ARBOR DAY. 51 



Twenty-one separate and distinct premiums were offered, 

 ranging from $5.00 to $35.00, and the list of premiums 

 was published in most of the newspapers of the state. 

 Hundreds of persons indicated their intention of compet- 

 ing for the premiums, but the 20th of April turned out to 

 be peculiarly stormy in the eastern part of the state, with 

 low temperature and snow in the western portions, with 

 the result that few were able, even if willing, to meet 

 the requirements of the list. 



With this experience the Arbor Day plan was gradually 

 changed into that of extended distribution of pamphlets 

 of instruction to tree planters, and the offer of premiums 

 to successful planters, irrespective of the day, week, or 

 month when the trees or seeds were planted. Since 1872 

 the writer has sent out many thousand circulars and 

 Forestry annuals, and the society has paid a number of 

 premiums on extended and systematic planting of trees on 

 the prairies. The idea of planting on any specific day has 

 been lost by the society for a number of years, but last 

 year the superintendent of public schools Mr. Akers 

 set apart May 4th to be observed as Arbor Day in the 

 public schools of the state. In quite a large proportion of 

 the schools interesting and instructive programmes were 

 carried out in connection with the planting of trees in the 

 school yards. As Prof. Northrop has said, " The eco- 

 nomic and aesthetic here go hand in hand. This enlisting 



