64 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



some of it at least in the improvement of your woodlands. The 

 investment will be safer than an}^ Kansas farm mortgage, because it 

 will continually enhance the value of your farms. 



ARBOR DAY. 



The ornamentation of piivate grounds, public parks, and high- 

 ways is gaining favor in all parts of the country. There are many 

 localities that to a large degree are enjoying from artificial planting 

 all the benefits imparted by the forests. The extreme^ of heat and 

 cold, moisture and dryness are all modified by the silent influence 

 of the beautiful shade trees that adorn our homes and streets. 



The idea of an Arbor Day in America had its origin in Nebraska. 

 The intent was to plant not only shade trees but trees for forests as 

 well. The Nebraska State Board of Agriculture realizing the need 

 of persistent effort to develop in the State a forest area that would 

 protect its population from all the calamities incident to large tree- 

 less areas, passed a resolution in January, 1874, that the second 

 Wednesday of April of each year be dedicated to the work of plant- 

 ing trees. The report goes on to say that the resolution was well 

 received by the population ot the State, and during that year more 

 than 12,000,000 trees were planted, and that there are now no less 

 than 100,000 acres of planted forests in the State. 



Other Western States followed the example of Nebraska, and 

 later in the same 3'ear the State Horticultural Society of the State of 

 Iowa adopted an Arbor Day. In 1876, the Governor of Michigan 

 proclaimed an Arbor Day. In Minnesota the State Forestry Asso- 

 ciation proclaimed Arbor Day, and the same year it is said a million 

 and a half trees were planted. The Legislature of Ohio established 

 Arbor Day in 1882. The State of West Virginia under the lead of 

 its efflcient State Superintendent of Public Schools largely observed 

 the day in 1883. In these States the legislatures approved the adop- 

 tion of Arbor Day shortly after its first observance. New Jersey 

 and other States through their respective legislatures adopted Arbor 

 Day, and when not otherwise designated the Governor by proclama- 

 tion fixed upon the day. Here in Maine our last legislature adopted 

 Arbor Day. It was quietly observed by several schools, some other 

 bodies and here and there by private individuals. 



The scope of the day has recently been widened, and the interest 

 in it very much increased by engaging the pupils of the public schools 

 in its observance. The chief of the Forestry Division of the Agri- 



