The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-23
MORE TREES AND GRASS.
State Superintendent Urges General
Observance of Arbor Day.

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The schols of Yellowstone county
are being provided with a circular let
ter by State Superintendent of Public
Instruction w. w. WEIGH calling upon
them to observe Arbor Day, which &C.
ours on May IA.
The circular includes the letter Of
the superintendent OF public instruc.
ton, the governors proclamation, var
ious selections concerning trees and
flowers, quotations from Arbor day
addresses by prominent men, a list OF
books that may be consulted in pre-
pairing programmes for the day, and
other matter. In his letter, the state
superintendent says:
The annual observance of ArbOr day
in the public schools has become a
fixed custom. In many states, includ-
rirg Montana, it's Importance has re-
4 1Eed the attention of the legislatures
We end that a day has been set
n. .ANpon which all schools shall de.
uyvo1af Especial attention to the work OF
: adjoining and identifying school
grounds.
The statute of our state creates or
s. SCIS dpdIL LIN 0ICOAu L uOoNoS VI NAAJ
to be thus especially observed. The
governor has already issued his proc.
lamation that the 14th day Of May be
observed as Arbor day. 1t is to be
hoped that all will enter into the spirit
of the occasion and thus assist in the
grand work of rendering our state q
still more pleasant place in which to
live.
It is recognized by all thatthe schools
of the state should be especially in
terested in the due observance OF this
day. 1t is, therefore, hoped that each
county superintendent will labor to
bring the mater of ArboI day before
the teachers Of her county and that
every teacher will heartily cooperate
with the county superinteilte and
all school officers to the end that an
enthusiasm commensurate with the
Importance Of the occasion may he
aroused. We trust that all will strive
earnestly to observe this day in a
manner BETTING the objects sought
to be secured by the introduction and
perpetuation of Arbor daJ.
The day should be given to the
planting of trees, shrubs and plants,
and to appropriate %literar! exercises.
1t is not enough that a portion OF the
DAY SuOulu NC given W iIhAA1Il1hS, oAS
some practical lessons on proper care
IN. culture should be instilled. Al
Examination of some of the school
grounds which have received attention
on this day in past years shows that
the enthusiasm aroused has been al
lowed to subside too quickly. ! am
pleased, however, 10 note that this
is not universally true.
These facts suggest that strenuous
efforts should be made to Keep alive
the interest aroused on Arbor day. 1t
is also we'll to bear in mind that unless
a study is made of the varieties OF
trees and shrubs planted. a great por-
ton of the good work will be lost. BE
sure to select those trees and shrubs
which are Indigenous to the locality.
~ Begin your preparations Tor the en-
eccises of this day early and be sure
to invite the patrons to he present and
Na,ke part in the %exercisna.
tdAN trust that such interest will be
GAaken and maintained in Arbor day ex-
ercises throughout the state that all
school yards, especially, may have
something at the end of the year to
show for the labor performed, in the
way of more beautiful surroundings,
and what is more important still, in
the development of beauty in the lives
of your pupils and yourselves.
50 w. w WEIGH,
&C., W @ Sunerintendent,