COLYTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 10

COLYTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) COLYTON,' Sept. 19. The celebration of Arbor Day was carried out at Colyton School last Wednesday, when parents and friends numbering about forty were present and spent an enjoyable afternoon. The school children presented an interesting programme which was much enjoyed, the following items being presented:—Recitation, “Why We Keep Arbor Day,” Pixie Porter; mouth organ solo, “The Old Pine Tree,” and recitation, “The Oak,” Arthur Lankshear; song, “Spring Time,” Joyce Lankshear; drill, led by Volda Woodman; recitation, “Little By Little,” Gladys Edhouse; mouth organ solo, “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” Arthur Lankshear. After the programme had concluded Mr W. G. Pearce presented the prizes and gave an interesting address on Arbor Day, at the same time entertaining the assembly with reminiscences of his experiences during the time he was chairman of the Colyton School Committee forty-eight years ago. He congratulated Leslie Palmer on his success _ in writing the winning essay in the senior competition—it was truly worthy of the distinction—and Nola Parker, the winner of tho junior competition. Mr Pearce then supervised the planting of tho trees. A delightful afternoon tea was partaken of, the children waiting on their visitors. Mr Clevely, the headmaster, on behalf of the school' thanked all who had attended and shown such an interest in the clnldren’s .- function, lie said -it was very gratifying to see such a large gathering present. Mr J. Crook, the chairman of the School Committee, - returned thanks, and led the children in hearty cheers for their teachers, this concluding a successful and pleasant afternoon. WINNING ESSAY. Leslie Palmer’s prize essay, “Trees,” was as follows: —Trees are found .in almost every place of this great far-stfelching universe in which we live, lliere are millions of different trees, both- evergreen and deciduous, but in the temperate climate isles of New Zealand the beautiful bushy green trees cannot he excelled. Of course’ foreign trees have been introduced from other zones and tropical habitats. The great towering pines, which belong to the conifer family, are becoming very useful to the New Zealander in many ways, and are quite happy in Zealand. Their cousins, the red fir,' Douglas fir, pinus muricata, piims iusiguus, and pinus l-adiata, too, are appreciating our mild southern atmosphere as they do thenown habitat in North America. In the man made forests, science has discovered an important fact regarding tho planting of these groves. If the trees arc planted close together, they will have long straight boles. This is because the limbs are unable to wander outwards. Naturally. the trees like the warm sunshine, end finding themselves shut in on all sides, they roar their slender timbers far up into tho blue sky to obtain their share ot sunlight, thus giving man a straight, clear barrel for the mill. Nature has cleverly fitted every seedwith some mechanism by which to distribute itself. The sycamore seed lias tho shape of an aeroplane propeller, and caught by a gust of wind it Bios well away to settle down in the grass till it sprouts. The pine and kowhai seed are also spread in this manner. . ■ Nothing in the world is so helpful to man in so many ways as trees. They

provide his domestic animals with shelter. His home is beautified by trees; tho timber from them makes his house, and gives him furniture; he reads books manufactured from wood-pulp; his clothing is made from wood pulp or cellulose and, best of all, man sits beside a cheery fire of glowing, crackling wood logs on a chilly even ing. . The planting of infant trees provides interesting and useful knowledge. At five years old the trcelet is at its _ best for transplanting. When doing so it is best not to expose the roots; if the roots are somewhat damaged or broken, pruning must he done to save the tree. For starting tho treelet off in good health in its new situation, a trench should .be dug so that one side is vertical and the opposite side gradually rises to the surface of tho ground. Keeping the soil well drained is an important factor, and when the young trees have been in the new ground for a month, one should trample the soil firmly around the roots, giving them a firm foundation against wind and storm. Cattle and stock are the enemies of treolets which should be protected by fences. Planting a huge plantation as carefully as this may seem a hundred troubles, but at. last, when one sees the fruit of all those toils in tho beautiful, stately trees that will feed and clothe many a person in years to come, one changes his opinion immensely. I believe that it is very important tor school children to take a keen interest in the planting of trees on Arbor Day, for wo never know but that wo may, with pleasure take part in it ourselves some day in the veiled future.