Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-04-28


snow. but the weather having feieh'eo
u little there is prospect Tor sue
Cessful celebration on that Gay allel
all. Whatever the weather, next II
div. the 2Sth, is the day set pv lne
governor, and all preparations, which
were begun before the blusteflnS
weather and while promises OF bright
spring were upon us, Will be cdfri'-o o'''
Although no attempts at pohN'us
.lisplay will be made, the SchoolS OIL
Madison intend to observe the day Ia
n. fitting manner and arrangements are
well nigh completed. The university
also does not intend to be behind III
the matter. and will see that trees are
set in places upon the grounds where
they are needed most. The state Sp
perintendant says that the day VIII DC
very generally observed throughout the
state. The district schools nave taken
hold of the movement as they never
did in r1eyious years and the press OF
the whole state has emphasized the
importance of the observance unaln-
mously. One has but to look out OF
the car window as he travels through
our state to see how much need there
is for more trees about SCHOOL houses,
especially those in country districts.
The credit of the organization OF
arbor day is due to Gov. Morton, OF
Nebra ka, Cleveland's secretary OF aS-
ricrlture, who contIived it as a means OF
raising up barrier of trees against the
fierce blizzards of the west and the
searching blasts of the south. States
where trees were so abundant as to be
considered by the agriculturist as wor-
thy only to be cut down and burned
that being the quickest method OF
getting rid of them-are now welcoming
arbor day as 4 promise that they ma!
he restored to that condition which they
lost by the destruction OF their fof-
csts.
The notable and important develop
ment of arbor day is it's connection WIN
the hubble schools. This may be sald
to date from the memorable tree plant
inc by the pupils of the public schools
of Cincinnati, on the occasion OF th''
meeting of the American forestry con
rress in that city in the spring OF lS>z'
Then, on Il lovely May day, more 'h'n
twenty thousand school chlldreh' maj
shalrd by their teachers. formed Il pai
Of the procession, which, with the &c
commitment of military battallonS ana
bands of music, while flags ana banners
futtcrcd from the housetops and VIII
4I,n CT
Eden park and there planted trees IL
memory of the most eminent authors
and statesman of our own ana othel
lands. The example was speedily lo'-
lowed elsewhere. IN Nebraska BOO
100000 shade, forest and fruit trees
have been planted since the day was
originated.
Before 1889 many voluntary move
ments resembling arbor day OBJ e vances
had been started in differ ent parts OF
Wisconsin but it was in that year that
arbor day first received legislative sane
ton in this state. Little was done IL
that wear or in the next to secure lis
obs2ryanSce. In 1891 Governor Iech
and others offered 81 900 as i fund To-
giving Il prize to the school III cacl
county which should observe arbol
day and, during the spring and summer
make the most comparative improve
ment in its premises. The department
of public instruction sent a circular
of information and encouragement
to each school and included
an excellent circular issued by
the officers Of the state horticulture
society, giving helpful advice abon
suitable trees and shrubs for planting
! The response to this work was promp
! and gratifying. Prizes were fairl,
won in fifty-six counties, in most o
them at the close of an active compe
| tition. The governors prize general.
! took the form of small district ibral
les, which were heartily welcomed ant
! appreciated.
In 1892 the department of public il
struction issued a larger arbor da.
circular and sent a copy to each school
| This circular was crowded with mater
ials for the use of teachers in stimu
lating a loving study of nature in tn
fields and forests. From song and Stor!
! from the choicest works of the ESSAYS
and SCIENTIST, were culled gems Q
! thought and of the imagination to ali
in making al DOR day interesting an
! instructive. To these We're added prlC
teal articles on selecting. planting an
caring for trees and on flower bed
and lawns for school grounds.
This circular outlined q somewha
broader work for arbor day than ha'
previously been attempted, and its pull
LEGATION was partly in the nature of II
experiment. 1t seemed. however, t
strike a popular chord and it was warm
ly commended and eagerly sought b.
| teachers of other states, including man.
from New England. The reports o
county superintendent show only
portion of the results secured. but thes
are noteworthy 2,4OS district school
observed the day and planted 1884
trees. Nearly all of the city and vi
lage schools had appropriate exercise
and most of them planted trees.
The State Horticultural society work
ed side by side with the department o
education and did much to instill int
the children of the state a new habi
of observing closely certain usefu
plants whose cultivation contribute
materially to the health, comfort an
pleasure of home life.
i The work of the past two years i
connection with arbor day in this stat
has aroused thousands of school OF
ficers. teachers and pupils to a livelie
interest in nature, to a keener sense O