Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-04
STATE HOUSE.
Brief History Of the Aims and
Observance of Arbor Day.
Secretary Morton Sends School De.
partment Books On the Subject.
Other News from the Capitol-Several New
Corporations Filled Papers.

CANNED by Governor Ii. Is. CleaNeS. al
Arbor day, in this State.
A very instructive and interesting
history has been distributed this
spring, by the State superintendent OF
schools. regarding the day. it's histor,
and observance.
This is the first year that these book.
have been supplied by the national de-
partment, and, it will undoubtedly dt
much toward arousing a more lively
interest than usual in this State.
OF these books there was, however, a
limited supply sent by Secretary Nor
ton of the Department of Agriculture
at Washington: but those that have
been sent have. by careful distribution
gone a great way.
Its aim is to give an authentic
account of the origin. history, and uses
of the day-now observed throughout
our country and also in other lands
which has been regarded with interest
by the department ever since its OBJ
|servance began. and to offer such sug-
Gestions and helps as may serve to in
crease its usefulness.
1t is impossible to sketch the history
Of Arbor day in even the briefest man
ner without frequent reference to the
present secretary of the department
with whom the day is so intimately
connected. who in fact, was responsible
for its creation.
Arbor day, from being only humble
|expedient of one of our Western states
a few years ago. has become a national
holiday and one of our important in
|stitutions. Its original design has beer
modified since it's observance has be-
come associated with our schools. 1t Is
now not only a day for tree planting,
for economic and aesthetic purposes
but it's observance has been made the
means for securing much valuable
knowledge in regard to plant and tree
life, of cultivating in the young the
powers of observance, and kindlng in
their minds an interest in natural OBJ
jects which will be lifelong source OF
benefit and pleasure.
1t is not too much to hope, also. that
this Arbor day festival, engaging our
children in its observance so generally
and so pleasantly with songs. recita-
lions, and the planting of trees and
shrubs around the school houses and
along the streets or in public parks and
lgther places, may have the effect OF
8Ryeloping in coming generations a
Ef1er appreciation of the value and
{ beauty Of trees than has hitherto
IN felt IN our country, and that thus
9he recSisss destruction of our forests
nfessy gQ3hg on with such threatening
fonseqdsnces, may be arrested before
he cafasaities are upon us which have
6Afa3Ien other countries through the
III cnheir trees.
Es as book is a very valuable one. 1;
81 tins able articles on the various
|TerfYnent subjects, the value of the
different kinds of trees; how the day
lis observed in the schools. and sugges-
lions as to the best methods of beauti-
flying and improving the school yards
with cuts showing places where it has
been done.
Of the day, the book says: "Arbor
day is educational in the best and larS-
est sense. By engaging the pupils of
the schools in the study of trees. not
merely from books but by actual OBJ
servation and handling of them in
their living state, the observing facul-
ties of the pupils are appealed to and
cultivated and their minds are easily
led on from the study of trees to that
of shrubs and Towering plants and all
natural objects. 1t is ever reaching
out for new acquisitions of knowledge.
and seeking to impart new and more
widespread benefits.
IL IL mol d. IIldtlcI lOI WOIiucI, lucIc-
fore, that an institution with. such a
spirit and such possibilities, with so
much to commend it to thefattention
of persons OF intelligence and generous
feeling. and especially to the ardent
naturs of the young. should have a
speedy and wide acceptance.
And so, by its own manifest merit
and without any propagandism on its
behalf, it has been adopted by nearly
every state and territory of the union;
and limited by no national boundaries,
it has even crossed the Atlantic on the
one hand, and become established in
Great Britain, France, and northern
and southern Africa, and on the other,
within the present year, has crossed
the Pacific and been welcomed in the
Hawaiian Islands and in Japan.
F. S. Fogler, clerk in the office of the
State treasury. is at home in South
Hope, for a vacation.
The following new corporations filed
their papers at the secretary of States