24 ARBOR DAY. 



in the prairie states the trees actually planted may form 

 quite an important item, it is mainly the spirit which arises 

 from a communion of ideas that is to be fostered by the 

 Arbor Day, the spirit of improvement. 



While thus we still believe in the shortcomings of our 

 own generation, instead of bewailing the loss of the good 

 old times we look forward to a better coming time, and 

 are thus actively preparing the way for it. 



ARBOR DAY IN NEBRASKA. 



BY DB. C. E. BESSEY, DEAN OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL 

 COLLEGE, LINCOLX, NEB. 



Nebraska has the honor of having originated Arbor 

 Day. Hon. J. Sterling Morton suggested the name and 

 the day to the State Board of Agriculture, and it was at 

 once adopted. Soon after, it was set apart by Jaw as a day 

 for the annual planting of trees, the 22d of April being 

 designated. The day is very generally observed ; banks 

 are closed and much of public business is suspended. The 

 schools have a holiday, and the pupils, under the guidance 

 of their teachers, attend to the planting of trees on the 

 school grounds or elsewhere. In many cases special pro- 

 grammes are provided, the pupils reciting poems, decla- 

 mations, engaging in singing, etc., etc., in order to more 

 perfectly celebrate the day. In the higher institutions of 



