
may be applied, and various other equally Y
important subjects.
In early Roman DAYS the sum ptuous cit v
as we'll as country homes were adorned with
trees. parks and gardens which outrivaled
anything that we can show to-day. The
trees were held in higher regard by the
Romans than the Americans have ever
manifested toward them; but this is partly
due to the fact that trees in a new country
are so abundant that nobody notices them.
They are everywhere, and that very fact
makes them common and unnoticeable.
The increasing population, however, is
gradually encroaching upon the woody do
main, and trees in certain localities are al
ready looked upon as luxuries. In the
spring of the year more trees are needed Tor
planting, and it should be custom where
land is plentiful to plant one or more good,
vigorous saplings every Arbor Day, and
then see that it is carefully attended to until
it is full grown.
The beautiful practice Of planting memo
rial trees is one against which no one can
offer objections, and if child is induced to
give closer observation to tree because it is
called by his name, the gain is substantial.
For the child will be induced to cultivate
observation and study Of the tree and Its
companions.
In preparing for the spring planting of
trees it should be remembered that the trees
must harmonize with the existing natural
features of the ground; they should not de-
stroy, but should, if possible, emphasize its
natural character. Even for suburban lots
the proper arranging and planting of trees
require much knowledge of the plants. and
careful preliminary study both on paper
and on the ground. In the suburbs of every
city, and on many country estates, nursery
novelties are arranged with poor effect,
spelling even the native wood and shrub
berry. For this the owner is certainly to
blame and not the nurserymsn.
g. g. WALTERS.