The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-04-01
THE EXCELLENCE OF TEACHING.
Tree Planting, Literary Exercises and
Music Recommended.
REMOVE THE BRIAR THICKETs.

Friday next will he Arbor day in Ores.
egon, and bearing upon the beautiful:
side of the subject, Supt. Troy Shelly is
in receipt of the following communica-
ton from the Hon. E. B. McElroy,
State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton:
DEAR SIR: In compliance with the
law relative to Arbor Day, the first
general circular was issued by direction
of the State Board of Education March
so, 1883. The second circular pro-
gramme was issued to school officers
March 10, 1890. The third programme
was published and distributed March
II, 1891. Sufficient numbers of these
circulars are sent out each year to
County and City Superintendents to
supply each school with at least one
. copy.
If climatic conditions are such that it
may be thought best to plant trees prior
or subsequent to the second Friday in
April, the trees to be dedicated may be
selected and planted at any time during
the months of March or April that may
for the life and growth of the same.
The formal dedicatory exercises relative
to the trees thus planted can be given on
Arbor Day.
Where impracticable to plant trees !;
shrubs, vines or flowers may be substi-
tuted. flower bed may be laid out,
and vines set in or seeds planted. If
brier thickets, chdparrdl, or other un-
derbrush surround the school-house or
school-ground, such unsightly objects
may be cleared away. The barren and
bleak walls of many school houses may
be, decorated and made more cheerful.
In brief, the exercises on Arbor Day
should not be confined to tree planting
alone, but may well include any mater
ial improvement that will tend to make
the school surroundings more attractive
and healthful and impress upon the
minds-of the children the idea of the
beautiful as we'll as the useful,
The question of the preservation of
our remaining forests, and subsidiary to
that, the planting of trees, has been
deemed so important by thoughtful men,
that the Lawmakers of a number of our
states have been led to set apart by stat
utory enactment day in each year to
be devoted to such exercises as may tend
to .aronse, public interest in thessubject,
and Particularly on the part of tho youth
in attendance at school,
The school exercises should be varied
from year to year, so that an interest
once excited among pupils may not flag
from smonotopy. The purpose of such
exercise is two fold: I'D To call atten-
tion to the immense influence of trees on
climatic conditions, and, thus on all the
earth's productions, and (2) to cultivate
in children a love for. nature in all hel
various forms, especially for trees, shrubs
and flowers. To carry forward the lat
ter object the children should be en-
couraged to plant trees about their school
grounds and their homes, and eonnec-
ted with this, to cultivate flowers and
ornamental plants. Next to famil-
iarity with good books, an acquaintance
X MS formed with nature will tend most
to the development of refined and noble
character. A school house. surrounded
by fine trees, the spaces between being.
filled with well cared for flower beds.
speaks well for. the community in which
it IS found. -
The planting of trees on. <Arb6r Day.
should be accompanied bylfterary ex-
ercises of high character, not neglecting
to give music prominent place. The
naming of trees for authors and other
illustrious persons, the pupils giving at
the same time a sketch of their. lives,
has been found TO lend additional in
terest to the ceremonies of the day.
In celebrating the day, ,superiniendents
and teachers are advised to can to their
aid persons that are rot 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 Gift
zens and pupils with the purpose for
which the day is set apart
Arbor Day has already speoyed TO be
an efficient educational agent in this
state In several particulars
l.. A greater appreciation of the value
of trees has been awakened among all
classes children, teachers, parents, and
people in general.
2. The day has been observed by very
many. schools, the pupils and parents
uniting in programme of special exer-
cises consisting Of tree planting, speak
3. School children have been en-