Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-04-30
An Arb0r day Study.

Arbor-day is pleasant feature
of the season. At one time in the
year at least, the school children
are permitted to study the beauties
of nature. The youthful mind
wearies over abstract problems
while thirst for knowledge OF
nature prevails in every individual.
Improved methods Of teaching are
fully comprehended by the adj
vanced teachers of the age, but the
methods are theories not yet dem
onstrated by practice. Impractical
laws and the prejudice of people
who are not progressive retards
improve ment in in school govern
ment.
There should be more attention
given to the study of nature. The
sentiment that surrounds arbor day
ceremonies should have beneficial
effect upon the schools of the
country if not upon the people
generally. There is great def
cheney in knowledge of natural OBJ
jects. Our civilization has resulted
In a direct loss of knowledge oil the
simple things which surround us
in our every day duties. The ed
ucated boy of hundred years ago
knew perhaps less of history, art
and literature than the school boy
of today but he knew more OF the
flowers, trees and animals than
the boy Of today. This loss is tar
reaching in its effects. The per-
sistent driving OF the child to The
task Of mastering abstrac. subjects
does not promote industry. The
encouragement of the pursuit OF
subjects that are congenial would
arouse latent energies while en-
forced application to the study of
abstract subjects enfeebles the per-
ceptive powers and destroys EN-
thusiasm.
There are few people young or old
who would not enter into the study
Of plant life in the spring time
with commendable application.
Tree life is useful as we'll as AN
interesting study. The school boy
of fifty years ago knew every plant
Of wood, field and meadow; its
name; its seasons and its uses.
The school boy of today does no,
know one out Of hundred trees
and plants that he encounters in a
walk.
The tree life ofthis valley should
be made an impressive object lesson
during arbor-day season. The
fruit. ornamental and shade trees
/ have a special interest here. The
arboresl beauty and benefits Of the
Lewiston valley are of an artificial
nature. The study of trees and
their needs and conditions possesses
an increased interest to he stu
dents Of our schools because we SET
around US only cultivated trees
Each Of these i, an interesting
botanical object lesson. There i.
practically no limit to the scope o.
this study for the students Of the
Lewiston school. Every specimar
possesses especial characteristics
The fact that our trees are exotic
makes them interesting. Ths
climatic and soil conditions may
be the subject Of research and the
natural insect pests have prob
lematic effect In the case of in
digenous growths the agencies
which are destructive to tree
growth are balanced by parasites
This may not be the case with
exotic plants. These are depend
ent upon the care of man and
their protection demands technica
end practical knowledge of plant
life In this valley naturally
barren of trees there is a Lowell,
artificial growth. We have here
an occasion not only for on arbor
day study; but for full couse il
botany.