The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-24
ARBoR DAY.

ARBOR DAY.
Arbor day VAL be more generally OBJ
served today apparently than for . long
time. Although not . statutory holiday.
st Is becoming the custom TO observe Il
here. ~ IN many other states. where. ~
with THANKSGIVING day. custom has en-
dowed 1t with special honor. The time
varies from January away down In Flor
ida, until toward the close of April In the
extreme Northeastern and Northwestern
states. although North Dakota. which
was ono Of the first states to observe the
occasion. prefers to wait until the eth OF
May. Tennessee waits until November.
and Georgia follows In December, thus
bringing the arboreai curriculum around
20 sunny Florida. The custom of tree
planting Is very old. but 1t is only within
the last twenty years that any public
movement has taken place. 1t began hap
piiy enough, on the treeless plains Of Ne
braska. inaugurated by pioneers from
Eastern states. who missed the trees OF
homo and began TO realize not only their
beauty but their importance. The state
has by legislative resolution adopted for
Mself the name Of the Tree Piantsrs
State" and the annual observance Of the
custom Of planting trees has thr1ven most
prosperously and It il said that the num-
Der Of trees planted runs into billions.
Texas. another treeless state combines
Arbor day with washington's birthday.
and the patriotic exercises are said to
blend beautifully. ~ they might well do.
With the planting Of trees. shrubs and
flowers.
Arbor day u a legal holiday in Colo
RADIO. Kansas. Minnesota. North Dakota.
wisconsin and Wyoming. the day being
Get by the governor. In Texas, February
q: In Nebraska. April =: Montana. third
Tuesday in April: Utah. first Saturday In
April, Rhode Island. frst Friday In May.
and Idaho, FIRST Friday after May 1. but
every state and territory has incorporated
the day among it, annual occasions Of
purposefui leisure except Delaware. and
even there It b observed in some locali-
ties.
A. Thanksgiving day serves to direct the
mind TO the past. Arbor day suggests pre-
paration for and provision for the future.
There il a beautiful sentiment IN the OBJ
servancs and particularly for children.
but the occasion itself II fun q susges-
lions Of practical character. 1t teaches
ne universal Law that he who reaps must
SOW: that great results may follow from
very tiny beginnings; that he who labors
In his youth shall enjoy the shelter and
fruits In his old age: It teaches lessons
both Of prudence and frugsiity.
There has been . tendency In many
places to make the tree planting n public
function and TO plant the trees In parks
and other open spaces. This has Its advant-
ages. but We think the best results will
follow. should the surroundings permit Of
It. n school children planted trees. or at
least one tree each year. around the cam
pas. % that they might watch their growth
and take = pride in the years work. at
the same time learning TO watch the differ
ent phenomena Of Leaf and stem. Parents
should take sufficient interest to eacour-
age their children TO plant shade trees or
fruk trees. . shrub. or even q few flower
seed In the home garden. The pride OF ex-
elusive ownership and the responsibility
OF their care would make . silent but
very efYicacious impression on their minds.
The observance Of Arbor day will do
much to bring about greater interest in
legislation Cor the protection from unneo-
essary destruction Of forest trees and
their replacement By a new generation
for those which have TO be sacrificed to
the needs OF man. In this state 1t seems
entirely unnecessary to provide for the
growth of forests. but they are never the
less being deauded a, an alarming rate:
and the period OF destruction muxt be fol-
lowed by restoration or our once vast re-
sources Will ee marked only by the shah
by remains left In q few eeukey pines.
Whatever the programme Of the day. 1t
SHOULD be carried cut in good. whole
hearted earnestness. and every effort
made by thu directing powers 20 derive
from Il tts fsn value. We cannot hope in
TO have woods Of oak or the shady lane.
Of New England. but We can have memo
siais OF the days ana the scenes watch we
or one generation before us enjoyed In our
youth. ana II shall warm No cid memo
ries and suggest pleasant cid legends and
associations. as the sea shell far from rs
ocean bed retains some eatnt whisper o.
It's early dwelling place"