32 ARBOR DAY. 



idea of setting apart each spring a certain day for tree 

 planting. The first proclamation for the observance of 

 such a day was made by the governor of Nebraska, at his 

 suggestion ; and the next year " Arbor Day " was legally 

 established by act of legislature. It at once struck a 

 popular chord and wonderfully stimulated tree planting. 

 Kansas followed in the wake of her younger sister, and 

 for a decade has kept even pace, and perhaps outstripped 

 her in the good work. Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and 

 several of the New England and some of the extreme 

 southern states soon fell into line ; and now in the year of 

 grace, 1888, Illinois will, by proclamation of the gover- 

 nor, do what she should have done many years ago 

 observe her first official Arbor Day. 



EXTENSION OF ARBOR DAY. The first thought of the 

 originators of this work was its economic importance, but 

 the subject grew on their hands, and planting about the 

 house, in school and church yards and cemeteries, and 

 along the roadsides soon followed, and in our state this 

 branch of the work promises to be the most popular on 

 the approaching Arbor Day. Every town and village of 

 any pretensions in the state should have a public park in 

 which should be planted one or more specimens of all our 

 native trees, both deciduous and evergreen. While it is a 

 pleasure to know that many of our enterprising towns 

 have such parks, which are exceedingly creditable to their 



