New-York tribune., 1891-05-08
LRBOR DAY.
IT'S ORIGIN. GROWTH AND WIDESPREAD On
sERvANCE.

/
sERvANCE.
To the Editor Of The Tribunes
Sir: Arbor Day has become legalized institution
In thirty eight States Of the Union. Within the last
ten years the State Of NewYork through her Depart
ment OF Public Instruction has encouraged its OBJ
by the public schools until II has become an
established school holiday to be celebrated by the
parks and dedcatng them to authors, statesmen, and
distinguished citizens This has engendered wide
spread sentiment leading to the study Of trees and
their uses In identifying the landscape.
AS the time for this annual celebration is near
at hand, the history and growth OF this institution
in America may be of present interest Nebraska
the first State in whichan Arbor Day appointed.
This was in the spring Of 1874 Premiums were
offered by the State Board OF Agriculture and tho
State Horticultural Society to the settlers in that
prairie State for the largest number Of trees planted
by them on that day, and 1t is said that twelve
million forest trees were planted.
The first Tuesday Of May, 1876. was named by
Minnesota as her first Arbor Day, and every citizen
owning land invited to devote this day especially
to tree planting The returns show that million and
half trees were then planted Iowa and other States
followed with similar results
As consequence of the impetus thus given, vast
areas In those and other prairie states now
covered with benecent forests and settlements havo
advanced westward more than one hundred miles
impossible for agriculture to flourish account Of the
ralnless seasons. But these paintings were for
economic purposes and urged forward by pressing
necessity with results that have proven Of ncalculabe
I value TO the dwellers on our Western plains.
On April 81, 1882, at Cincinnati Ohio, at the close
OF three days convention Of distinguished citizens
from Canada and the United States interested In the
promotion OF forestry and the prevention of the wide
| spread waste and wapton destruction Of our most
valuable forests, Ohios first Arbor Day celebrated.
The excellent programme for this noted convention and
for the Arbor Day celebration was prepared by the
late DR.. John A. Warder, Superintendent John b..
Peasee Professor Leue and the writer. BY procla-
nation OF Governor Foster the last day Of the con-
vention had been appointed as Arbor Day. Ex-
tensive preparations had been made by the committee
this celebration II had arranged TO plant memorial
TO be dedicated to soldiers, statesmen authors,
and pioneer citizens Professor Adolph strauch, the
eminent landscape gardener laid out for this purpose
in Eden Park, suitable for Presidents Grove y
Battle Grove" Pioneer Grove "Authors' Grove, "
and Citizens Memorial Groven The children Of the
public schools had been instructed by familiar lessons
trees and planting and had selected the most
eminent American authors in whose honor they should
| plant and dedicate trees.
In preparation for this ceremony the different
schools or departments took up the study Of their
chosen author wrote essays and committed selections
for use upon this occasion. They organized
companies preparatory for the day. The trees had
been selected and planted, leaving only the work OF
| dedication to be performed.
On the morning of Arbor Day the city was in holl-
day attire. The military companies Of the city, COM
manded by Colonel 5. A. Whitfield, our present
First Assistant Postmaster General, the public
school children with their distinguishing badges,
under the direction Of their teachers and
in charge of Superintendent Peaselee and
great concourse of citizens marched in process
sion to the music of the bands to Eden Park,
and there took their places in the various
groves and around the respective trees which they
had been appointed to dedicate At the firing OF the
signal gun the dedlcatory exercises began, and at
the sound of the second gun half hour later, the
vast company gathered around the grand stand to
listen to eloquent addresses from distinguished orators
among whom were Governor NoyeS. eX-United states
Minister to France; the Hon. George B. Lorng Secre
tary of the Department Of Agriculture; the Hon
Cassius NJ Clay, exUnlted states Minister to Russia
and General Durbn Ward.
Fifty thousand citizens covered the grassy slopes
and crowning ridges of Eden Park No sight more
beautiful no ceremonies touching had ever been
witnessed in Cincinnati. An Important lesson IN
forestry had indeed been brought home TO the hearts
of the people and a of success was awarded TO
the American Forestry Congress:
and dedicated In America to authors, statesmen ana
' This Arbor Dav was the first practical illustration
study of literature and history with the love for trees
and the desire to nurture and protect them.
nv different states Of the Union, and through the
efforts Of the American Forestry Congress that was
then formed, than thiry-cght states nave since
provided for Arbor Day and its celebration by the
pmhlic schools These celebrations are the sure
foundation for the introduction Of an american system 5
Of sppear sSeisS d the Saon life must into
the nnbic schools" WARREN IIIGLEY
New-York, May 5, 1901.