i 4 ARBOR DAY 



deemed Arbor Day an obtrusive innovation, was 

 expected and occasioned no discouragement. My 

 last word with more than one governor was: "This 

 thing is sure to go. My only question is, shall it 

 be under your administration or that of your suc- 

 cessor?" Many state officials who at first were 

 apathetic, on fuller information have worked 

 heartily for the success of Arbor Day. The logic 

 of events has answered objections. Wherever it 

 has been fairly tried it has stood the test of experi- 

 ence. Now such a day is observed in forty states 

 and territories, in accordance with legislative acts 

 or recommendation of state agricultural and hor- 

 ticultural societies, of the state grange, or by special 

 proclamation of the governor or recommendation 

 of the state school superintendents, and in some 

 states by all these combined. It has already become 

 the most interesting, widely observed and useful of 

 school holidays. It should not be a legal holiday, 

 though that may be a wise provision for the once 

 treeless prairies of Nebraska. 



Popular interest in this work has been stimulated 

 by the annual proclamations of governors and 

 the full and admirable circulars to state and 

 county school superintendents sent to every school 

 in the State. 



Arbor Day has fostered love of country. It has 

 become a patriotic observance in those Southern 

 States which have fixed its date on Washington's 



