The Coconino sun., 1920-02-06
A PROCLAMATION OF ARBOR
 DAY BY THE GOVERNOR

Arizona, recognizing the value and benefits of the custom inaugurated by the state of Nebraska shortly after the civil war, has decreed the observ- ance of Arbor Day and imposed upon the governor the duty of setting aside two days Gone for the southern and the other for the northern cQunties) on which appropriate exercises shall accompany the planting of trees, vines, shrubbery and flowers by the pupils of public and private schools.
 In the pursuit of knowledge there is tendency to devote our time to those subjects calculated to equip us mentally for earning capacity, forget ting that cultivation of the esthetic is esential to things in life not measured by the standard of dollars and cents. Love of nature is inherent in every human being, but if not educated or lead out, it becomes dormant and atrophied Nature cannot speak her varied language to those who have ears to hear and will not listen and eyes to see and will not look. To such a child or man there is no music of the spheres, no melody in the winds soughing through the pines. For him the birds do not chant song of praise; there is no glory in the sun rise or lesson of life in the sunset; the desert is merely barren waste and the Grand Canyon is simply a gigan- tic hole in the earth, instead of an awe inspiring colorful creation of the Master Painter and Architect. Nature has been prodigal with her gifts, out with our eyes to the ground instead of lifted upward to the everlasting hills, and the skies which declare the glory of their Maker, we miss the beautiful visions which have been cre- ated not alone for our mental delecta- tion, but for the purification of our souls.
 It is therefore vital that our schools recognize the importance and neces- sity of impressing upon the plastic minds of our children that through an understanding of nature they are bet ter able to comprehend what is good and really worth while, and become attuned to the Infinite, Arbor Day therefore has more than utilitarian significance and it is meet and proper that these deeper lessons should be diligently pursued.
 Now, therefore, l, Thomas K. Camp bell, governor of Arizona, by virtue of the authority vested in me, and in conformity with the provisions of paragraphs 2s37-2840, chapter xxx of the revised statutes of Arizona, do hereby designate Friday and set apart Friday, the 9th day of February, 1920, as Arbor Day, to be observed in the counties of Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma; and similar ly I hereby designate and set apart Friday, the End day of April, 1920, as Arbor Day, for due observance in the counties of Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Mohave and Yavapai.
 And l also recommend that observ- ance of these occasions be not con- fined to the schools of the common wealth, but that those of older years pause from their labors and with civic pride as their actuating motive, aid in beautifying the several communities in which they live.
 In witness whereof, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arizona to be affixed.
 Done at Phoenix, the capital, this, the 30th day of January, 1920.
 THOMAS E. CAMPBELL, (Great Seal of) Governor of Arizona. (the State of Arizona)
 Attest-MIT. .SIMMS,
 Secretary of State.
 By R. E. McGILLEN,
 Assistant Secretary.