farmers' institutes. 665 



This board was not intended as a board of education. Neither the 

 government nor the State tal^es any part in the education^ of foresters. 

 Elementary instniction in foi'estry has, however, received noteworthy 

 recognition in tlie State Agricultural and other schools of the couuti-y; 

 more than twenty now offer instruction in forestry, and it will be but a 

 short time when forestry will be taught in every agricultural school in 

 the United States. 



One of the most important agencies of education is the observance of 

 "Arbor Day." "Arbor Day" has made its way from State to State until 

 provision for its oliservance has been made in almost every State in the 

 Union. Indiana, hoAvever, seems to have forgotten it, as I find no pro- 

 vision in our State laws for its observance, which possibly is on account 

 of the heretofore seemingly inexhaustible supply of timber. 



The central idea of "Arbor Day" is the planting of trees by school 

 childi'en on dates fixed by proclamation of the Governors of the various 

 States. The planting is usually accompanied by appropriate exercises 

 calculated to impress upon the children lessons from the trees, and to 

 encourage care and preservation for shade and forests. While the plant- 

 ing may have in itself little economic value, the institution of the day 

 may exercise respect for trees in the coming generation, and build a 

 sentiment which will finally bring about a general practice of conserva- 

 tive forestry. 



I would urge that our educational authorities encourage such an ob- 

 servance as will impress upon the youth of Indiana the benefits of tree 

 planting from an economic, as well as an aesthetic point of view. 



No special program need be suggested. Each County Superintendent 

 should prepare one and publish it in the local papers. The local press is 

 a gi-eat educational force, always ready, and more than willing to aid. 



It should be used more systematically and continuously than it is. 



In addition to "Arbor Day" every farmer in the State should beautify 

 his possessions with trees of our native liind. In and around the out- 

 lot, along the lane and roadside should be cherished the oak, walnut, 

 ash, maple and other native timber most hardy and beautiful. And as 

 the few "red men" of today are but relics preserved of the once numerous 

 thousands that roamed the land at will, so are the native trees remain- 

 ing but scanty relics of the ancient forests. 



