Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-04-29
The Proclamation of the Governor
and Recommendations of the Edu-
catiOnal Department Thereto.
Some Valuable Suggestions that
Ought to b. Acted Upon by
all the Schools.
A Vote to he Taken Among the
School Children on the "Most
Popular State Flower.
Arbor Day.

The state department of public
instruction has issued a circular on
Arbor Day, urging it's observance by the
public schools throughout the state.
The circular contains some excellent
suggestions as to the kind of trees to
plant, the manner of planting, ETC.,
taken from foresters of experience and
whose admonitions should be needed.
A table is also published showing the
work in. this line performed by the
schools of the state last year. 1t is
shown that Notwithstanding many of the
schools failed to observe the day 2,4O9
trees were planted. Number of schools
in session on Arbor Day, All; number of
schools observing Arbor Day, 274. The
vote of pupils for state flower showed a
preference for the rose, 2,478 votes be-
ing cast for it, against 487 for the lilly,
400 for the goldenrod, 3O7 for the violet,
$50 for the pansy and 60 for the daisy.
1t is expected a great deal more interest
will be taken Il these statistics this year
and the friends of the %goldenrod hope
to succeed in securing a majority in
favor of it for the estate flower"
The state superintendent of public in
struction, among other things says:
1t is expected that this day will be OBJ
served by every school. 1t is a legal holi
day only in the sense implied in this circu.
lar. The peculiar exercises of the school
make it a holiday in the interest of the
state. The teacher, therefore, is not at
liberty to dismiss the school or change the
order OF its exercises for any other purpose
than that indicated in the governors proc
lamatlOn.
The object is a most worthy one: and,
on our western p~rairies, a most necessary
one. One of the most %forbidding features
OF our country SchOOlhOuSeS is the absence
of trees and %shrubbery. This dreary
aspect cannot be wholly removed by plant
ing a tree or two, or q dozen. every ArbOr
Day. Neither can it be expected that on
cises are of a literary character, that much
hard work can be done, such as the plant
ing OF a hundred trees, or such a matter
1t is suggested, therefore, that the neigh
bOrS meet on some convenient day and
pillow a firebreak on the line, on three sides
back, right and left, while the front should
be left for walks, flower beds and orna-
mental trees. This firebreak should be
planted with trees and cultivated and
cared for in the same manner as trees
planted on ArbOr Day. This will soon re-
lieve these schOOlhOuses Of their dreary and
solitary appearance, will be a defence
against winds and storms in winter. as
we'll as against fire and the hot sun in
summer; for in order to cultivate all that
is good and noble in the children, we must
make the schoolhouse attractive and lovely
"a home for the cultivation of patriotism,
honesty, industry, sSbriety and purity.
The planting of trees OH ArbOr Day
shOnld he accompanied by literary exer
ciSes of a high character, so tina in.
terest may be aroused and maintained
among the pupils. Such exercises are
beneficial in calling attention to the uni.
versal influence of trees on climatic con
ditions, and thus on the earth's production
and in cultivating in the children a love
for nature in all her various forms, especi-
ally for trees, shrubs and flowers. Next To
familiarity with great books, all acquaipt.
ance thus formed with nature will tend
most to the development of a refined and
noble character.
The naming of trees for authors and
other illustriOus persons has been found to
lend additional interest to the ceremonies
of the day.
In celebrating the day. teachers are ad.
vised to call to their aid persons that are
not Immediately connected with their
schools, but are practically acquainted
with the best ways of planting trees. and
capable, either by speaking or writing
OF impressing citizens and pupils with the
purpose for which the day is set apart.