Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-04-29
Arbor Day.

State OF South Dakota, Executive
Chamber, April 18th, 1897.
In compliance with prevailing Gus
tom, which has endeared itself to the
people from sentiment and utility, I
hereby appoint Monday, the Bird day OF
May, A. D. 1897, as Arbor day.
The faithful observance OF this day
should become fixed habit among the
people; not a mere custom to be follow
ed in a half-hearted way or forgotten
entirely.
No western state has greater need OF
cultivating forestry than South Da-
kota, and while nature seems to have
been unRenerous to her with trees and
shrubs, she has given us q soil most
fertile and a climate most gracious
when seasons are normal, for the Gull
tivation of forest trees. During recent
years continued dry weather has killed
out most of the groves previously
planted in a large area in the state,
but this unfavorable condition seems to
have permanently retired. The ground
is now full of moisture. A change in
the season promising to be Of long and
blessed duration seems to have taken
place No season in years has there
fore been more prOpitious for tree
planting than the present spring. The
moisture of long continuous drouths
has, however, been q blessing in dis
guise, for it has served to teach OBJ
serving lovers Of forestry a most valu-
able lesson, determining for the future
the trees and plants most hardy and
best adapted to our climate and least
liable to the blighting influences Of
dry weather. Moreover the experience
of the past has shown that no sbiftless
tree planting and nothing subsequently
but continued, careful cultivation, will
avail the object sought In the observ.
ance Of the day.
We owe an obligation to every grow
ing thing of beauty or usefulness which
we plant. To plant shrub or tree and
then fail to cultivate and care Tor 1t
till it secures matured strength Is like
bringing children into the world and
then casting them adrift to evil In
fuences.
Nothing is more painful in nature
than frail tree strangled for want oil
proper nOurishment and care. Moth
ing is grander in nature than = stal-
wart tree which battles the elements,
standing las sentinel and affording
benehcent protection to mankind.
In America we have failed to place
the proper value upon our forests.
They have been regarded merely from a
monetary standpoint. They have been
ruthlessly slaughtered for gain and
wasted in the prodigality of our com.
mercial pursuits. But the forests have
q double commercial value, chief OF
which is to preserve, for the beauty.
comfort and protection which they a.
ford adds very greatly to the value OF
property upon which they are fortu.
nately found.
The time is coming when our national
forests must be preserved with the
same care which is shown in Europe.
where beautiful forests are protected
and cared for as conscientiOusly as the
American housewife watches over and
cares for her ported plants.
Concluding these reflections ex-
press the hope that Arbor Day may be
consecrated to the great and everlast-
ing good Of the state, and that 1t may
be religiously observed In its true
spirit.
set my hand and caused the Great Seal
of the state to be affixed this 18th day
of April. A. d. 1897.
[sEALl ANDREW E. LEE.
VIM II. RODDLE,
Secretary OF State.