1 9 oo. AMERICAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 87 



Pennsylvania's Interest in Forestry. 



The active efforts of the Pennsylvania State Forest Commission for the preserva- 

 tion and restoration of forests on the watersheds of the State have made a most fa- 

 vorable impression on the general public, so that the following proclamation of 

 Governor Stone, appointing "Arbor Days," has been received with universal in- 

 terest and approbation : 



In the name and by authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Execu- 

 tive Department. 



Proclamation. 



It is my pleasant duty to again call the attention of the citizens of this Common- 

 wealth to the time-honored custom of systematically planting trees and shrubs and 

 thus in a measure repairing the injury caused by a too rapid destruction of our for- 

 ests. The inestimable benefits of this custom are evidenced not only by the increas- 

 ing beauty of our parks and avenues, but by the interest which our people are taking 

 in the necessity and benefits of larger wooded areas. Through the efforts of scientific 

 wood culture, young forests are springing up in different parts of the State, and it 

 will not be long before an appreciable change will be noticed in the flow of the 

 waters of our State. 



Especially should Arbor Day be observed in view of the fact that the State, in 

 compliance with several Acts of Assembly creating forest reserves, is now purchas- 

 ing forest lands. This has greatly increased the market value of similar wooded 

 tracts, and a larger revenue should come to the counties from taxes levied upon 



O A 



them. The results in other countries show that there will soon be a considerable 

 revenue to the State from the sale of merchantable timber taken from its reserves, 

 but the immediate benefit is to the people, who will have the right to go upon these 

 lands for fishing, hunting, outing and camping without feeling themselves liable as 

 trespassers. Our cities have their parks maintained at great expense. These forest 

 reserves will be the people's parks, free to all who comply with the laws for their 

 preservation. In calling the attention of those observing Arbor Day to the pur- 

 chase of forest lands by the State, it is with the hope that the action of the State 

 officials in putting in force the laws creating forest reserves may meet with public 

 approval and that the sentiment favorable thereto may be strengthened. 



In order that our citizens, both young and old, may continue to contribute their 

 share in this great movement 



o 



I, William A. Stone, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in ac- 

 cordance with law, do hereby designate and proclaim Friday, the Sixth day of 

 April, and Friday, the Twentieth day of April, A. D. 1900, to be observed as 

 Arbor Days throughout the Commonwealth. 



Two days are set apart for the observance of Arbor Day. Inasmuch as the cli- 

 matic conditions may render one of these days more favorable for the purpose in- 

 tended than the other, the selection is left with the citizens of the various sections of 

 the Commonwealth. 



Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State at the City of Harrisburg, 

 this Ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred, and of 

 the Commonwealth the one hundred and twenty-fourth. 



WILLIAM A. STONE. 



Bv the Governor 

 W. W. GRIEST, 



Secretary of the Commonwealth. 



