68 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



two and decorate it with such wreaths and flowers as may be had. 

 Should there be nothing more than this the exercise would be a good 

 one, but there may be added to it readings about trees and flowers, 

 some of the older ones may write something about the care of trees 

 or the teacher may tell the pupils many interesting facts about trees, 

 or there may be some one whom the teacher may call in to assist in 

 making the exercises more interesting. Let this kind of tree plant- 

 ing be done year after year by our schools and our boys and girls 

 would learn to love the old school-houses and grounds, as you and 

 I, Mr. President, never dreamed of in our boyhood. It would not 

 be many years till these "waste places," as some one calls them, 

 would be the most cheerful spots in all the land. 



OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD OBSERVE THE DAY. 



The State Grange was one of the first organizations to urge the 

 adoption of Arbor Day by the Legislature. Many of the granges 

 in the State own halls of their own, some of which the enterprising 

 patrons have already surrounded by trees. We have no doubt 

 of their interest in Arbor Day, and their readiness either to observe 

 it themselves or unite with others in doing it. 



The churches have grounds, many of which are treeless ; the 

 cemeteries also call for our fostering care, and in no way can more 

 enduring tributes be paid to the memory of the dead than b}' adorn- 

 ing their resting places with trees. 



Village improvement societies may find in Arbor Day an oppor- 

 tunity of doing much to perpetuate the memory of their good works 

 for years to come There may be still another organization of which 

 we will not speak, feeling all the while that a general observance of 

 Arbor Day in Maine would pay its people well for their time and 

 labor. 



INDIVIDUAL OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY. 



But, before closing I should be guilty of omission if I failed to 

 call your attention to the importance of appropriately observing the 

 day as individuals. I have tried to make it appear the duty and 

 privilege of numerous organizations to observe the day in a public 

 manner, and I now respectfully urge that every man who owns a 

 home should observe Arbor Day year by year, till our homes are 

 surrounded by trees and shrubs for ornament, shade and profit. 

 When our excellent chief magistrate appoints the day let us be ready 



