The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-23
Instructions for the Days Exer-
cises Sent to School Districts.
SUPT. CARLETON'S LETTER
The Value of Trees - They Greatly Con-
tribute to the Health and Happi-
ness of the People-Mon-
tana Great State


ty copy of the Arbor Day Manual, which
is issued by the department of public in
struction. The manual contains the proc
lamaton of Governor Smith, which was
published a few days ago in the Standard,
the sections of the political code contain
ing the law relating to Arbor day, a spec-
men programme of the exercises and also
Superintendent E. A. Cartoons letter in
regard to Arbor day The letter reads as
follows
ITO School Officers, Teachers, Pupils and
Friends of Education:
| In these days of wholesale destruction
of our forests, and when little or no effort
seems to be made to check it, it is with
feelings of joy that hail the anniver-
sary of Arbor day, believing that its prop
er celebration tends to cultivate senti-
| ment opposed to this ruthless destruction
The value of trees of the forest can
not be overestimated. The forest product
exceeds in value that from almost any
other source. 1t is many times greater
than that from our gold and silver mines.
In 1894 it was 10 times greater than the
the total grain crop of this country was
GOO less than the forest crop.
But trees have other uses and are val
! liable for other reasons. They contribute
| more to the health and happiness of man
| than almost anything else. They should
| therefore, be cultivated and preserved to
| an extent somewhat commensurate with
| their surprising value. The forest is our
| best friend and should be jealously pro-
| tected.
| Montana enacted an Arbor day law in
| 1887 since which time interest in the day
| has steadily increased, although it cannot
| be said that it is generally observed
| that its Importance is fully appreciated.
| That we may not be able to grow trees in
| all parts of the state is no excuse for
| neglecting to observe the day. There are
| other great and important lessons that it
| teaches and that it is fitting should be
| taught on this occasion.
| 1.-THE planting of trees wherever it is
| possible to make them grow, even by as
| siduous care, is an important duty that
| we owe to ourselves and to our posterity
| But our duty does not end with the plant
| ing of the trees, as we seemed to have
| thought heretofore. with the consequence
| that most of the trees planted on this
| day have been allowed to die through
shameful neglect. 1t is quite as import
ant and quite as necessary that you see
|
| after planting as it is to plant them.
Il have in mind a certain school district
| upon whose beautiful school grounds the
| children and the trustees had set out
| hundreds of trees, the greater number
| being planted at the expense of hundreds
| Of dollars by the district. The trees grew
nicely and what had been a barren
| waste was converted into lovely forest.
as beautiful place and cheering
any to be found. These trees were teach
ers in the truest and best sense. They
| were daily teaching the hundreds Of chill
| dren who Toasted upon their beautiful
foliage and enjoyed their kindly shade
| the lessons of patience, growth. develop
ment, usefulness and of the higher life.
| To-day where once was this oasis in the
almost treeless district there is only the
barren waste holes, ash heaps, etc, due
| to the most shameful and inexplicable
neglect on the part of the trustees.
plant trees and protect them after
| planting. If they are to be left to wither
and die it is best not to plant them at
! all.
"I suggest that committee of citizens
| and pupils be chosen. annually. by those
| in attendance at the exercises. to see that
the trees are properly cared for. This
committee should report next Arbor
| day.
1.-The year 1899 is a memorable one and
we should not fail to impress upon the
| minds of the children due significance of
the great events which are occurring in
| our history. The lessons of patriotism. of
| rega I'd for law and order, of obedience to
| the legally constituted authorities, are to
| be taught on such an occasion. The splen-
| did conduct of our brave boys at the front
may well receive merited recognition on
| a day like this. Thus some OF the great
lessons of duty and of patriotism may be
| taught, even though upon the school
grounds it is quite impossible to grow
| trees.
montana has a state flower. the bitter
| root, chosen by the legislature of the
| state, but we have no state tree. 1t is
proposed to select one next Arbor day. To
this end / request that all the pupils vote
| for a state tree. The vote will be can
vassed by the teachers and the result
| certified to the county superintendent.
| who will certify the result of the vote in
her county to this office. Upon receipt of
| the vote of all the counties of the state
the state superin tendent will announce the
tree selected and it will be henceforth
| known as the state tree.
1.-The pupils should be fully instructed
| concerning the trees common to the state.
| and an essay. having in view the selection
| OF a state tree. should be carefully pre-
| pared and read by of the older pupils
| No tree not common to the state and of
| eligible.
when we look about us and see what
| Arbor day has done in a number of the
| more than 40 states that observe it, we are
compelled to admit that no holiday of the
whole year has been productive of so
| much material benefit as this.
| when it was first observed in 1872 by
| the state of Nebraska her pupils planted
| several millions Of trees on that day, and
| it has been regularly observed ever since
| until to-day there are more than 500 000, 900
| thrifty Arbor day trees in that state
| Minnesota first observed the day during
| the centennial year and her pupils plant
ed a million and half of trees on the
| first observance Of the day. Many other
| states might be mentioned with similar
| records
| 1.-THE benefits derivable from these many
millions of Arbor day trees are beyond
| all estimate.
Let us in Montana, while we may not
! HI, tar +t,a