The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-04-10
MsRYLAND's ARB0H DAY

MARyLAND'S AHB0H DAY.
Governor Crothers has designated
teday-the 10th of April-as State
Arbor Day. In his official announce
ment the Governor says: 81 recon-
mend that this day be observed as
such. and that the people OF the
state devote the same to the plant,
ing of trees, and especially do L urge
the teachers of the public schools OF
the state to encourage the children
under their charge and influence to
plant on this day at least one forest
shade tree by the side Of the public
road" Every state and territory
with the exception of Delaware and
the Indian Territory, have establish
ed an annual tree-planting day. In
a few of the Western states Arbot
Day is observed as it should be OBJ
served: that is, it is day devoted to
tree planting upon q scale that III
sures extensive and abundant arbOr-
cal results. Arbor Day has 8 real
meaning in most OF the Central
states.
Maryland has for years been OBJ
serving, in a sentimental and i'm
practical way, the annually recurring
tree planting day. 1t has been re,
garded mostly as vernal school hol,
iday, celebrated with songs, oratory
and with just a little, but not much,
actual planting. 1t cannot be
claimed that Maryland's officially
appointed tree planting days. count
ing from the very beginning Of the
observance, have produced any very
impressive results either in the pure
ly rural districts or in the cities.
towns and villages. There has, APP
parently, never been in any county
in this state, and certainly not ID
Baltimore city, any organized at
tempt to plant trees methodicallv.
extensively and with al intelligently
planned purpose on the day officially
designated. It would be interesting
to know why there has always been
this merely sentimental observance
of Arbor Day in this state.
1t is, perhaps, to be attributed to
the fact that trae-planting sentiment
has never been properly aroused, Or
oanized and directed. Each year
since the day has been a statutory
institution the chief executive OF tue
state has duly announced the date,
making in connection Herewith such
formal suggestions as occur TO him.
Almost from the first it was assumed
that the schoolchildren would make
the day specially, and in this there
has been no disappointment-they
have made it speciality. But the
schoolchildren. no matter how will
ing and enthusiastic they may have
been in the matter, and notwith
ing the encouragement and aid ex-
tended by the teachers. have not
been properly equipped for doing the
large and important work which
ought to be done on Arbor day.
Magnificent results could be &C
complished in every county of Mary
land and in all the cities and towns
if the annual tree-plantlng day were
only made an occasion for a general
all over-the-state setting out of trees.
along the public highways. around
the town squares, on both sides the
residential streetS-WhereVer tree
properly and appropriately could and
should be planted. This proposition
of general planting crusade on
q set day is one that strongly takes
hold of the imagination, and there is
nothing needed but intelligent organ
izing effort, somebody in every com
munity to take hold of the matter
and start to work-to assure practi-
cal results. The tree-planting pro
gram should be arranged completely
and in detail before Arbor Day
swings around. There should be a
tree-planting squad, selected from
the volunteers who would willingly
serve, appointed for every iineal
mile of public road in the state. /
is not too late to do something prac
teal and impressive in the May ol
putting out trees today. -BaltimoG
American.