The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1905-03-22
HIS FIRST.
Governor Elrod issues His First
Observation-Disclosures Day,
April 21.

Governor Elrod has issued the follow
ing aIbor day proclamation
With pleasure and with the hope that
more trees will be planted by the people
of South Dakota this year than In any
former year, |, Samuel H. Elrod, gov
ernor of the state of South Dakota, do
hereby deignate Friday, April 21, 1905,
as Arbor day.
lone swallow does not make a sum
| mer nor one shade tree an ideal home,
but farmers homes without trees are
| like shoes without stockings, like boots
without straps. like meals without
drink. Farmers homes without trees
are only stopping places. The latent
| influences of trees are refining, ciyiliz-
ing, enobling. Without them, summer
Is barren existence and winter a bleak
and unwelcome guest.
The foregoing from the pen of Mr..
Wilkinson of Belle Fourche, South Da-
kota. in the Dakota Farmer, is so much
in point that | gladly make it part of
this proclamation.
Secretary Wilson s forestry bureau
recommends the following trees for
South Dakota: White spruce. green
ash, white elm and evergreens, and the
writer of these lines recommends the
Carolina poplar. He has been setting
out these trees for sixteen years and
some of them now measure more than
five feet around. They are being ex-
tensively planted in cities and towns
throughout the United States on ac
count of their rapid growth They are
perfectly hardy here.
Every farmer should plant at least
one row of willow cuttings in soft, low
ground, from east to west. They will
soon grow into thing of beauty and
bs useful for wood, for windbreak and
for shelter for stock
Too little time and pains are used in
setting ont and caring for trees When
setting tree spread out the roots to
level with their starting point at the
tree and work the fine soil in between
the rootlets with your hands.
A large per cent. of all the trees that
will be set ont in South Dakota this
season will be DESTROYED by stock, etc,
because they are not protected by box
ing or fencing
The legislature recently passed the
Lightner bill requiring trees to be plant
ed around each schoolhouse. School
officers. teachers and school children
are urged to do their full share to make
the law success.
1t will be most pleasing to see the lit
a. 4. ye
rounded by green. thrifty, growing
trees. and let us hope that the next leg
islature will provide hat the flag of
our country shall float from each and
every school house within the boundar-
les of our commonwealth during school
hours. Look at the picture; the little
white school house in the grove of
green. adorned with the flag that
Washington designed.
In brief, citizens of South Dakota.
plant trees. They will live and grow
if properly planted and cared for. bless
ing mankind after those who planted
them have passed from this life TO the
better life which the All wise Father
has provided for his children.
In testimony whereof. / have here
unto set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the state of South Dakota to be
affixed Done at the capitol. in the
city of Pierre. this 18th day of March,
A. d. 1905. Samuel III. Elrod.
BY the Governor:
ID. ID. Wipf,
Secretary of State.