210 ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



ARBOR DAY. 



THE observance of Arbor Day in New York State is at once new, novel and 

 interesting, as well as highly instructive. Its advantages are many, and 

 the public benefits that may be derived therefrom cannot be overestimated. 

 One of its main objects, however, as cited in the State Superintendent's circu- 

 lar letter, is to instill into the minds of the growing generation a genuine love 

 of Nature in her manifold forms, and to know and love Nature is to protect 

 her. It is meet, indeed, that our schools should become a coadjutant power, 

 and what activity and zeal they may manifest will perhaps inspire their elders 

 to better efforts. 



The grandest achievement of this observation of Arbor Day would be to cen- 

 ter the public mind upon the all-important fact that stringent and immediate 

 measures should be adopted for the preservation of our forests, and to institute 

 a common-sense investigation relative to their important climatic effects in 

 many localities. Forest trees are excellent condensers of moisture, and as the 

 vapor-laden clouds float above the large tracts, the contained moisture is con- 

 densed and falls as rain or snow. In these densely wooded districts the soil is 

 naturally spongy and permeable. Rain falling on such ground is readily ab- 

 sorbed, and at once finds a passage to underground natural reservoirs, so valu- 

 able in many instances. The thick canopy of foliage affords excellent protec- 

 tion from the sun's greedy rays, and hence what moisture falls, is not lost in 

 evaporation. Streams which find their source here are never failing, and their 

 unceasing flow swells many a larger stream, thus made valuable for manufac- 

 turing power. And then again how dependent upon these tiny tributaries are 

 the many and varied manufacturing interests. How insignificant would be our 

 inland commerce and navigation without them. 



As modifiers of the climate, trees, woodlands, and forest-tracts are not justly 

 appreciated. They cool the atmosphere, and so temper the extremes of climatic 

 " fickleness," that they become somewhat more endurable. They act as obstruc- 

 tions to destructive winds, which in event of the absence of forest-lands would 

 have a clear sweep across unprotected districts. As beneficial to health, they 

 stand pre-eminent. In- primitive times forests were considered as hindrances, 

 and the clearing of forest lands was thought to be a national necessity. The 

 barrenness and sterility of the bible-countries was caused by this demolition of 

 its forest lands, and trees are now so valuable in Persia that he who plants one 

 is known as a public benefactor. 



The first advocate of tree-planting in this country was the Hon. G. P. Marsh, 

 and when the Central Pacific railroad was constructed, thousands of trees were 

 planted alongside. Thus the custom originated in the far west, was first adopted 

 as a holiday among the public schools in Nebraska, and has now reached the 

 east. May the day grow in popularity, and may the lesson it strives to teach 

 become a public task. 



" The Student" Richfield Springs, 1889. 



