ARBOR DAY ITS HISTORY AND OBSERVANCE. 17 



Superintendent Sabin, of Iowa, well known for the great interest he 

 has taken in the proper observance of Arbor Day, says : 



Arbor Day has been regularly observed in Iowa since it was instituted in 1887. It 

 is the custom of this department to issue an Arbor Da.y annual for free distribution. 

 Special care is taken that one reaches every school in the State. 



Although there is no legal requirement, the day is very generally observed by the 

 schools, and in many cases by citizens. It is proper +o say here that our school law 

 requires every board of directors to set out and properly care for at least twelve 

 shade trees on each school grounds not already provided with suitable shade. 



The influence of such an observance is very excellent, although, as in other good 

 work, perseverance is necessary to success. We intend to continue the custom from 

 year to year. 



The superintendent of public instruction in Wyoming says: 



The day is observed by the planting of trees and appropriate exercises in each 

 department of our schools. 



A great degree of interest is manifested by the children and people generally and 

 seems to be increasing. Pupils look forward with great pleasure to the planting and 

 naming of their trees. In a great many schools each child contributes toward the 

 buying of a tree, and in after years watches its growth very carefully. 



Particular interest, I think, is shown in this day in Wyoming for the reason that 

 we have so few native trees and it requires so much care to cultivate them. 



E. B. Prettyrnan, secretary of the Maryland board of education, says: 



The day is observed universally by the public schools of the State. Great interest 

 is manifested, which 1 believe to be increasing. I believe the effect of the observ- 

 ance of Arbor Day is very beneficial in cultivating a love for trees and for the 

 adornment not only of school lots with trees, vines, and flowers, but that this culti- 

 vation extends to the families and homes represented in the schools. 



Hon. J. M. Carlisle, superintendent of public instruction in Texas, 

 says: 



Washington's birthday, February 22, is observed in this State as Arbor Day. It is 

 observed as a holiday, and is devoted to the planting of trees, shrubs, flowers, and 

 the general ornamentation of public buildings and grounds. The patriotic exercises 

 appropriate to Washington's birthday blend beautifully with the observance of 

 Arbor Day. 



The effect of the observance of the day is wholesome. Interest in the study of 

 trees, shrubs, and flowers is stimulated, appreciation of the wonders and beauties 

 of nature is heightened, and the sentiment in favor of both physical and moral clean- 

 liness is greatly strengthened, while patriotic feelings are aroused and the people 

 are drawn together by the contemplation of so many great themes in which all have 

 a common interest. 



The superintendent of public instruction in North Dakota says: 



The degree of interest in the observance of the day is increasing, and the effect 

 upon pupils of the schools and the public generally is gratifying in the same degree 

 which marks the increasing observance of the day. 



Hon. A. B. Poland, State superintendent of public instruction in 

 New Jersey, says: 



Ever since the adoption of the act for the observance of Arbor Day (1884) the 

 observance has been universal throughout the State, and, in general, eminently sat- 

 isfactory. I am of the opinion that, after eleven years' experience, the interest taken 

 in the observance of Arbor Day has in no respect diminished. This would be a 

 remarkable phenomenon were it not that the end subserved were generally recog- 

 nized to be a useful one. 

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