Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-04-27

servance has been its effect I'm i'm.
people the value Of trees and the ne
cessity Of conserving all the natural
resources OF the country.
AS a school festival 1t has spread
not only throughout the whole United
States but far beyond its borders.
The time OF the observance of Ar.
Dor day varies greatly in different
states and countries, being determined
somewhat by climatic conditions. In
many states Of the Union 1t is COM
bined with Bird day. In general the
date Is early in the year in the South
and is set further along toward sum-
mer In the more northern states.
A clean and beautiful town Is q
source of pride to its citizens and a
constant incentive to them to go on
and do better. A slovenly town is apt
to mean slovenly inhabitants. Nothing
so helps to beautify d city or town as
trees: and nothing SO educates the
people in public spirit and foresight
as the care of trees.
Recently Arbor day has begun to be
used as a means of stirring up inter
est in roadside planting. first in cities
and then in rural communities. The
city of Newark, N. j., is doing model
work in this line. There is a special
shade tree commission, which issues a
map of the city on which are shown the
streets that are in their care and the
variety of trees planted on each, q
leafiet giving directions for the plant
ing and care Of trees along the streets
and a general Arbor day pamphlet. In
one year nearly 3,177 trees were plant
ed on 46 streets. Many other cities are
now organizing the work Of tree plant
ing on the streets, and in every case
Arbor day is used as a means OF arous-
ing public interest. In 1913 the United
States bureau of education issued .
bulletin entitled Good Roads Arbor
Day" in which were set forth the ad.
vantages of planting trees along the
highways.
Some objection has been made tc
trees along the roadside on the ground
that they hinder drying out after wet
weather. This holds good IL the road
is poorly built: but trees are actually
an aid in keeping a well-built road dry
il they are not planted too close. The
roots by constantly taking in water as
sist in drainage, and the tops by break.
ing the force of driving rains prevent
washes in the roadway. The most i'm
portant use OF trees by the roadside,
however, IL the prevention Of dust
Dust Is the cementing material In
macadam roads, and IL 1t is loosened
and blown away the breaking up OF
the road is fastened.
The greatest value of Arbor day lies
in it's effect upon our attitude toward
the trees that are already growing: tor
manifestly there are thousands OF
trees of natural origin to every one
planted by man. The average citizen
Ia only now beginning to care for these
trees.
Farmers have been In the habit Of
turning their cattle In to Craze on
their woodlands, where they break OIL
and destroy the young growth. trample
and iniure the roots Of the larger trees
and pack the ground hard. thus not
only destroying the future forest but
shortening the life of the trees that
are already growing. The Arbor day
student who has been taught to plant
and care for trees win, In after years,
no more think OF turning cattle into
his woodlot than into his corndeld.