New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03
ARBOR DAY CEREMONIES.
TREES PLANTED BY SCHOOL CHILDREN
AND NAMED FOR GREAT MEN.

AND NAMED FOR GREAT MEN.
Observance OF the ceremonies OF Arbor Day was
general yesterday among the schools of the city
The children were seldom so fortunate as TO witness
the planting of a real tree. which is supposed to
be the form the celebration takes. but the cases
were few. indeed, in which something green was
not in evidence.
In some places a narrow strip of earth Sc
cured at the edge of the schooyard. in which 10
plant q vine to Chamber up the brick walls In
other cases even that seemed inaccessible de-
gree OF wealth and a geranium in a grocery box
represented the utmost attainable.
AT the Normal College an evergreen tree was
planted in honor of Ralph Waldo Emerson and will
be known the Emerson tree. A brief address
made by Randolph Guggenheimer, former
School Commissioner, who said, in part:
II would require the genius and inspired imagina-
ton OF Ralph Waldo Emerson TO interpret in living
words the sentiment half sad, half joyous. that
underlies this ceremony The members OF this
years graduating class have assembled TO plant
an evergreen the memory of great American,
merely but upon the truth and nobility Of his life
and characIer The tree which you have just
memorial Of the training which have received
in this institution of the enduring friendships you
have formed and Of the golden ideals OF youth as II
stands eXpectantly upon the threshold of the un-
dedicated 10 the memory OF Emerson. has neither
regrets for the past nor dread of the future 1t IS
q child Of earth and has destiny to fulfil. Though
so n is propbetic not of darkness ana disaster
but of bright days and summers.
That was the message delivered by Emerson 10
analysis Of that strong but passionless sentiment
which is life,s browning glory. He interpreted
forest better than the town. he listened all the
Angio-saxon speech. As long this tree lives, and
you remember the sentiments that reign Ign, IN your
you to work in the sunlight; and: IN the darkness
10 follow the clear white light Of truth.
An aborate programme was given at Mulberry
Bend Park 10 the great delight of some thousands
of+ he of that picturesque quar-
ter. The scholars that figured in the ceremonies
were those Of the grammar department Of Public
School No o. at Mulberry and Bayard SITS Two
trees-a birch and a maple-were planted in the
park and there appropriate exercises both In
the school and the grounds Of the park.
When the nine hundred pupils had assembled in
the school the exercises began with the introduc-
ton 10 the scholars and visitors OF Mrs. Herman
Bote the wife OF Judge Bote. and chairman Of
one Of the local school boards who presided After
she had made short address Principal Joseph h.
Wade. Of the school, and others spoke among them
being ]. \. Francolini school commissioner for
the district in the school is situated; Daniel
c Oliver Superintent J. H. Haaren and Baron
La bert Won Westenholz of Hamburg. Germany.
An impressive feature Of the ceremonies was the
administration of the Arbor Day promise to the
pupils by Principal Wade. He said few words
at a time, and the entire school, while standing.
repeated them. The promise was:
I promise to DO all In my power to protect the
trees and shrubbery and grass and flowers or Null
In his address Mr.. Wade said he had been told
by q park enploye hat the boys of the school had
done 10 protect the park than policemen.
An address also made by Leonard Baron.
editor Of agricultural paper. after which the
pupils formed in line in the school yards and
marched to the park, headed by Principal Wade
and the visitors
The trees had been presented 10 the school-one.
maple. BY DR.. John Biggio. and the other birch.
by the Department Of Parks When the time
for he nj of park and ad-
joining street a struggling mob OF people.
and the entire force Of reserves from the Eliza
beth-st. station had their hands full to prevent
the school children from being overrun. After
singing arbor and patriotic songs the trees were
placed IN position by park laborers and the MEM
bers OF a committee of Seven Glass stepped for
ward, one by one, and threw shovelfuls Of earth
The idea Of Arbor Day was then explained In in
&.S-iSii ia a 7 Sa1t -, a. y! 49, - ~
%nlcD an ADDRESS IN llahaIL was mace by } II.
Francolini. But for this address in Italian many
all the celebration was about. More songs were
sung and the pupils then marched BACK 10 school
ment, in Vest Fftieth-st comprised songs, recIta-
tons and a flower drill. A nature study cabinet
was presented TO the school by the teachers, in
memory Of Miss Mary A. Root, the former prfn-
Trees were planted with J, appropriate ceremonies creme
all in the East Side neighborhood, where trees
few. and their advent hailed with JOY.
variety was given 10 the celebrauon at school
No. la, East broadway and scammel-st-, by
dramatic performance, the girl pupils acting IN a
little play called Choosing a Queen written by
OF their teachers
For the FIRST time Arbor Day was observed by
the classes Of the Educational Alliance at East
Broadway and Jefferson-st. Small boxes Of earth
were brought by several hundred children, to have
seeds planted by the teachers. These were taken
home by the boys and girls, who mostly Rus
sian Jews and Bulgarians.
AT Mckinley Park, One-hundred- and -siXty-ninth-
81. and Boston-ave,. the pupils of Schools Nos. 60
and 81 took part in the naming Of three newly
planted trees, which were christened respectively
Mckinley. Lincoln and Garfield.
In some schools the celebration limited 10
snare In christening the lately planted by the
tenement District Shade Tree Committee of the
Tree Planting Association. These trees were named
LOT prominent men, that in front OF the Jacob A.
Ills seLLenenr being named Theodnre Roosevelt.