No. 4.] HIGHWAYS. 235 



warden has authority to trim them ; but no person, tree war- 

 den or otherwise, has any authority to cut them without a 

 public hearing, notice of which is to be given by posting in 

 two or more public places in the town and upon the tree 

 itself, and after authority granted by the tree warden. 



Aebor Day. 

 An interesting enactment made in 1886 may here properly 

 be mentioned in connection with the subject of trees. I 

 refer to the Arbor Day act, so called, which provides that 

 the Governor may annually issue a proclamation, setting 

 apart the last Saturday in April as Arbor Day, and recom- 

 mending, among other things, that it be observed in the 

 planting of trees, shrubs and vines for the adornment of the 

 public grounds, places and ways, in such other efforts and 

 undertakings as shall be in harmony with the general charac- 

 ter of such a day. This effort to promote the beautifying 

 of the highways by planting of shade trees has not received 

 the recognition and attention that it deserves. There is 

 need of creating a public sentiment which will lead to a 

 general observation of the duties of this day by the owners 

 of property upon streets and roads. There is no better in- 

 vestment for inhabitants of a town than well-shaded avenues 

 for travel. Roadside trees are no inconsiderable element in 

 the preservation of a roadway. It is true that they some- 

 what delay the settling of country roads in the spring, but 

 when the towns learn better methods of constructing roads, 

 this objection will be obviated. A well-shaded road makes 

 the work of the heavily laden team easier, and greatly en- 

 hances the delight of the man who is travelling for i)leasm'e. 

 A town whose streets are to an exceptional extent lined with 

 shade trees, well tended and cared for, is sure to secure many 

 summer visitors, and some permanent residents, who are 

 attracted by this very inexpensive but beautiful feature of 

 country life. If every land owner in any town of this Com- 

 monwealth could be induced to set out and maintain trees 

 along his whole frontage, that town in fifteen years would be 

 a place of exceptional interest, and would find such tree cul- 

 ture the very best investment it could possibly make. Why 



