148 



much in other West Indian Colonies successfully to popularise tree- 

 planting for aesthetic, economic, and memorial purposes. He holds 

 that the systematic planting of ornamental and shade trees under 

 suitable auspices would greaily tend to advance the social and public 

 interests of the West Indian colonies. It would instil, he says into 

 the minds of the rising generation the almost sacred duty of trying^ 

 to leave the world a little better than they find it. It would fa- 

 miliarise them with the needs and requirements of plant life and in- 

 fuse a spirit of regard and affection for trees, and check the almost 

 univtrsal desire, now existing, to cut down and destroy, rather 

 than cherish, what might bfcome useful and ornamental. He 

 further adds that the systematic care and attention to detail called 

 forth by the planting and nurture of even one tree and watching its 

 growth and development could not fail to have a formative effect on 

 character, and would have a high education value in cultivating the 

 love of Nature and the observation and interpretation of her wonder- 

 ful laws. 



No doubt there will be some tree-planting by Sir Augustus Hem- 

 ming on ^iay 24th, net only because he leaves the island so soon there- 

 after, but also as a memorial of the time he has spent here and his de- 

 sire to foster the imperial spirit which Empire Day embodies. The 

 Training Colleges have a part to do as leaders of the schools and as 

 centres from which young men and women go out who are to carry the 

 loyal spirit into the locality in which they are afterwards to labour. 

 Where there f^re two or three schools, as in Brown's Town, a united 

 procession and celebration would add much to the interest and the 

 profitableness of the day. There is not only the school yard to beau- 

 tify, there is the plot of land around the school manager's house and 

 the teacher's cottage where there is one to provide for, and there are 

 spots in every town where ornamental and shade trees might be placed, 

 whether in public or private grounds, that would please the 03-0 and 

 promote health, if the needful protection can be secured. The recent 

 death of the teacher of Meainsville school, Westmoreland, called forth 

 a general expression of regret in the locality that showed how highly 

 he had been esteemed. In such a case a memorial tree, planted by 

 the school children would do them good, and would be kindly cared 

 for. We mention the case as a sample of what might be done in many 

 places with much advantage. In framing a programme for a tree- 

 planting day there is the whole of the poetry of thought feeling, life, 

 action to draw from — the poetry of Nature in her many moods. If 

 managers and teachers do their part well, the schools will hail the day 

 with pleasure and keep the anniversary with enthusiasm. 



12)"" 

 By W. Fawcett, Editor of the Bulletin. 

 Almost* every English-speaking country now celebrates an Arbor 

 Day — a general holiday specially devoted to the purpose of planting 

 trees. 



The custom arose in the plains of Nebraska where the general ab- 

 sence of trees was a powerful factor in inducing the people to accept 

 the suggestion of an annual holiday for the observance of an Arbor 



* Reprinted from the « Gleaner," 21st May, 1904 



