TREE PLANTING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 37 



Sec. 12. Provides for replacing dead trees after three years. 



Sec. 13. Provides that the act shall apply to such municipalities as. shall vote 

 to come within its provisions. 



Florida. 



Chap. 74, Laws 1901. Sec. 1. The County Commissioners are empowered to 

 improve by shading the public roads and highways of their respective counties. 



Sec. 2. It is the duty of said Commissioners upon petition of a majority of the 

 freeholders along any public road to improve the same by planting suitable shade 

 trees on such part as is mentioned in the petition, the work to be done in regular 

 order and at proper season. 



Sec. 3. Provides that upon petition of land owners the Commissioners shall set 

 shade trees not less than three nor more than six inches in diameter, and not less 

 than ten feet high, at a distance of one eighth mile apart and fifteen feet back from 

 the center of the road on each side in two parallel lines as markers to guide the 

 setting of remaining trees. 



Sec. 4. Provides that after markers and guides are set as per Sec. 3, the Com- 

 missioners shall purchase suitable trees and cause them to be set by contract, not 

 less than ninety feet nor more than one hundred and ten feet apart, to be placed so as 

 to alternate with trees on opposite side of road. Trees are not to be paid for until 

 they have put on sufficient growth to insure continued life ; not more than twenty- 

 five cents shall be paid per tree. The trees must be purchased from free holders 

 and taxpayers, and not more than ten dollars shall be paid to any one in one year. 



Sec. 5. Provides for paying the expense of planting out of the road tax fund. 



Chap. 121, Laws 1901. Sec. i. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person 

 to cut any shade tree within fifteen feet from center of road bed without permission 

 from proper authority. 



Sec. 3. Provides that an offender shall be fined not less than five dollars nor 

 more than twenty-five dollars. 



It is evident from the foregoing extracts that the absence of shade trees on our 

 streets and highways is not due to any lack of legislative provision for their installa- 

 tion, care, and maintenance. All that is needed now is a stimulation of public interest 

 in this subject. This can be best accomplished by the organization everywhere of 

 tree planting societies, village improvement leagues, outdoor art associations or any 

 movement which, through combined, intelligent effort, will have an opportunity to 

 assert itself and attain the desired beneficent results. 



