Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-05-11
MAINE EDITORIAL COMMENT
Arbor Day Duties,

(Blddeford Journal)
Next Friday. May ~, has Deen deSig-
Mated by Governor Cobb as Arbur Day IN
the State OF Maine, and it is to be hoped
that the recurrence of the day will not
only be the occasion OF the planting Uf
trees and shrubs but that in Its broader
Office 1t may aid in inspiring re;,izing
sense OIL the danger tO the State and to
tne nation from the devastation OF our
forests. In this direction it is the duty
OF the present generation to restore as
la; as may DC what has been destroyed
by Wastcful predecessors, and in assum-
ing the task We should be encouraged by
the thought that the work is of such Il
nature that it will benefit not only our
selves but those who are to come after us
on the stage OF life. In a narrower sense
but IN the direction OF producing more di-
rect results, the observance OF ArbOr Day
in 4 city represents at best an aspiration
rather than an achievement; in the coun-
try it represents too often Il function
that may be thought pleasing but not
necessary. For this reason, possibly, the
hest work of the day comes through exer-
cis"s in which the schools take part. Even
where opportunities are restricted so that
the best the children can 90 is to plant
seeds IN boxes they may get ideas of the
mysterious beauty of growing things
which will lead them more and more into
th open air, to the benefit of their health
and the development of healthier ideas.
IL the holiday had been instituted Il CEN
tGry ago We should now be seein. benc-
iIt IN the direction of Il more practical
public sentiment than now prevails, and
for this reason it is incumbent on every
ru9li, spirited citizen to take an active
and earnest part in the work too long de-
llycd. In the natural course of events
there will come a time when systematic
tree planting ard forest preservation will
prevail and through early teachinc the
children OF the present generation will be
ll' the more ready to help that movement
along as 1t deserves. And in connection
with ArpOr Day there are several issues
only Il trtie. if any less important than
he n.,iE one of planting trees. The most
important of these involves the very life
of trees already planted. The truth of
this statement can he verified by Il walk
through the streets of any city and most
| Of the villages of Maine. for in too many
cases the life of tree in the public
streets is a continual fight for existence
Everywhere the trees bear the marks
wher" horses have been allowed to gnaw
the bark. or where the builders have
chafed them by using them as anchor
posts for guy ropes and chains. the line
men of the telephone. telegraph and cleo
trio light companies regard the trees as
natural enemies to the Stringing of wires
or as simple posts tc aid in their work:
close around the base of trees. thus de-
priving them of moisture by hermetically
scaling the ground: 1eIky gas pipes poison
the soil and ungOverned electric currents
destroy the roots. Some of these evils
could he easily mitgatcd and some are
the result of gross ignorance or stupidity
In the ideal existence we are to live when
every man does instnctively as well as
h" knows. these curablo evils. will not OK
ist. and the tree planted by nature or by
natures CONSERVATION will have at least an
even chance for life. IF Won own q hit Of
land where there is room for n tree or
shrub. make preparations to observe Ar
bor Day in the proper spirit. If Won hov"
no srOt Of earth in your keeping plant n
good resolution to do what YOU can to en-
couroce the spirit that may make Of Ar
| hor Dav one Of tho most pleasing and
rr"ftah'" on the list Of holidays. And
when yOn have done your nlanting
| whether It he of Il tree or resolution see
to II th"t II does rot die Of neglect II
anv needed reform. the creation of favor
able public sentiment is the first ren,,is'tn
| y" success. and tho most inconSpicuOllS in
| dividnal may help in this direction if in
no other