The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-03-24
ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION
Governor EIrOd Sets Aside
April 2ISt For Tree Planting

Pierre, 5. D., March 2O.-GOvernO1
Elrod has issued the following Arbor
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, I, Samuel H. Ell
rod, governor of the state of South
Dakota, do hereby designate Friday,
April 81, 1905, as Arbor day.
Zone swallow does not make a sum
mer, nor one shade tree an ideal home,
but farmers houses without trees are
like shoes without stockings, like
boots without straps, like meals with
out drink. Farmers homes without
trees are only stopping places. The
latent influences of trees are refining,
civilizing, %ennobling. Without them
summer is a barren existence and
winter a bleak and unwelcome guest"
The foregoing from the pen of Mr..
Wilkinson of Belle Fourche in the Da-
kota Farmer is SO much in point that
l gladly make it a part of this procla-
nation.
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 set
ting out these trees for sixteen years
and some of them now measure more
than five feet around. They are be-
ing extensively planted in cities and
towns throughout the United States
on account of their rapid growth.
They are perfectly hardy here.
Every farmer should plant at least
n row of willow cuttings in soft low
ground, from east to west. They will
soon grow into a thing of beauty and
be useful for wood, for windbreak and
for shelter for stock.
Too little time and pains are used in
setting out and caring for trees.
When setting a tree spread out the
roots to a 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 out 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
planted around each school house
School officers, teachers and school
children are urged to do their full
share to make the law a success
1t will be most pleasing to see the
little white school houses of our state
surrounded by green, thrifty growing
trees, and let us hope that the next
legislature will provide that the flag Of
our country shall float from each and
every school house within the bound.
aries of u commonwealth during
school hours. Look at the picture
the little white school house in the
grove of green, adorned with the hap
that Washington designed.
In brief, citizens of South Dakota
plant trees. They will live and grow il
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 Fathe,
has provided for his children.
In testimony whereof 1 have hereun
to set my hand and caused the great
seal of the state of South Dakota tc
be affixed. Done at the capitol. in thu
city of Pierre, this 18th day of March
A. D. 1905.
By the Governor,
Samuel H. Elrod.
D. D. Wipf, Secretary Of State.