114 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



Such a survey and map would cost the landowners 

 10 cents an acre not a very large sum. Unfortunately, 

 some of the largest owners are so obtuse they can not 

 see the great benefit to themselves, and this fact is re- 

 tarding progress. 



The Rustier, published at King City (whose editor 

 is secretary of the Salinas Valley Irrigation Associa- 

 tion), set the movement going, and that paper is en- 

 gaged in a campaign of education along the line of the 

 benefits of irrigation. 



The Reclamation 'Service will take up the project 

 as soon as the money in the revolving fund becomes 

 available, provided the people are "Johnny on the spot" 

 with a contour map, made, preferably, by government 

 engineers. 



So the whole matter is up to the landowners to 

 "dig up," or to the people to influence their representa- 

 tives to secure an appropriation. As the big fellows 

 are "land poor" the latter way seems the only way out. 



THE FEDERATION OF TREE-GROWING CLUBS 

 OF AMERICA. 



To Heads of Families. 



MY DEAR FRIENDS: In thus addressing you I 

 have in mind persons who are unselfish and have the 

 disposition to join a movement to better mankind, so- 

 cially, morally and financially. 



I here appeal to such people to familiarize them- 

 selves with the methods and aims of the affiliated Tree 

 Growing Clubs of America. 



The promoters of this movement have no other 

 thought but to do good. Their motto is: "Useful 

 Effort." 



They aspire, with the aid of children, to restore 

 the timber supply of the country, and by so doing im- 

 prove conditions everywhere. 



We think that too little attention is given to 

 building character in our children, and believe that, 

 through our system, more can actually be accomplished 

 in that direction than by any method heretofore sug- 

 gested. 



Preaching, coaxing, threats, and various forms of 

 punishment fail to make our youths any better than 

 they are. 



It is true that example has a beneficial influence 

 over the shaping of the character of a child, but some- 

 thing else is required to obtain general results. 



There is a "back to the wild" tendency with us 

 all, which is more dominant in children. 



An avenue to highest ideals is provided by na- 

 ture study. 



I believe that home pets wield a good and lasting 

 influence, but in plant life there is a more far-reach- 

 ing latitude. 



Under my personal observation are children being 

 led, unconsciously, into becoming noble characters 

 through growing trees. 



Arbor Day never can be what its promoters in- 

 tended until our children themselves raise the trees to 

 be planted. * 



Children cannot be driven into taking an interest 

 in arboriculture; they must be led by example, guided, 

 encouraged and made to feel that they are factors in 

 a great movement. 



As an acorn is developed into a tree by surround- 

 ing it with conditions fitting nature's laws, so shall 

 we environ our children, for each one of them pos- 

 sesses the germ for a useful character. 



The delight and satisfaction coming to one as the 

 shoot first peeps from an acorn through the soil, is 

 pure happiness. 



An affection, delicate and sweet, at once takes hold 

 of the one who has caused life to come from this in- 

 animate thing, and grows into real love as leaves un- 

 fold from the tender baby stem. 



You watch it daily, for the change is rapid, and 

 should misfortune come to your loved plant, real 

 grief, gentle maybe, but pure, will be experienced. 

 "Joy has its grief and grief its smiles." 



Right here commences noble sentiment ; and I claim 

 that a child mind must be made susceptible to ideals 

 before further development of character can progress. 



When it is understood that a tree breathes through 

 its leaves and takes food and drink through its roots, 

 we know that intelligent care must be given it, else 

 the plant will not thrive. 



A duty has now been provided for the grower of 

 the little oak tree, which will become a pleasant one. 

 Interest will keep pace with development, and only 

 suggestion will be required to have the new silvicul- 

 turist plant seeds of other kinds of trees. 



When a tree is old enough to transplant in its 

 permanent resting place, it is probable- that its youth- 

 ful grower, who has nursed it to that age, will have a 

 desire to wish the tree to become an ornament, and a 

 monument to his or her industry. It will be found 

 that trees can be readily sold when in good condition. 

 Here is created the opportunity to earn money through 

 useful effort, and a business idea has been established. 



I suggest that, as an incentive, clubs offer prizes 

 to be given to the children making the best showing, 

 in each class, in tree growing. 



This will start them, but it is understood of course 

 that, previous to this prize offering, the club's perma- 

 nent school committee will have appeared before the 

 children and besides explaining the objects of the 

 club, viz., to plant trees along streets, roadways, cross 

 fences and unused lands, let the children know that 

 their co-operation is necessary to carry out the pur- 

 poses of the organization. 



Bear in mind that, for the first time, a method of 

 growing trees of all sorts successfully, by young and 

 old alike, has only now been made known, through the 

 agency of the officers of the National Tree Growers' 

 Association. 



Explanatory books upon the subject will be pro- 

 vided to clubs, as well as many other valuable works 

 on the subject of arboriculture, free of charge. 



It is the intention to bring about another school 

 holiday in the Fall of the year, where tree growing 

 clubs exist, to be called Seed Gathering day. 



After another year a system of exchange between 

 clubs will be established, to distribute varieties of trees 

 and seeds, one section with another, which will re- 

 sult in the introduction of useful kinds not before 

 grown in these localities. 



Get together, you good people, and organize a 

 tree growing club now. You know the right people 

 in your community, invite them to your home. 



