The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-30

for those coming aELer Us AnG l1faksitS
they viii be wanting In the appreciation
OF ths fitness OF thingz7 Let US ac-
kno~lsage the neglect while We have a.
lowed ether matters 70 claim our atsen-
ton. and start cut with the idea that
the planning OF q tree IL an event OF
more moment than we may be apt 20 con-
ss5er; a valuable dover 20 our descend
ants The veneration inspired by an
cient trees In old countries IL ts1t the out
come OF the recognition OF their need
and beauty: the fatss vino took part az
their planting. fairy godmothers OF the
buried acorn and tiny seed, have watched
over them, blessing their heritage until
they have become a power in the land.
relgning undlssurbed and supreme This
same vsnerssion. or az least appreciation,
has moved westward with the years. and
we find Il extending Itself to older parts
OF our country. and one OF our great men
saying. ''Of all mans works Of art, a
cathedral is greatest. A vast and ma
jestic tree Is greater than that" This
interest In the value OF tree culture must,
however. soon rfpen into action. IL we
would make our city ha5ltabie and at
trac;lve, and break the effect OF glare
and gloom. In so doing let Us bear In
mind tina, tuiscious planting must be the
outcome OF our study; for instance the
Lombardy poplar but emphasizes the
stratghtness OF our streets. while at the
same time IN shade IL is decidedly de-
ncient. A graceful clustering and fall
ing OF ieafy branches of many an old
favorite like the elm. the silver-leaved
poplar. the maple. the locust, and the
horse-chestnut. break this monotonous
stretch OF lines, affording ample shade
while gratifying our love OF beauty.
In the country the need is fully as
great. What a desola1e place is tree
less pasture: with what a keen sense of
comfort do we watch cows or sheep en-
joying the blessing of some grateful
shade, How many of our pastures.
robbed Of their prdmeval forests. are still
destitute OF even the promise OF such
luxury! How many of our fields are bar
rem. when man with little might do SO
much, This realization of our deficiency
may and should lead UP 20 our duty In
this matter. for as Holmes says: when
we plant a tree We are doing what We
can to make our planet a more wholesome
and happier dwelling place for those who
come after us. If not for ourselves
The growth of tree is at best slow
process, so the earlier we begin to plant
the better. as Arbor day. that happiest
and most novel of our institutions. teach
80 us Unfortunately we are not like
Amphion in our power OF song:
"'Tis said he had a tuneful tongue,
Such happy information,
Whenever he sat down and sung
He left a small plantation
But there Is much that is wholesome In
our authorizations when we watch the
growth OF a thing of use and beauty;
the very realization of its change and
constant progress strikes an answering
note In our aspirations. and We feel a
strong kinship with It's strivings for ad-
vancement It's apparent death Is
watched with interest, because we know
1t is only on the surface OF things. and
one OF the eertainties OF nature Is the
timely stirring Of the green I'm its resur-
rection OF life. The forest is the noblest
heritage OF land, the gift of nature; Il
comes within the power OF man to bestow
IL as a dover upon his descendants. The
seed he buries springs into existence, and
striving towards heaven becomes the
shelter OF countless ferns. and innumer-
able flowers. a refuge OF solemn lowell
ness for all who hold nature dear.
stronghold against the elements. and In
many ways of a financial value TO the
country.
The trees bring life with them; without
them we dwell in voiceless land. devoid
of the melody OF bird music. and the
whisper OF soft breezes in their lofty
branches. for the rejoicing leaves tell Us
many tale when stirred by passing
zephyrs. We need not want for other
companionship when we SIT and listen
beneath a great tree on summer day:
We ind Il, 'garrulously given. a babhler
IN the land" And It speaks or things
satisfying and heaithtul 20 the mind. as
are all OF natures secrets.
may the interest IN AIboE uass anu tue
firm faith In tree culture. increase. and
We doubt not II viii prove a blessing 10
our country beyond all our expectations.
not alone tn the elevating effect which II
works upon the mind OF young and old.
but endowinE the land with treasures OF
value and loveliness. FOR the present and
for days TO come. II will teach us 90
realize more deeply the beauty that ex-
lists In all tres life. from the delicate
shrub OF the lawn. 20 some mighty giant
81 the woodland. whose head. like that Of
Ia Fontsine's oak. Is neishboring 20 the
heavens and whose fee, touch the empire
of death