Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-17
ISSUE ARsoR AND
 BIRD DAY MANUAL
First School Arber Day in Ce0neeti-
 cut Was Held in 1876.


 The state board of education has issued an Arbor and Bird Day man. ual for April.
 necticut was in 1S76. the centennial year of American independence. when the Honorable B. G. Northrop, then secretary of the state board of educa- tion, offered a. prize of one dollar to every boy and girl who should plant five centennial trees"
 For ten years after that no such day was observed. In 1856 a law was day, in 1888 the law was amended, and provided that the day should be ob- served in schools and for economic tree-planting, and in 1899 the present law was passed. establishing Arbor and Bird day. The law follows:
 The governor shall annually. in the spring, designate by official proclama- tion an arbor and bird day, to be observed in the schools. and in such proclamation.
 It is wise to celebrate Arbor and Bird day together, as the accomplish ment of the purpose of either day de- pends upon the other. The birds pro- the injurious insects and by scatter ing the seeds. while, without the trees the birds would soon disappear.
 Those who established Arbor day years ago. were far seeing, for, at that time the destruction of the trees had hardly begun and the birds were still plenty. We. who can see whole noun tain sides barred of trees. and many beautiful shade and forest trees dying from the attacks Of insects and blight and who know that each year the number of certain of our choicest birds is smaller, do not need to look ahead to see the danger to the country. We are suffering now because others have not appreciated and cared for the trees and birds.
 Every person planting, protecting and cultivating elms, maple, tulip, ash basswood, oak, black walnut. hickory apple, peaR or cherry trees. not more than sixty feet apart. for three years along any public highway, shall be entitled to receive an annual bounty thereafter from the state of ten cents for each tree: but such bounty shall not be paid for more than five years nor any longer than such trees are maintained.
 Directions regarding the planting of trees are given as follows:
 Dig the hole deeper and several times wider than the tree requires If the tree just fits into the socket. the tips of the roots will meet a hard wall which they are too delicate to pene- rate, hold fast to. or feed in. Trees should usually be planted about two inches deeper than they grew.
 Be sure that the surface soil is hoarded at one side when the hole is dug. This soil is mellow and full of plant food. -
 Take up as large a root system as digging, the roots of trees are often broken and the bark at the ends is often torn off Before planting, all such roots should be cut back. 1T1al<- ing clean wounds that will heal read fly. The. more roots on a tree the bet ter, for at best a transplanted tree re- tains only a small fraction of it's root.
 Trees should not be allowed to lie out in the sun and wind before plant ing The roots should never be al- lowed to dry more than is necessary. If the roots are coated with clay, they should be dipped in water before planting.
 The most important point in plant ing tree is frTning the soil around the. roots. Sift rich earth. free from cIods, among the roots. Hold the tree erect and firm: lift it a little to make sure the spaces are well filled under meath. Pack the soil down well with the feet The last four inches of soil should be left loose to absorb the rain and act as mulch.
 Prune the tops of the tree to few main branches and shorten these. The tree will soon be larger if this is done. It is well to remember that roots can quickly grow top but that top can never take the place of roots. If too much top is left, the leaves will dry the tree to death.
 By transplanting the. tree early in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground and before the sap begins to flow. the tree is assured of the advantage of all the early spring rains and suffers a much less severe shock than when it is transplanted after the sap begins to flow.
 Too often Is the interest in trees in the observance of ArCor Day-lin- ited to planting tree and then for getting all about 1t. It is more inn portant to preserve and develop a tree that is in place than to plant a new one.
 Water the tree frequently as it first starts. A thoroughly soaking of all the roots, not mere sprinkling of the surface soil. is needed.
 Keep the surface soil free from the cakes or cracks. This prevents exces- SiVe evaporation. Do not stir the soil deep enough to disturb the roots.