The Washington herald., 1908-03-13
ARBOR DAYS IN AMERICA
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

To-day is Arbor Day in the new State
Of Oklahoma. being the Friday follow
ing the second Monday in March. as
stipulated by the laws Of that Common
wealth. With the possible exception OF
Delaware. every State and Territory has
day known as Arbor Day. The varia-
ton IN climatic conditions has necessar-
.iy made the selection of that day a dif-
ferent one throughout the Union In
Texas It falls in February; in Arkansas
and Oklahoma, in March; in Nebraska,
Utah, and Colorado, in April; in Rhode
Island and Montana, in May. Other
States have put ArbOr Day in the late
fall and winter calendar, Georgia having
the first Friday in December. In some
States the day is a legal holiday. In
some IL has never had a definite date.
that being left to the discretion of the
governors,
\ few years ago Arbor Day was gen
orally elassed IN the average mind as be-
ing only among the things that go TO
make up very attractive school calen-
dar 1t meant a gathering at the little
red schOOlhouse 10 see procession or
boys and girls in their best clothes march
proudly past a siekly little sapling stuck
awry in a badly excavated hole, throw in
a handful of dirt and murmur some SEN
timent in regard 10 trees and flowers.
Usually the tree died. and the general
belief was that the lesson OF the day
died. too. But the lesson did not die
In proof the doubling Thomases can be
cited 20 the fact that more practical
side has been developed a more prac-
teal turn given the exercises of the
day, and in many instances lectures on
practical forestry. gardening. and plant
study are taking the place of the senti-
mental addresses and pretty poems. These
sentimental things. however. were not 10
be cried down; they served their turn. II
is only that times are getting 20 be more
practical and things more utllitarian.
In Canada. where our idea OF Arbor
Day spread early. the proclamation nam
ing the day and stating its purpose. also
stated that on that day the school gar
dens must be planted and shrubs set for
beautfying the grounds. This Is an idea
that the Forest Service OF the United
States heartily indorses. and its workers
further urge that on Arbor Day each
school plant tree seeds, so as to have the
plants ready for future use.
The lesson or AFhor Day Is the use and
value OF the tree in the life OF the nation. %
says the Forest Service in one OF its circu-
lars. Il deplOres the lack Of prolonged
interest that has hitherto characterized
the observance OF the day. the poor judg-
ment displayed in selecting trees that are
adapted TO local conditions Of climate
and soil. the lack Of care later given the
trees, and the smallness Of the scale on
which planting has usually been done.
When all II hopes for in the meaning OF
Arbor Day has been realized. the nation
VIII see that the day has come 10 have
a wide significance. The term should
connOte knowledge OF trees, the value of
trees for the protection and Improvement
OF home and school grounds. as well as
planting Of trees 10 produce material for
farm uses and 10 augment the waning
supply Of timber.
one mission Of Arbor Day should be To
make every child in the United States
know the native trees near his home
hoS they grow. and how they are repro
duced. Such a lesson win ultimately be
invaluable when the nation begins 10
realize the necessity for conservative
numbering and the arts Of reforestinS.
Then Il viii be known what trees to use.
In the Lake States and the States OF
the Northeast, most OF the timberIands
have been laid waste, but the State and
individuals are planting white pine with
a prospect OF money return for the next
generation, and an increase in land val
ues New York State. alone, has refor-
ested 1000 acres in the Adirondaeks.
Railroads in the East are planting trees
on the mountain sides for future supplies
OF ties, and coal companies are planting
oak, chestnut, European larch, locust.
and ike species for future props in their
mines. The farmers of the wind-swept
Middle West. and those out on the open
irrigation projects are setting out fast
growing species, such as cottonwood and
Norway poplar. for posts. and shelter
belts and wood lots OF European larch.
catalpa. locust. Usage orange and double
rows OF pines and spruce. Southern Cal
ifornia Is dotted With groves Of euca-
lyptus. that wonderful. rapid growing
tropical tree suited only TO that State.
seedlings 10 set out each year. is plant
ing Douglas fir. yellow pine, jeffrey pine,
and incense cedar.
One OF the biggest lessons TO be taught
on Arbor Day. one OF equal interest in
country place or crowded city, IS that the
water supply Of the country is depend
ent on the forests OF the mountain and
hillsides; that only by trees and their
roots can the nations water resources
be conserved for irrigation purposes. for
manufacturing power. and for supplying
the cities with water. Uncle Sans per-
petual Arbor Day OF 365 real days is de-
voted 10 the work of planting thousands
OF trees on deforested lands In national
parks. and II is an object lesson that is
worthy Of consideration by every State
on its individual Arbor Day.
The division OF forestry extension in
the Forest Service OF the United States
receives hundreds of letters every week
asking that a selection OF trees for Ar
Dor Day exercises be made. and IN the