80 ARBOR DAY. 



received of an encouraging nature. One county reported 

 over 180,000 trees planted, and one 800, and letters from 

 school districts showed trees planted on the school 

 grounds. 



All the reports agree in that the children take a lively 

 interest in the matter making collections of woods, 

 leaves, seeds, etc., and learning the names of trees, plants, 

 and flowers. We have abundant evidence that the influ- 

 ence of the start in district schools has been carried to 

 the homes and greatly stimulated interest in tree plant- 

 ing. Last year, for the first time, I succeeded in having 

 Arbor Day observed by the public schools of Minneapolis. 

 Reading and talks on the subject for several days had 

 awakened an interest among the children ; many committed 

 to memory short selections or recitations. The park com- 

 mittee furnished trees for planting at the various schools, 

 and they were set out with appropriate exercises, songs, 

 and short speeches. That the children were interested is 

 shown by the fact that they are already inquiring whether 

 we are to have an Arbor Day celebration this year. Un- 

 fortunately our association is without money, and therefore 

 unable to do very much in the matter. The governor has 

 set Saturday, April 28th, for Arbor Day, and although 

 short of funds we shall endeavor to make its observance 

 more general than ever. 



