Omaha daily bee., 1916-04-16
SPIRIT OF ARDOR
DAY PERPETUATED
Millions OF Trees Have Been
Planted Since Day Was First
Observed
EXERCISES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

While locally there will be no general
observance of Arbof day this year, other
than 10 regard and keep II ne legal
holiday throughout the state ~ Me-
brsska. ~ IN the past, thousands, and
perhaps hundreds Of thousands Of trees
viii be planted,
Here In the city, instead Of waiting
for the coming ~ Arbor day, people OF
tres,planilng minds have pretty we'll fin-
iahcd the beautlfsinE 81 their yards and
lots, without waiting for the coming ~
the holiday that has come 10 be looked
upon ~ one o. the mort important Of
tie year
IN past years II vas the custom With
the Park hoard and good fnanY Of the
civic societies 10 plant trees on Arbor
day but during moro recent years they
have done The planting a. an earlier
date 81 far this year the Park com
mission has planted several thoushnd
trees along the boulevards. and by Ar
bor day the work viii be pretty well
concluded
This year. Arbor day. April N, comes
on 4 Saturday and consequently the En-.
erclses In fiie schools VIII be held Frt-
day These ererclsfs viii consist Of
songr and stories concerning trees, told
BY both teachers and children
.. y. Morton's Hirfhday.
The Arbor day topic hiss been 30 thor
0uKhiy grounded that boys and girts ~
Nebraska. even those ~ tender years,
are a. familiar with its origin 40 they
srs with the origin Of the Fourth Of
July. They know that April n marks
The birthday anniversary Of the late 4.
Sterling Morton, an honored Nebraska
pioneer who during his lifetime resided
At Arbor Lodge. Just outside the cor.
pornto limits Of Nebraska City. The
young people know that he wss the
founder Of Arbof day and that II was
through his efforts that the holiday came
into existence. They also know that
most 81 tho other states ~ the union
followed the lead get by Mr.. Morton and
that now Arbor day n pretty general,
designated ~ a holiday,
January I. 1872. Mr.. Morton appeared
before the state Bonrd Of Agriculture
when II was holding its annual session
IN Lincoln, and called attention 70 th'
fact that Nebraska was a wide axpans'
N treelcse prairie. rich IN its produc
fiyeness Of MI the grains and grasses
bot that with fine exception Of along tb'
aweams and IN the draws and canoni
extending back from these streams, wal
almost devoid Of timber.
Mr.. Morton pointed 10 Tho fact that fh'
sal that would produce crops ~ aucl
abundance would grow troes II they wer'
e.. a.
the fires that In those pioneer day
swept over the pralries almost eecf
spring and fall Tho arguments were -
convincing that the board looked upoi
he project with considerable favor.
Prizes Were Offered.
Before adjournment the board deeig
mated April 10 Of each year ne Arbo
day and offered a prize Of 500 70 IN
county that, The following year. reporte'
The greatest number OF trees planted. 4
create stili more interest IN tree planting
a prize of t2s was offered 70 the Ne
braska farmer who, the next year, 70
ported the largest number OF tree
planted and growing
The first Arbor day after the adoption
Of the resolution adopted by the Stat
hoard OF Agriculture. more than 10000
forest trees we're planted on farms en-
IN the cities and towns. and Il IL sal
that during the Arbor day Of 1873 fun
a. many npore were set out.
The movement TO plant trees met wit
such universal favor IN all parts Of III
state that March I. 1874, Governor Furna
issued proclamation, calling for IN
public observance OF Arbor day an
designated II as ens Of the state holiday
II continued a. q ssmi-holiday until iSs
when the state Legislature gave II ieg'
status by the passage Of law. fixing
as one OF the Nebraska holidays tn
date OF its observance was changed b
statute however. and instead OF contint
ing II on April 10. Il was changed
April e. the birthday Of Mr.. Mortol
since the session Of the legislature th'
fixed the legal status OF Arbor day. stat
after state has taken the matter up an
passed laws. setting aside some day dul
ing April ~ an occasion for plantin
treen.