Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-04-04
OREGON ARBOR DAY
WILL BE OBSERVED

This is the time of year nature be-
gins to put on her most attractive
garb; the winter with its rain and
snow retires to the background and
spring comes to the front clothing the
fields in mantle Of green, causing
the trees to bud, and giving everything
the vigor and strength Of a new life
On this Pacific coast nature has in
truth lavished the best of her treas
ures in giving it climate unsur-
passed by any other land. Here the
farmer fears not that the winter Is
snow will destroy and damage his pos
sessions, nor in summer that drouth
may ruin what he has planted. The
outdoor laborer works all the year
through caring not for the seasons.
Thus it is we have reason to rejoice
more than the inhabitant Of the East,
Arbor day is near at hand and with
its approach we should endeavor to
show our gratitude to bountiful nature
by giving her the help which even she
at times needs. 1t may be that we
cannot do much; but the little we are
liable to do, even if it be but the clean
ing of our lawn, will show that we have
the right spirit. This day, set aside
by official act of the state for the
planting of trees and the identifying
of nature in general, was first thought
of by j. s. Morton and it was he who
developed the idea until now it has
become a national custom.
Julius Sterling Morton, founder of
Arbor day, was born in jefferson coun-
ty, New York, April %, 1882. He was
of Puritan stock, his ancestors having
come from England on the Little Ann,
the first ship after the MayAower. His
parents removed to Michigan when the
son was still baby. He was sent to
good private schools and seminaries
and later to the Michigan university
but was graduated at Union college
New York, in 1854. Immediately after
completing his college course he was
married and removed to Nebraska, and
in the following year chose Nebraska
City as his permanent home, locating
pre.emptor upon claim half mile
square, adjacent to the town. This es
tate grew into the beautiful Arbol
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holiday founded by Mr.. Morton, and
the home of the remainder of his life
An extract from the school law in
relation to the observance of Arboi
day by the schools of the state read.
| thus:
Section 90. The second Friday in
the afternoon in April of each year
shall hereafter be known throughout
the state as Arbor day.
Section SO. In order that the chill
dren in our public schools shall assist
in the work of adorning the school
grounds with trees, and to stimulate
the minds of children towards the
benefits of the preservation and perpet.
uation of our forests and the growing
of timber, it shall be the duty of the
authorities in every public school dis
trict in this state to assemble the pu-
pills in their charge on the above day
in the school building or elsewhere, as
they may deem proper, and to provide
for and conduct, under the general SUI
pervision Of city superintendents,
teachers, county superintendents, and
directors, or other school authorities
having the general charge and over
sight of the public schools in each city
or district, to have and hold such ex-
ercise as shall tend to encourage the
planting, protection and preservation
Of trees and shrubs, and an acquaint-
ance with the best methods to be
adopted to accomplish such results.
Section 64 The superintendent Of
public instruction shall, from year 10
year, under and by direction Of the
state board of education, have power
and prescribe from time 20 time o