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V^ FACULTY 



01 



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79 



ance has no>4$etv gejneral, biit Us JMp^nce has been ben- 

 eficial in attractin^^^ntloiw^Nlfiie subject at a season 

 when trees can be planl^fr^ In many of the prairie dis- 

 tricts the farmers have observed the day and planted thou- 

 sands of trees. The most pleasing feature of the work 

 has been in connection with the public schools in country 

 districts. In a few instances country towns have taken, 

 hold of the matter and made it an interesting holiday, 

 planting trees along the streets, in parks, school yards, 

 and private grounds. In 1886, our state superintendent 

 of public instruction, Kiehle, sent out a circular to county 

 superintendents and high school principals, calling atten- 

 tion to Arbor Day, and urging them to give the matter 

 due attention, suggesting readings and recitations on the 

 subject of trees, plants, and flowers. I secured 1,250 

 copies of this circular, and enclosing them with our " For- 

 est Tree Planter's Manual" (a book of over 100 pages 

 treating of the planting and care of trees), sent them to 

 the teachers of 1,250 district schools, in the prairie dis- 

 tricts, with a letter calling their attention to the governor's 

 proclamation recommending the observance of Arbor Day. 

 They were asked to devote one reading lesson each day 

 for a week to the subject of trees, their climatic influence, 

 fuel and timber value, methods of planting, and how 

 to propagate them. They were requested to give an ac- 

 count of what was done, if anything. Many replies were 



