Milford chronicle., 1916-05-12


land Country Road.
servance has been its effect in i'm.
pressing upon the minds Of the young
people the value Of trees and the ne
cessity of conserving all the natural
resources of the country
AS a school festival It 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 it 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 a
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 a 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,
leafet 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 As 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 1918 the United
States bureau of education issued q
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 If the road /
is poorly built; but trees are actually
an aid in keeping a well-built road dry,
if 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, is the prevention of dust.
Dust is the cementing material in
roads. and If It is loosened
and blown away the breaking up OF
he road is hastened.
The greatest value Of Arbor day lies
n its effect upon our attitude toward
he trees that are already growing; for
nanifestly there are thousands OF
rees of natural origin to every one
planted by man. The average citizen
s only now beginning to care for these
rees.
Farmers have been in the habit Of
urning their cattle in to Craze on
heir woodlands, where they break of
md destroy the young growth, trample
md injure the roots OF the larger trees
md pack the ground hard, thus not ,
inly destroying the future forest but !
the life Of the trees that I
re already growing The Arbor day !
tudent who has been taught to plant
nd care for trees will, in after years.
% more think Of turning cattle into
is woodlot than into his cornfeld.