156 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



tract. Most planting, however, at present, is done by individuals for indi- 

 vidual use, and when done by one's own labor and teams, the cost is much 

 less, at least the outlay. 



EKCOURAGIXG ENACTMENTS AND PROVISIONS. 



The Nebraska State constitution provides that "the increased value of 

 lands, by reason of live fences, fruit and forest trees grown and cultivated 

 thereon, shall not be taken into consideration in the assessment thereof." A 

 8tate law "exempts from taxation for five years, $100 valuation for each acre 

 of fruit trees planted, and $50 for each acre forest trees." Also makes it ob- 

 ligatory that " the corporate authorities of cities and villages in the State 

 shall cause shade trees to be planted along the streets thereof." Further, 

 "any person who shall injure or destroy the shade tree, or trees, of another, 

 or permit his or her animals to do the sanie, shall be liable to a fine not less 

 than .fo nor more than $50 for each tree injured or destroyed." To encour- 

 age growing live fences, the law permits planting "precisely on the line of 

 the road or highway, and, for its protection, to ccupy, for a term of seven 

 years, six feet of the the road or highway." 



ARBOR DAY* 



Originated in Nebraska through the action of the State Board of Agriculture. 

 It is a day designated by the Board, during planting season, each s^Dring, usu- 

 ally about the middle of April. The Board annually award liberal premi- 

 ums for greatest number of trees, cuttings and seeds permanently planted 

 on that day. The Governor annually, by proclamation, recognizes the day 

 for the puposes indicated, urging the people to devote it exclusively to tree 

 l)lanting. It is very generally observed, and millions of trees planted that 

 day. 



MODES OF planting; and TREATMENT. ■ 



The usual distances apart are by multiples, 4-8-12-16, etc., that interme- 

 diate ground may be utilized, by being cultivated in other crops until trees 

 are sufficient size to jn'otect themselves, when, in farm parlance, they are 

 permitted to "take the ground." 



Most experimenters at first planted tree seeds where they were to remain 

 permanently. Experience has shown this a mistake, for numerous reasons. 

 Principally, by this mode, uneven stand, growth, grade, size and vigor are to 

 contend with. By planting seeds, first in beds, and say, at one year's growth, 

 assorting, grading and transplanting permanently, each grade to itself, better 

 results are secured. Same grades as to size and vigor do better together; 

 grow more evenly ; the weak are not crowded out or overshadowed by the 

 stronger — ^a practical illustration of " survival of the fittest." 



■•'Hon. J. Sterling Morton was the originator of " Arbor Day," not only in Nebraska, but in 

 the United States. It originated by the introduction by him of a resolution adopted by the 

 Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, since which many other States have adopted it, as well 

 as foreign countries. 



