The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-17
MAKEl IT 4 COOP ARnoR DAY.

Tomorrow will be Arbor day in Mon
tana. How shall it be remembered and
what will be tho results thereof are
inquiries of much Importance, if the OBJ
jects are worth considering. Gov.
Richards, in his proclamation, refers to
these as follows: ''For the adornment of
our homes and highways, for the beau
tlfying OF our cemeteries and the en-
bellishment Of our public PARKS" that
teachers in our public schools may
train the thoughts of youth toward the
utility and the beauty OF tree planting
| by the practical observance Of the day."
and finally, because ait offers rewards to
taxpayers in wholesome exemptions and
substantial encouragements.
Section 6 of the act concerning tree
| planting and arborculture says: '"That
I when any resident of the territory ~(state)
has or hereafter may plant and cultivate
for two years, n line of forest trees and
fruit trees. not less than sixteen feet apart
and not more thar eight feet from any
water ditches within his land. said land
shall be exempt from taxation to the
amount OF one dollar annually thereafter
on tho assessed valuation of such land for
each growing tee thereon for q period Of
Eve years.
The honor of starting this custom Of
tree planting belongs to Nebraska.
Twenty-one years ago the plains Of that
great state were treeless. Since then,
millions of trees have been planted and
the observance of the festival has spread
into thirty-seven states of the union.
Ten thousand schools in New York
state celebrated the day last year by the
planting Of trees, vines and shrubs, and
in this work employing exercises beft-
ting the occasion. Arbor day has be-
come a national institution and should
be a time given to practical worth as
we'll as pleasant recreation.
Montanians ought to be interested in
the observance. The old settled regions
of the east are gardens of noble trees,
hedges and flowers. New England fore
fathers, remembering the green mead
ows and leafy woods Of merry England,
made parks or commons, and long rows
Of elms or naples as characteristic of
their villages as the town hall or church.
They thus carried out a duty decreed by
the examples of the ancients and at the
same time added that which is a "beauty
and a JOY forever"
In the hurry burly, or that which is
called the ''rustle" of western life, We
have neglected the duty of tree plant
ing. We delight to call Helena a fine
city, and yet we have 10 public parks,
no rows OF grateful shade from towering
trees, nothing to show the beautiful
handiwork of nature except the rugged
mountains surrounding us. This work,
however, can be done. 1t needs little
effort to start it and careful watching
will do the rest. Nor is it necessary to
do this on Arbor day, for it is a work
that should continue at all times. Arbor
day, however, is a good time for every
property owner to do something and
thus make it a festival OF true meaning.
In this young, and in many respects
rough looking city, we are struggling
for the things to bring newcomers. We
think we have the resources, the right
spirit and rich promises for the future.
Perhaps we forget at times that there
are other attractions to be considered
besides the signs OF returning wealth.
To touch the eastern mans vision we
must employ all things to make Helena
attractive. We should make him feel at
homo by the sight Of the green trees of
his native region. There are too many
fine II lined with handsome resi-
dences but without a tree in sight. The
| parks will be arranged in time, but be-
fore that time, which we hope is near,
let our citizens got down to work on
these lines. Let Arbor day be made g
day not for school festivals alone, but
for our citizens and property as
we'll. Attend the school exercises ant
watch the spirit which guides the
Youngsters in their pleasant work, ant
then do something in the same direc
ton for your homo and your city. 1
you cannot plant a tree, plant a shrul
or vine or rose bush and watch III
growth. Do something of the sort ant
do IL tomorrow