STATE OF WASHINGTON 



EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 



OLYMPIA 



A Proclamation ~by the Governor: 



Awakening Nature once more gives gladness to the hearts 

 of men. The season of buds and flowers and feathered songsters 

 is again at hand. 



It has long been the custom, in the Spring of the year, to 

 devote special attention, on at least one day, to the planting of 

 trees and shrubbery and to the beautifying of grounds and land- 

 scapes. More recently the ruthless slaughter of song birds has 

 brought realization that, without them the world would, indeed, 

 be a dreary place; more than that, it has been demonstrated 

 that the commercial loss through the depredations of insects 

 which birds ordinarily destroy, has been very great. 



The planting of trees and shrubbery and the protection and 

 propagation of bird life, go hand-in-hand. They are activities in 

 which old and young can participate and in which school children 

 can render much assistance. It is most fitting that a day should 

 be fixed for special undertakings along this line. 



Now, Therefore, I, ERNEST LISTER, Governor of the State of 

 Washington, by virtue of the authority in me vested by law, and 

 in keeping with established custom and practice, do hereby pro- 

 claim and designate Friday, April 13th, 1917, in the State of 

 Washington, as 



ARBOR AND BIRD DAY 



And I earnestly Urge and Recommend that on that day, ap- 

 propriate programs be carried out in the schools of the State; 

 that the planting of trees and shrubbery, the cleaning up and 

 beautifying of grounds and premises, the erection of bird houses, 

 the dissemination of information regarding the care and cultiva- 

 tion of trees, plants and shrubbery and the habits of birds, be 

 given particular attention. For as the physical surroundings 

 and environments of our citizens are beautified and made more 

 attractive, so will the standard of citizenship be broadened and 



strengthened. 



In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set 

 my hand and caused the Seal of the State to be 

 affixed at Olympia, this 19th day of March, A. D., 

 [SEAL.] 1917. 



Original Signed bv 



BY THE GOVERNOR: 

 Original Signed by Governor of Washington. 



I. M. HOWELL, 



Secretary of State. 



