The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1916-04-07
Giving ArbOr Day Practical Turn

The annual proclamation Of the
Governor reminds us that Arbor Day
falls on Friday, the 7th of April 1t
calls on people irrespective of age or
sex to aid the efforts which the State
itself is making to set Maryland we'll
up among the other States for its at
tractive homes, fine trees and valu-
able forests.
Arbor Day, very unfortunately, Is
but one day in year, and people
have often remarked that If the en-
thusiasm and effort expended on that
day toward the planting of trees and
the conservation of forests might be
distributed over the year as a whole,
much good might be accomplished in
a practical direction. Since obvious
ly this is not or cannot, be so, it re-
mains to ascertain what steps may
be taken to the end that the resultant
benefits of one days work may them
selves be divided among this and
many years. not failing in their et-
fects through the cessation Of en-
thusiasm and care too often prone to
succeed the tree-planting of institu-
tions and individuals on Arbor Day.
Since its formation in 1906. the
State Board of Forestry OF Maryland
has been bending good share or It's
energies toward inducing owners of
waste land to reclaim them through
more profitable use. The State OF
Maryland is normally a fertile one,
yet II per cent of its total land area.
674,95 acres, are classified as waste
lands at the present time. This is
unfortunate, but none the less a fact,
and lands once good enough to grow
good crops of timber, later showing
profitable returns when used for ag-
riculture, have so far deteriorated
through the direct effects of forest
removal, erosion, and poor use as
hardly to be fit now for anything,
certainly not for farms. Only one
crop is still available; that is of
trees. For two years landowners OF
the State have had the opportunity
of buying standard, well-grown for
est planting stock at cost. Many OF
them have, and year ago about
$4,000 trees were so disposed of. Penn
sylvania grew and planted several
million and though they are larger
than we, the disproportion in size is
infinitely less than that in planting.
Other sections should not be more
progressive han this, probably are not
really, but something is needed to
convert this subject of tree-planting
from an admitted need to an accom-
plished fact.
Arbor Day affords an opportunity,
and forest planting stock is still OBJ
tainable through the Board of For
estry at Baltimore. Such standard
varieties as White Pine, Norway
Spruce, Red Oak. Black and Honey
Locust, White Ash and American Elm
are for sale as little trees to persons,
schools, and organizations at low
per-thousand charge, averaging rath-
er less than one cent each. Large
quantities and single trees are sold,
and the forest plantation is one
which thrives under a minimum of
cultivation and care. Full directions
for proper planting accompany each
order filled, and when desired expert
assistance from the Office of the
State Forester, Johns Hopkins Uni
versity, is also supplied to formulate
planting plans or execute the work.
The planting season will commence
on or before ArbOr Day. OrganlZa-
tons or individuals who wish to give
a practitrend to that days work,
combining attractiveness and utility,
sentiment and business, cannot do
better than by carrying it out in a
systematic way that will later reflect
their good judgment and prove an
excellent investment. They should
order trees at once.