Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-04-29
FRIDAY is ARBOR DAY.


than which no other day in the years
calendar tells more directly in the i'm
provements of roads and farm yards,
streets and lawns and public grounds.
In the long ago, before men builded
them cathedrals, the forests were their
temples. Among the trees they set up
rude affairs and there in sweet stiffness
broken only by the twitter of birds or
the swaying of branches they worship
ed the Unknown God. Ever since that
far-off time the tree has twined itself
round the life of man. 1t has served
his souls need and his body's wants.
1t has ministered to his spiritual side
in multitudinous impalpable ways, and
at the same time been potent factor
in his material progress. In winter it
has one thing, in summer another, but
always it has made it's appeal and per-
formed good service. By all means let
us plant trees.
In driving one day last summer we
CHANGED on country school by the
roadside. 1t was plain wooden
building of no architectural preten-
sions whatever. Yet it was charming
ly attractive. By luck or good man
agement the site had been we'll chosen.
The school stood on slight elevation
which sloped to little stream fringed
by willows. Looking around, we de-
cided that while it might have been
luck which decided the location of the
school it was more likely to have been
good judgment, for good management
had certainly played it's part later on.
At one side was group Of thrifty
young trees. The zig-zag path from
the road to the school was bordered
with hollyhocks and other hardy an
nuals, with here and there rose bush
or other shrub. Over the door a porch
had been erected This porch was
evidently the work of amateurs and it
had cost mere trifle, but the climb
ing vines which covered it-they also
festooned the west windows made it
thing of beauty.
It is not enough that parents pro-
vide pleasant home surroundings for
their children. They must also look
after the well-being Of children whose
natural guardians are ignorant or
careless or both. The only beauty
which many poor little child gets a
taste of is that which he finds at
school God pity him-or through
school life. In this fact lies the
strength of the strongest plea for
school libraries, school room decora-
ton and beautiful school grounds.
Another point to be borne in mind
is chat the public schools are commun-
ity property. Their care should be a
matter of common interest, their
beauty a matter of neighborhood con-
Germ.
Arbor Day is an invitation to school
patrons to confer with the school
teacher and the school children with a
view to tree planting and other i'm
provement work in the school grounds
1t does not matter in the least who
takes the initiative, patrons, teacher
or pupils. The great thing is that the
day is observed, that cooperation be
secured, that something definite be
accomplished.
There is no good reason why so many
country school houses should stand
bare and shadeless. Trees may be had
for the digging and boys delight in
just such work as tree planting While
the boys are busy with the trees the
girls should be putting in vines and
fastening strings for their support. Ii
wild cucumber, grape or Virginia
Creeper can be secured so much the
better; if not morning glory seed is
cheap and easy to obtain.
In planning for the identifying of
school grounds it is we'll to consider
the holiday season, when it comes, and
how long it lasts. Trees are for any
and all seasons; shrubs bloom some at
/ OA0 UlulC dLu OOL1O dU dlIOUAOl, lIOWOlO
likewise have their blooming seasons.
AS rule it is mistake to spend time
on flowers which come into bloom
while school is closed. On the other
hand it is wise to arrange, as far as
possible, for session of bloom during
the school sessions. Consultation with
the children will usually result in a
fair list and goodly supply of offer
ings. These may be supplemented by
the proceeds of an Arbor Day enter
tainment or public donation party.
1t is earnestly hoped that every per-
son reading this call to Arbor Day OBJ
servance will straightway resolve to
edo something" A friendly note ask
ing the teacher what plans are in view
for ArbOr DaV is one Wav of going to