Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-04-22
Trees, Birds And Flowers.

ommends to educational Institutions
and to citizens generally to make
special effort on that day to beautify
public grounds and to cultivate
higher interest in and regard for bird
life.
The state superintendent has is
sued to the teachers OF the state
manual of aids for the appropriate
observance of the day that will be
most helpful to them ana the child
rem in their charge The following
pertinent paragraphs are in a portion
of the superintendent address to
teachers:
students Of the question OF the
relation of trees to rainfall the pres
ervation of the soil, lessening the
severity of floods. and to the modifi-
cation of climate have demonstrated
clearly the money value of tree cul-
ture. If the most practical views of
economy alone are considered, arbor
day results have already justified the
hope of those who believed that the
schools might be made mighty factor
in the splendid work. In our own
state about $4,000 trees were planted
on school grounds alone, last year
Probably many times this number
were planted by the roadsides, in pub
lie parks, in private grounds and in
places that would otherwise be wholly
waste. Much of this enterprise may
be traced to the school for its origin
The spirit of the arbor day songs,
beautiful and appreciative sentiments
in prose, and poetic imagery learned
and recited by the children. the simple
yet picturesque ceremonies attendant
upon school tree-planting have all
aided in promoting public activity.
The records in this office show that
more than 4,o0O-aboat two-thirds Of
all iii the state-school districts in
Wisconsin celebrated arbor day. last
year. The fact that many Of the
schools were not in session on the APP
pointed day. emphasizes the proof of
the very general interest shown. In
some districts no trees were planted
because tie school grounds and ada
cent lands are well wooded. In such
districts exercises were nevertheless
held. for the presence Of trees alone is
not presumptive evidence that those
who live among them are equipped
with knowledge Of the sciences Of
forestry and tree culture. In fact,
where there is the largest supply and
variety of trees the conditions are the
most favorable for concrete illustra-
ton and direct study. That the first
function of arbor day is the stimula-
ton of tree-planting and tree study
should be constantly kept in mind,
but this will rot prevent the ercour-
agement Of other movements that fol-
low naturally in the train of arbor
day observances.
Within the last few weeks a warn
ing note was sent out from our great
national museum at Washington. the
Smithsonian Institution, that there is
great danger that many species of
our song birds will soon become ex-
tinct. What an indication against
the cruelty, the improvidence and
shortsightedness OF our people to
whom the birds have been constant
benefactors Bird nests are indis-
criminately robbed Of eggs, many
boys frequently kill, simply for the
sake Of killing, any bird that may
come within reach Of their murderous
weapons The gentlest, the tamest,
the most trustful little songster is the
most likely to suffer death, because
it cannot estimate that human beings
are more savage than cats and tigers
These animals kill for a living and in
response to inherent blind instinct
but the human animals Kill "iust FOR
fun
But, saddest 81 all. it seem that
BOYS and perhaps men are not the
most destructive enemies of the birds
Literally millions Of the loyliest Of
our little feathered friends are annu-
sacrificed p the dictates of .en-eles~
fashion whose tyranny IS strong
enough to subvert womans natural
and usual feelings # tenderne- gene
tleness and mercy The dead bodies
Of birds on bonnets can BE offensive
and repulsige to persons Of refined in