The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-22
IMPORTANCE OF ARBOR DAY.
Governor Issues a Proclamation Set
ting Aside Two Days in the Year.

Oct. % will be Arbor day in Indiana and
preparations are being made by the diff
ferent horticultural societies and schools Of
the State to observe the day with proper
exercises. Yesterday Governor Durbin is
sued his annual proclamation setting aside
two days out of each year which are to be
observed as Arbor days throughout the
State by the planting of trees for the beau
LITIGATION Of public and private lands of
the State. The Governors proclamation
follows:
There has been within recent years
widespread awakening of interest in refor
estation, especially in Indiana, a State
favored lavishly by nature with timber re-
sources that, to the pioneer, seemed limit
less and inexhaustible. The rapid develop
ment of the agricultural and industrial in
terests of the State has been accompanied
by a sacrifice of our forests until the peo-
pie of Indiana have been brought to a
realization of the Importance Of systematic
effort with view to preventing further
devastation. There has arisen a patriotic
interest in the planting and preservation
of trees which not only furnish the raw
materials necessary TO the maintenance or
many Of Indiana's most important domestic
industries, but perform an invaluable
aesthetic function in adding variety and
charm to the landscape.
appropriately, therefore, the State has
taken cogniZance of the economic necessity
of forest restoration and preservation. For
estry laws adapted to the peculiar condi-
tions existing in this State have been en-
acted Apparent progress has been made in
arousing the people of Indiana to the vast
Importance. especially to future genera
tons, of that systematic and persistent eff
fort necessary to the ample realization OF
the possibilities of the soil and the climate
of our State in the development of timber
resources. In further recognition of the
States interest in this important movement
l, Winfield r. Durbin, Governor of the
State of Indiana, do hereby designate and
proclaim, Friday, April "a, and Friday.
Oct %, 1903, to be observed as Arbor days
throughout the State by the planting Of
private grounds and highways And it is
hereby recommended that those having
charge of public and private schools shall
provide for the further celebration Of the
second date hereby set apart by exercises
appropriate thereto"
F. A Cotton; State superintendent Of
public instruction, has prepared number OF
letters which he will send out to the diff
ferent schools of the State this morning, re-
commencing that the proclamation OF the
Governor be read to every school In the
State and that the children take special
interest in Arbor day programmes. The let
ter of Mr.. Cotton is as follows:
1T has been the custom for a number of
years to observe Arbor and Bird day in the
work have been very gratifying to all
lovers O. nature. 1t is important to in
culcate in the minds of the children sin
eete love for ana ana hsa fo frees
and birds.
Nothing speaks more for the culture Of
a home or a school than well-kept lawns
with beautiful plants, trees and vines
which present inviting places for the native
birds.
1.-THE Governors proclamation sets forth
clearly the Importance of observing such
days and it would be well to have this
proclamation read to every school in the
State.
mo pains have been spared by the sec
of Forestry
the State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton to make this the best programme that
has ever been issued
"a number of special plates have been
used in the preparation of this programme,
IT is added and it is hoped that they
will greatly increase the interest in the
work.
81 sincerely hope that the school chill
dren of Indiana will take a keener pleas
ure and interest in Arbor day this year
than ever before