ARBOR DAY 



Arbor Day offers an opportunity for a community . program of in- 

 terest to the parents and citizens as well as to the children, for the 

 welfare of this state is dependent to a large extent upon the welfare 

 of its forest and orchard trees. 



In the timbered parts of the state, the question of forest fire pre- 

 vention should be taken up at some length, with possibly a talk by a 

 ranger or fire warden. The best methods of clearing logged-off lands 

 and reforestation are topics sufficiently allied to be appropriate. Other 

 subjects will suggest themselves to a teacher who is awake to local 

 conditions. 



In the fruit growing localities, a lecture by a horticultural expert, 

 or by a plant pathologist on the insect and fungus foes of the fruit 

 trees, would prove attractive. 



In any case, the pupils should be impressed with the economic 

 value of the state's arboreal resources, the annual export of the tree 

 fruit products being valued at approximately $9,000,000 and the annual 

 cut of timber at $43,000,000. They should be made to feel that, while 

 timber grows for our use, its destruction by fire is nothing short of 

 criminal. A plant disease affecting the fruit trees and vegetables 

 should be regarded as dangerous and abhorrent as a plague affecting 

 our human citizens. If its nature and treatment are unknown, it 

 should be reported to the district horticulturist, to the State College 

 at Pullman, the University of Washington, or to one of the state ex- 

 periment stations. 



A movement has recently been started to plant fruit and nut 

 trees by the roadside. This might find favor in your community. It 

 need not be started on a large scale, nor need it be expensive. After 

 planting, the chief requisite would be a little consistent care possibly 

 on the part of the older pupils. The value of such a movement is 

 shown by the fact that Belgium, as long ago as 1898, picked $200,000 

 worth of fruit from trees planted along the roadsides. 



The improvement of the school grounds is always of interest to 

 the community, although the matter is in charge of the school directors 

 and their authority should be considered. The beauty of the school 

 environment is of great importance in developing of the aesthetic 

 taste of pupils. If the school yard is well arranged and cared for, they 

 will be ill-contented to return to slovenly home door yards. Some of 

 the community eyesores may in this way be cleaned up. 



As Arbor Day is also Bird Day, occasion should be taken to 

 arouse an interest in bird study which will continue during the 

 school year. Not only should the student appreciate the birds because 



