Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1897-04-08
! Arlb:or Day
INTRODUCTORY.

| Minnesota Tor the observance of Ar
Dor day.
Arbor Day has become national
holiday, and one Of our important in
stitutions. It is now not only day
for tree planting, for economic and
aesthetic purposes, but one for secur-
ing much valuable knowledge in re-
gard to plant and tree life, and for
kindling in the minds of the young
an interest in natural objects which
will be a lifelong source Of benefit
and pleasure. ~ =. -! =
UTILITY OF TREE PLANTING. H.
Nothing contributes so much as
trees to make this world pleasant
place of abode for man. He must
have trees around his dwelling place
for their shelter and. their shade; but
estimated by their money value alone,
the products Of the forest exceed those
from almost any other source. In the
year 1894, the gold and silver pro-
duced in the United States was val
ued at about S71,0o0,000. In the
same year the products Of our forests
were valued at over 81 ,000, 100000. I
EDUCATIONAL VALUE. Hs':z y .z.5
Arbor Day is: educational in the
best and largest sense. By engaging
pupils in the study Of trees by actual
observation and handling them, their
observing faculties are cultivated, and
their minds are easily led on from the
study of trees, to that of towering
plants, shrubs, and all natural OBJ
jects. Such training forms one Of the
best equipments for success in life
in whatever employment one may he
engaged, and is never-failing source
Of enjoyment. Arlpr Day promises
ltosdo more, |! q toeon.
vert us from a nation Of wanton de-
stroyers of trees, toone of tree plan
ters and protectors.
METHODS OF OBSERVING THE DAY.
These may be as various as the
tastes and inclinations of those en-
gagged in them. Much will depend
upon the teacher: If the teacher has
a moderate share of inyentiveness,
! there will be little difficulty. The
chief thing is to have the pupils in
terested in what they do; and if they
are invited to offer suggestions, they
will often make plan SO sensible and
satisfactory as almost to relieve the
teacher from any burden. It. may be
desirable to have committee of the
older pupils to see that the trees des-
ignated are procured beforehand, and
that holes are properly prepared for
their reception. It should be remem-
bered that this is ,enlinently Chill
DREN's day and that, as the drum and
fife, plumes and banners are needed
by grown-up people to make some
celebrations satisfactory, children like
ceremonies, especially on such special
occasions as this. Banners, scarfs,
badges, music-if it can be procured
will all help to arouse the interest
of the pupils. The early part of the
program might consist of addresses,
essays by the older pupils, etc. It
must be borne in mind that Arbor
Day is not legal holiday, but simply
a particular day set apart for the
planting Of trees, and for special in
struction in all that pertains to them.
Individuals, pupils or classes may
plant trees or groups of trees, which
shall be regarded as peculiarly their
own and, in the preservation Of which,
from year to year they will feel an in
terest and responsibility. It would
be we'll for the teacher not accustomed
to tree planting to consult someone
who is. The mere planting will be
useless, if done in suchsa waysthat the
trees will not live more than one OF
two seasons: Much depends upon
the manner Of taking the young trees
from their native horne, and also upon
the manner Of arraneg eg;ing the roots and
packing the earth around them. Ap-
propriate selections for defamation
or reading may besfound iii the libra.