BY proclamation of the Governor, April 23d has been set 

 aside as Arbor Day for Minnesota this year. 



This day has also been designated as Bird Day. There 

 is every reason why this should be so. The interdependence 

 of the woods and bird life is vital. Without birds, the forest 

 would soon fall a victim to insect hordes. Without woodlands 

 and shelter, our bird neighbors could not exist. Not only is 

 the forest dependent upon bird life, but the farmer's crop is 

 likewise dependent. The myriad of insects which are de- 

 structive to agriculture are held in check principally through 

 the warfare waged upon them by our feathered friends. The 

 farmer is therefore wise who retains or establishes groves 

 and shelter-belts of trees, not only for their protective value 

 to his crops and stock, but also to attract and harbor in the 

 vicinity of his fields a population of insect-eating bird life. 



Althongh the following manual treats only upon the selec- 

 tion of trees and their planting, do not overlook the connec- 

 tion between tree growth and bird life. 



Manual of Tree Planting for Arbor Day. 

 The value and interest of any lesson is very greatly in- 

 creased if the results of it are visible and creditable. The 

 planting of trees on Arbor Day is a lesson. The interest in it 

 should be keener than it has been in past years. Possibly 

 this lack of interest can be partly attributed to the fact that 

 most of the trees planted in former years are now unsightly, 

 of a poor species or more probably dead. Or possibly a goose- 

 berry bush was planted because the school board failed to 

 supply a tree. Select a good tree, plant it well, take care of 

 it carefully and each class will be stimulated to interest and 

 emulation by the monuments left by its predecessors. 



