16 ARBOR DAY ITS HISTORY AND OBSERVANCE. 



The Hon. Henry E. Corbett, State superintendent of public instruc- 

 tion, says: 



The effect of Arbor Day it will be impossible to estimate in figures or statistics. It 

 has resulted in stimulating a pride in the resources of Nebraska and a sentiment in 

 favor of extending and preserving our forest areas. It is observed and talked about 

 in every school room, and through its influence millions of trees have been planted 

 and cared for annually throughout the State. 



To these testimonies may be added the following recent statement of 

 the Hon. R. W. Furnas, who, as governor of Nebraska, issued the first 

 Arbor Day proclamation and who has watched with interest the prog- 

 ress and results of the day's observance ever since: 



No observance ever sprang into existence so rapidly, favorably, permanently, and 

 now so near universally throughout the whole civilized world as that of "Arbor Day." 

 It originated less than a quarter of a century since, and has been adopted, in some 

 form or other, in all the States and Territories of this Union, and in nearly all for- 

 eign civilized countries, increasing in popularity wherever known. 



The words "Arbor Day" are attractive to the eye to read in print and to meditate; 

 they are rytljmical to utter and to the ear. The word "Arbor" carries with it most 

 pleasant remembrances to the young and promise to the older "a bower, a seat 

 shaded by trees." What more enticing and enchanting to refined aesthetic taste 

 and mind than such retreat, such rest, shelter, protection? This characteristic alone 

 makes it worthy of a permanent place in our civilization. 



Its economic worth, because of its usefulness among all classes of people, com- 

 mends it with equal force. 



Its origin was prompted by a desire to ward oft' the rigorous winds of northwestern 

 prairies, and to supply fuel as well. Its accomplishments in this respect are already 

 beyond pecuniary computation. Through the instrumentality of its observance in 

 Nebraska many thousands of acres hitherto bleak, worthless, undesirable prairie 

 lands have been clad with millions of trees, thus converting them into valued forest 

 groves, fruitful orchards, prosperous homes, with happy people as occupants. A 

 great commonwealth has been built on the foundation "Arbor Day," and within the 

 recollection of those who participated in "laying the corner stone." 



The influence of tree planting on the western prairies, influencing climate con- 

 ditions for good, is found to be next to incalculable retaining moisture and breaking 

 the force of sweeping winds. Growing out of this climatic revolution is the greater 

 result of increased crop products. 



Records show the number of trees planted in Nebraska since the inauguration of 

 "Arbor Day" running into billions. Instances are also of record, where the earlier 

 planted and more rapid growing varieties of trees which were used have been 

 already converted into sawed lumber, of which residences and other buildings have 

 been constructed. 



It has been deemed proper to present in this extended manner an 

 account of the inauguration, establishment, and progress of the Arbor 

 Day institution in Nebraska as an illustration not only of what the 

 observance of the day has effected in a particular State, but of what it 

 is effecting in many other States and may be expected to do wherever 

 it is established. 



To show that similar results have followed the introduction of Arbor 

 Day in other States, it will be enough to cite briefly the testimony of a 

 few superintendents of public instruction, persons who possess the best 

 means of information upon the subject. 



