48 FOREST FIKKS IX XOKTH CAKOLIXA. 



the observance of Arbor Day throughout Xorth Carolina. The selection 

 of Friday as Arbor Day was made by the public school authorities in 

 order that the exercises would break into the regular school curriculum 

 little as possible. 



Manner of Observance. 



as 



It is the custom in most States where Arbor Day is observed for the 

 Governor to issue a proclamation calling the attention of the people to 

 the advantages of observing the day with tree planting, decorating school 

 grounds and home grounds, and studying the relation of trees and forests 

 to the life of the people. Governor Craig has expressed his approval 

 of this practice by indorsing this same provision in the N'orth Carolina 

 law. The law expressly authorizes the Governor to make the proclama- 

 tion, but it does not require it. Whether, therefore, the proclamation 

 is made or not, the validity of the observance will be the same, but the 

 active participation of the Chief Executive in this way would add in- 

 terest and enthusiasm to the occasion. 



The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who assisted in the 

 preparation of the bill and has, since its passage, expressed his entire 

 agreement with its provisions, will, as provided by the law, issue a pro- 

 gram and instruct the school authorities to observe the day in the proper 

 manner. Already several suggestions for Arbor Day celebrations have 

 been published by the various State departments, and these may be 

 referred to for assistance. Two years ago the Department of Education, 

 assisted by the State Geological and Economic Survey, prepared an 

 Arbor Day program and made other suggestions for the observance of 

 the day. (See Civic Days: Good Eoads, Arbor Day, pages 35-46, Bul- 

 letin XXII, N. C. Department of Education, 1913.) Last year the 

 same department issued a program entitled "Community Service Week 

 in N"orth Carolina" ; a few suggestions for improving school grounds by 

 planting trees, which can be done on Arbor Day, will be found on pages 

 16 and 85 of that publication. Other references to Arbor Day observ- 

 ance in North Carolina can be found in Economic Paper ISTo. 22, "Forest 

 Fires and Their Prevention," and Press Bulletin No. 49, "Arbor Day in 

 the North Carolina Schools." Some of the North Carolina towns have 

 also published Arbor Day programs, notably Durham in 1896 and Char- 

 lotte in 1913. Many of the States issue annually handsomely illustrated 

 Arbor Day bulletins or hand-books. In these are reprinted poems and 

 other selections which can be recited by the school children. 



