The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-04-25
Observance Originated With J. Sterl.
Ing Morton, One Time Secre-
tary Of Agriculture, De-
partment Of U. S.
THE CUSTOM HAS GROWN
Idea Of Planting Ono Tree or Vine
on That Day Grew From Some
Of the Practices Of
Pioneers.

FIiudyF VIII De ArDOr DAY. ATDOT
day is of special Importance because
| 1t is also Bird day. One who loves
the trees and birds has written or
the day as follows
J. Sterling Morton, once secretary
of the United States department Of
agriculture, originated Arbor day in
Nebraska in 1872. His idea was a
marvellous success the first year, and
still more so each succe eding year.
So remarkable have been the results
of Arbor day In Nebraska that its
originator is gratefully recognized as
the great benefactor of his state.
Where, twenty years ago, the books
said trees would not grow, the set
tier who does not plant them is the
exception.
| Arbor day in Iowa Is observed on
Friday, and of late years the beautiful
old custom Of planting a tree upon
Arbor day has been in many sections
of the state neglected. Schools all
over the state, whether in city or
town, should join in planting with a
song, or few appropriate simple ex-
ercises, one or more trees upon the
school premises. The result will be
appreciated by future generations OF
school children.
"Apple-Seed John" the man who
planted an apple seed every time he
ate an apple, was responsible for the
thousands of apple trees which grace
one of the mid-western states. It is
simple thing to stop by the roadside
and bury the apple core, but in this
hurly-burly life Of the times, how
many stop to do 1t?
In the early days when the pion-
GERS were settling our country from
Maine to the gulf and from the Allan
tic coast westward, they were obliged
to clear space among the trees to
make room for building their homes
and cultivating their crops. Thus it
became a general practice to clear
away trees. Trees were so plentiful
that their value was not properly ap-
lpreciated and 1t was not until the
clearings had been made and the for
ests depleted that our people began
| to appreciate the value of trees which
When the people living in the wooded
sections Of the east and central
states moved westward to the tree
less plains beyond the Missouri riv-
er, they soon felt the need OF trees
|
the value of the tree as a protector
and companion to the better i'm
pulses of the mind.
In Iowa, it is known as Arbor and
Bird day, the two being SO closely
allied to one another. Without the
trees, there are no birds; without the
birds, we set the trees that we may
have more birds. He also quotes
William Cullen Bryant as follows:
Come, let us plant the apple tree!
Cleave the tough greensward with the
spade:
Wide let its hollow bed be made;
There gently lay the roots, and there
Stir the dark mold with kindly care,
And press It DER them tenderly,
AS round the sleeping infants feet
! We softly fold the cradle sheet;
So plant we the apple tree.
What plant we in this apple tree?
Buds which the breath Of summer
days
Shall iengthen into leafy sprays:
son breast
Shall haunt and sing, and hide her
nest:
We plant upon the sunny lea
| A shadow for the noontide hour.
A shelter from the summer shower,
When we plant the apple tree.
Appeal and Proclamation.
The appeal and proclamation by