-AJESBOiEB 



The proclamation of the Governor, designating the first of 

 May as Arbor Day, is printed herewith. Governor Mellette 

 urges the general observance of this holiday with such force and 

 judgment that comment is unnecessary : 



"Whereas, the ceremonies of Arbor day, which are generally 

 observed throughout the states by setting apart a day annually 

 for the planting of trees and the dissemination of knowledge of 

 forestry and statistics pertaining to the importance of the prob- 

 lem of the world's future timber supply, has become a custom in 

 South Dakota, 



Now, therefore, I, Arthur C. Mellette, governor of South 

 Dakota, do hereby designate and proclaim Friday, the first day 

 of May, 1891, to be observed as Arbor day in South Dakota. 



"Teachers should take this occasion to impress upon pupils 

 the necessity of timber to civilization, besides its important 

 climatic influence, and utilize the day by planting trees upon 

 public grounds and providing for their culture. Parents and 

 children should observe the day by planting trees about their 

 homes and private grounds. Citizens should give the subject 

 recognition from a public standpoint. I especially invoke the 

 aid of the press, the great levenof modern power, in aid of the. 

 proper observance of the day and the benefits sought. 



While the subject is attracting the attention of those States 

 still possessing great areas of natural timber, it is doubly impor- 

 tant to the State of South Dakota, practically devoid of natural 

 timber, and within which artificial forests are readily produced 

 by the aid of experience and skill. It has been written that he 

 who plants a tree has not lived in vain. Its shades delight and 

 its branches protect e oming generations. The nation and tht 

 state alike, by legislation, encourage tree culture. It is for peo- 

 ple to decide, and they should bring to the work the energy 

 which it deserves. 



Done at Pierre, the capital, this 3d day of April, 1891, 

 [SEAL.] ARTHUR C. MEUVETTE, Governor. 



By the Governor: 



A. O. RINGSRUD, Sec. of State. 



