Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-04-06
ARBOR DAY.

April Goth has been appointed by
Governor Peck as Arbor Day, and the
school children all over the state will
join in the exercises to be held in city,
town and country. 1t is to be hoped,
and is a consummation worth more
than passing thought, that those on
whom the welfare of the city most
depends will exert themselves to bring
about more general observance of the
day than We have heretofore had. Let
the twin cities join in making this
beautiful holiday memorial
We are entering on a new era of
prosperity, and now if ever we need to
lay the foundation for the beautifying
of our home city. The Centralia High
school is an object of admiration to
strangers who visit us, and we are
pleased to note the we'll merited praise
bestowed on the primitive beauty of
its grounds by journals throughout the
state. Every scholar trained within
its walls has love for its shady retreats
and regard for the pines that will
follow them through life. Such attach
ments are elevating. They tend to re-
fine and cultivate the affectional nature
of humanity, as well as plant the seeds
of deep love Of nature and a desire to
know this one phase, tree life, better.
In our native woods within easy dis
tance of the city any number of beauti-
full trees of maple and elm, of pine and
fir, of birch, box alder, and linden can
be had for the getting, and would add
immensely to the artistic value of the
city, if transplanted along our river
bank or clustered in picturesque effects
on our public grounds. Our river is
beautiful at this point and offers natural
advantages that are unsurpassed for
decorative effects.
The intrinsic value Of tree planting is
not to be ignored. While private citi-
zens are laying out money to improve
their homes, and are building with an
eye to beauty as well as utility, it is OBJ
servable that property adjoining we'll
kept grounds, and on pleasant avenues
and streets has much higher money
value than that left with the debris of
half century upon it or in a state Of
nature when unadorned. People seek
ing homes and investments are in
1uenced greatly by the beauty of
scenery. River views, and shade trees,
wide avenues and picturesque effects
enhance the money value of a city as
place to build home in.
If every man. woman and child in
the twin cities would contribute nickle
toward a tree planting fund, a row of
elms and naples could fringe our river
front while each church, and public
building could have shady nook where
with rustic seats to sit on, the weary
might rest bit as they strolled about
the town.
We do not presume however to point
out ways to accomplish the desired end,
but approaching the undeveloped
beauty of our cities, and having a fond
ness in common with most of those
who have lived on the banks of this
beautiful river, and noted year by year
the marvellous beauty of our trees
from spring to fall, and even in winters
frigid time we make the suggestion that
Arbor Day be observed in a practical
manner. Can our city council act in
the matter and use the team and man
in their employ to help in the work?
A person who moved from here, where
he was very popular once wrote, every
pine tree that see here, seems to say
stranger! stranger! and | sometimes
| long to return to Grand Rapids where
every pine murmurs home, home come
home" Our boys and girls as they go
out in the world carry with them
greater love for the home that has i'm
pressed their finer sense of beauty.
| Let us make our city attractive, and
home like even as our individuals are
so.