PREFACE 



During the last few years there has been a remarkable 

 growth of interest in the planting of trees for ornament and 

 shade. In an editorial of February 10, 1909, the Savannah 

 News remarked: "The increasing interest in shade-trees 

 in practically all of the cities of the country is worthy of 

 more than a passing notice. This interest seems to be 

 keeping abreast of the sanitary reforms that are being in- 

 augurated. While it isn't stated that there is a connection 

 between tree-planting and hygienic reforms, there is no 

 doubt that shade-trees contribute to the healthfulness of a 



city The shade-trees have a restful effect, because 



making homes more attractive. That which tends to give 

 rest and pleasure must also contribute to healthfulness. ' ' 



The awakening of interest in tree-planting has been fol- 

 lowed by the development of the movement for shade-tree 

 departments in towns and cities. The Shade-Tree Com- 

 mission of East Orange, N. J., organized in the spring of 

 1904, was the third in the State. There are now thirty-one 

 towns and cities in New Jersey that have such departments. 

 The work of the Shade-Tree Commissions, of Newark and 

 East Orange especially, has proved very successful, and 

 during the last few years there have come to these depart- 

 ments hundreds of requests from different parts of the 

 country for information regarding methods of work and 

 forms of organization. The cities of New Jersey may have 

 inspired others. In 1907, Pennsylvania passed a shade-tree 



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