Arizona republican., 1910-10-19
SUGGESTION ON THE
 PLANTING OF TREES SCHOOL CHILDREN MAY DO MUCH TO REAUTIFY THE
 VALLEY. A Few Things That Have Been Ac- compIshed Along This Line In Other States, and the Methods
 Pursued.

More and more attention is being paid in America to the planting of trees-to the forestation of deforested or naturally barren areas and to the arboreaI Identification of school yards, farms and highways Several local persons have recently suggested to The Republican the advisability of forming boys tree planting clubs in the Salt River valley and the en- couragement of school children to set out trees.
 Several towns in the eastern states have organized boys into tree plant ing clubs. This movement, where tried, is succeeding wonderfully in creating interest in trees, their planting and the benefits acoruing. A movement has also been started to interest the boys in native or other forest trees, in protection of the for ests from fire, in spreading better ideas as to the necessity for the con- servation of the trees and brush over our watersheds.
 These ideas are encouraged by Clifford Pinchot former chief forester of the United States, and practically everyone interested in conservation. The eligible age is from twelve to twenty and farmer boys are especial ly sought as members of the clubs
 In other parts of the country schools have done much towards re forestation and Identification. Tree nurseries have been established in each school yard and at intervals the children enjoy outings for the pur- pose of planting young trees along highways. School yards are also lib orally planted to trees.
 There are many tres in the Salt River valley but nearly all of them are cottonwoods. Even these are being cut down for fence posts more rapidly than they are growing. It must also be admitted that few school yards have any trees to speak of in their front yards. Some times they are planted but little care is taken of them thereafter. Frequently the children, who should be taught to care for them. deliberately pull up the trees or in their careless playing knock them down.
 There are a great many persons in this section who are vitally interested in seeing trees planted and taken care of. Secretary Harry Welch of the board of trade recently devoted some time to looking up and investl- gating the methods employed to en- courage planting among school chil- dren.
 The first step is to establish a tree garden In some places hothouses have been provided for the schools but they would not be necessary in this climate. Months before arbor day, trees are planted in tin cans and carefully nursed. Then, on ar bor day or other days that are con- venient. the children plant them. Most of the trees are placed along highways. Often the children coop crate with county or district road superintendents, who suggest the most advantageous places for trees to be planted.
 Some months later the children visit the trees they have planted prop up those that have fallen and replace missing ones. In this way they make sure that their work counts for something.
 Frequently school children are able to sell, at good prices, the trees they grow in their nurseries Mir. Welch ran across one, account of where the entire stock of one school had been purchased by a railroad company al ten cents apiece. The total amount paid over was several hundred dol lars.
 In some schools prizes are offered to the children showing the best re- suits. Prizes are sometimes offered by county supervisors or persons ln- terested in forestry to the schools showing the best results. Naturally this tends to stimulate interest among the children.
 MT Welch suggests that 1t would be a good idea for the schools oi Maricopa county to cooperate with the University of Arizona in the mat ter of selecting the proper kinds oi trees to plant.
 All that is needed is someone to start the ball rolling. Arbor day comes in February in this territory and this is about the proper time oi the year to begin planting trees 1T cans By the time arbor day rolls around they will be large and strong ano,,ob tO live in the open.