New-York tribune., 1903-03-30
PREPARE FOR ARBoR DAY.
The Difference Tree Makes in a Tenement
Neighborhood.
CLARENCE D.

The tenement shade tree committee Of the Tree
Planting Association Of New-York City is already
making special efforts IN preparation for Arbor
Day throughout the public schools and settlements
OF the city. Heretofore the planting Of an actual
tree at this time has been rare occurrence.
Small brushes single plants in boxes and pots
have perforce been made the centre of the ceeDra-
ton exercises, because OF the expenditure real
tree" would entail. But the few that have been
planted In the more crowded parts Of the lower
city have met with such hearty, even aRectionate.
welcome. that the tenement shade tree committee
Is putting forth every effort to meet this pathetic
demand for a bit Of green
THE CHILDREN LOVE THEM.
The principal OF one school writes the chairman
of the committee: "If you could how the chill
Gren love and tend the smallest plant growing in
the classroom box you would understand why l
am 50 anxious that tree should be planted here
a tree that would be the chiIdren's very own -
Miss Churchyard. Of the College Settlement. No
IS Rivington-st, il representing the settlement IN
terests in the committees work 1t Is designed that
this year ell such institutions as well as the pub
Lie schools shall observe Arbor Day in some prac-
teal way. Miss Churchyard is visiting tho heads
OF the settlements. the dweers in their immediate
neighborhood. and the owners Of the property to
their Endorsement OF the proposed work
So far she has encountered no objections. but has
been met with enthusiastic encouragement One
snrst floor dweller in room where the sun
rarely reached did inquire tiu1dly II tree would
make It much darker" apparently fearing Miss
Churchyard had few primeval forests Up her
sleeve. But when reassured as to the size Of the
modest sapng the committee had In mind. not TO
speak of the number OF years before 1t made
itself felt as to shade over the scorching pave
nnents and cobblestones the dweller in dark places
nodded her head comfortably. Guess I'll be gone
afore It'll do much damage"
FRIEND TO HUNDREDS.
1t is planned to plant fine Carolina popars in
RfvinEton-gt in front of the College Settlement
e1Ioo fhAH~ IaC fG toll
straight and sturdy notwithstanding the fact that
twice last summer the crowds in the narrow push
cart lined street pushed It fat down upon the pave
ment Neither time II intentional. however
the sa plng Is really the centre OF a6ectionate
gard for blocks around. It is now tethered to the
roof of the settlement building to prevent any
further disaster.
An amusing Interpretation OF the little printed in
scripuon which this tree guard bears in common
with all set out by the tenement shade tree com
mittee was that Of weary looking woman who
car E oa oaOY ne In @ n oe and read car
fully the Inscription: This tree is gift to all
tpe'i the leaves and small twgs within reach some one
rsGr rsVaee Wby the baby likes EN-, protested the
astonshed woman, 'and it says on there it's gift
The Board Of Educatio is heartily IN favor of the
planting work but until sufficient actual class
It agrees with the committee that apart from the
the pSnting Of trees in school yards and vicinites
is quite legitimate use Of its funds as the ex-
buildings themselves The committee has enlisted
the interest of the members OF the local school
hoards and hopes to put out at LEASE from fifty to
eeventy-ve trees during the next six weeks in the
ali cannot be put into the ground on ATbor Day.
but thev will all be there in time for the May
exercises
WHY NOT PLANT TREES HERE?
..one of tha aims of the committee" says Datus
G Smith. its chairman, "is too East Broadway
made In some manner boulevard for the people
of the East Side II a good thing in
unper Broadway. why are they IN the lower
work will be done by the city: it should be. But
the initiative in everything OF the sort has first.
of course to be taken by individuals. We hope to
nIant enough trees this season to demonstrate how
Investment few dollars put into trees will prove
THAT trees will grow in the streets of New-York
has been fully demonstrated. Thousands OF trees
set ont In the during the last Ave
hourishng and in different parts Of the city there
are still old trees which have thrived in spite Of
great neglect. 80,
."Ten trees will be planted in East Broadway this
wear near public school No. 147."
contr,bution toward the tree planting fund. While
II costs SIS to purchase and properly set out each
tree even dimes Will be welcomed. Charles Z.
Henderson, No 24 Nassau-st. treasurer of the Tree
Planting Association will gladly acknowledge any
contribution sent to him for the of the Tene
rnent Shade Tree Committee. among whose mem
bers are the following
Stewart Chaplin. Mrs Frederic s Lee
John D. Crmmins- Mrs V. Evertt Macy
p Futon Cutting Jacob A RiiS.
Mrs. Austin Flint IT. Edwin r A Seiigman
David H. Greer, D. D. Nrs James Speyer-
Nrs C~nrtaftan A Her1er )Chares ThaddaVS Terry.
ArrhhaId A Hill. Lawrence WELLER.
Mrs. l. Emmett Holt Datus I Srrith