FORESTRY MOVEMENT IN UNITED STATES. 379 



fide forest-planting and how much timber growth 

 has resulted from it. Unfavorable climate, lack of 

 satisfactory plant material, and lack of knowledge 

 as to proper methods led to many failures, and on 

 the whole the expected results were not realized. 

 Private interest of homesteaders and settlers with- 

 out these aids has probably been more effective. 

 In this direction the establishment of arbor days 

 throughout the states has been a stimulating influ- 

 ence. From its inception by Governor J. Sterling 

 Morton and first inauguration by the State Board of 

 Agriculture of Nebraska in 1872, it has become a 

 day of observance in nearly every state, and its 

 adoption as a national holiday may be shortly 

 expected. 



While, with the exception of the so-called treeless 

 states, perhaps not much planting of economic 

 value is done, the observance of the day in schools 

 as one set apart for the discussion of the importance 

 of trees, forests, and forestry, has been productive 

 of an increased interest in the subject. 



Nevertheless, arbor days have had also a retarding 

 influence upon the practical forestry movement in 

 leading people into the misconception that forestry 

 consists in tree-planting, in diverting attention from 

 the economic question of the proper use of existing 

 forest areas, in bringing into the discussion poetry 

 and emotions, which have clouded the hardheaded 

 practical issues and delayed the earnest attention 

 of practical business men. 



