Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-17
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF
ARBOR DAY
7 UNUSUAL interest attaches to
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Arbor day this year through
out the nation because it is the
fiftieth anniversary of the first
Arbor day. Great Falls people
have more than a passive interest
in Arbor day at any time, because
it is day set aside for the planting
Of trees, and Great Falls has risen
upon a trecless plain to become the
city of the finest parks and the
finest tree-shaded streets in the
whole northwest. Additional inter
est attaches to the day this year IN
Montana because it will come as
the climax of forest protection
week." which is to be devoted to a;
campaign of educating citizens IN
forest protection, in an effort to re-
duce the loss from forest fires,
many of which result from care
lessness. The following interest
ing information from the United
States department Of agriculture
tells Of the wonderful achievements
which have followed the establish
ment Of Arbor day in every state
in the union:
The golden anniversary Of Arbor
day, established 50 years ago IN
'treeless Nebraska" will be cele-
brated throughout the United
States, April 22, the final day of
forest protection week" Each
state heretofore has set its own
date for holding tree-planting ex-
ercises. This year, however, being
notable anniversary Of the Gus
tom started in Nebraska, President
Harding. by proclamation, has
asked all the states to observe the
occasion on the day celebrated by
the pioneer state where the idea
originated.
The first Arbor day was eele-
brated in Nebraska in 1872 at the
prompting Of J. Sterling Morton,
one-time secretary Of agriculture.
At first the date was April 10. but
later the legislature changed 1t to
April %, Mr.. Morton's birthday.
More than a million trees were
planted in the state on the first
Arbor day, and since then the idea
has spread to practically the whole
country. Nearly billion trees
have been planted in Nebraska
since that day. In the sand hills
region of the state the forest serv-
ice today has under way the great
est tree-planting project ever un-
dertaken in this country. Some
5000 acres of treeless grass land
in the sand hills have already been
successfully reforested to pine by
artificial planting.
Kansas and Tennessee followed
the lead of Nebraska in 1875, and
the next year Minnesota fell into
line. In Kansas the same condi.
tions as in Nebraska made the plan
of immediate economic importance
in Minnesota the white pine forests
were being destroyed with alarm
ing rapidity with no provision fol
replacing them. After 1876 there
was for some years check in the
spread of the Arbor day idea, ane
il was not until 1882 that two
more states began to celebrate ths
day-North Dakota and Ohio.
Before 1882, efforts to extend
the celebration Of Arbor day hae
been made through agricultural as
sociations and town authorities
The first observance of the day II
Ohio, which was held during thu
sessions Of a national forestry con
vention in Cincinnati, took an en-
tirely new form at the suggestion
Of Warren Higley, president OF tn
Ohio forestry commission. Unde
the direction of Superintendent o
Schools John B. Peaslee the schoo
children of the city had promi
nent part in the celebration, whicl
included a public parade throug
the streets to Eden park, wher
trees were planted in memory Q
distinguished men.
About 10000 children partici
pated in the singing and recitin
and in putting soil about the trees
which had already been set ]
place. Two new elements were II
troduced in the Arbor day plan Q
this occasion, the day was made
school festival and the practice {
planting memorial trees and grove
was started. This became know
as "the Cincinnati plan" and wa
largely responsible for the exter
sion Of Arbor day over the rest {