Putnam patriot., 1908-07-17
Putnam's Shade Trees,

Putnam's Shade Trees,
 This city has always had a goodly number of fine shade trees, its elms ars especially noted. The first year the
 people were notified by the Governor
 To Keep Arbor Day as public holiday,
 by setting out trees on the highways and other public places, the citizens
 or at least goodly number of the pub.
 iic-spirited men-organized in obe.
 dienee 10 the Governors Proclamation
 and bought and set out some hundreds Of shade trees to adorn and beaaiify the eity- It was a good work, well done,
 and today most of those trees have grown najestieally, and are esteemed
 priceless by those whose property was improved by from half dozen to q score of trees. We do not think those
 trees could be bought for S1o,00o If it
 were iustifiable to sell them. Yet the expense of labor, trees and other needs did not exceed three or four hundred dollars-not but trifie compared to their present worth.
 Such work of devotion elevates d peo- pie and gives their city high reputa- tion for good citizenship, and our citi- zens would honor themselves by con certing together to do work or service to make their home city and town more attractive. not only to win outside fa ver and praise, but for their own best good and happiness. Such work can be made great pleasure without count ing any financial beneiit.
 . Since that noted Arbor Day, the city has never come together for any united effort for mutual matter, and eense- quentIy the city lacks that charm of friendly intercourse that would give greater happiness in their social inter- course. Ne need more friendliness as a community 10 develop the best citi- zenship.
 The first step has been taken, We are glad to say, in the recent organization of the Business Mems Association. It's proposed work includes giving our city a better social atmosphere as well as increasing it's prosperity and watching over it's general interests. It's active work will begin, we suppose, as. soon as the "outing season. is ended. We have great hopes of it's success as a power for good 10 our city and general community by being ever ready and prepared to give expression, as circam- stances require, to every movement and what is needed to promote the highest good of our city.
 Among the first thing that will ie brought to it's attention, will be the need of some action to care for our shade trees. They are greatly in need of attention just now, if a certain class of them are to be saved. IL should be the duty Of some special officer te look after them and make public report con corning their condition and to suggest what improvements can be made, to the Common Council or Board of Se- lectmen. Then, if any citizen sees the need of some immediate care to protect any tree or trees he can communicate with the agent. Our citizens know little, if anything, about our public trees, because their condition has never been made public. If we want our cit izens to interest themselves in what ever concerns the public veal, they must be kept enlightened. The care of our shade trees should have ifnme- diale attention, and if there is no other authority to attend to it, our Business Mems Association should take The matter in hand.