PLANTING TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8273, 4 June 1890, Page 6

PLANTING TREES.

A kkvv mouths ago the Superintendent of Public Instruction in California (Ira G. Hoitt) addressed a circular to the teachers, guardians, and parents of children attendthe public schools of that State. Tho circular referred especially to the importance of an .Arbor Day being instituted in California. .Mr. Hoitt, in his hist biennial report, had suggested a legally-appoint xi day for planting' trees ; but nothing haviag been done in the recent session of the legislature, he makes a direct appeal to teachers and parents, in order tnal a united effortmight be made in the way of beautifying sehoolgrounds by the planting of shrubs and trees, so teaching pupils to love and care for such things. The following extract from the circular referred to is worthy of perusal, the sentiments expressed being well iitted to awaken feelings of sympathy in the breasts of not a few settlers, who heartily wish that a day might be set apart in this colony for the planting of trees, &c., in schoolgrounds. Says Mr. Hoitt: — "All will agree that there is no >j>o on earth that ma}' not be made more beautiful by the help of trees and flowers. Much has been written and said about tho wanton destruction of our forests, and while our schools cannot protect the forests, they may ami can train up a generation which will frown upon and rebuke their wanton destruction ; a generation which will not leave our mountains, hillsides, and home surroundings treeless. Trees everywhere exert a coritroling iniluonce. This fact we know and feel in our every day's existence, and every sapling which we plant in our dooryard, or upon the naked sidewalk in front of our dwellings, makes, with every spreading branch, expanding leaf, and opening blossom, home pleasanter and our recollections of it and our love for it stronger. Our schools bear a close relation to the family, and we should not be satisfied till our sehoolgrounds, as well as our homes, are such in themselves and their surroundings as shall bo attractive and surely tend to •strengthen, ennoble, and elevate human character. 1 therefore earnestly urge the superintendents in each county and the trustees in each district to agree in setting apart one day to be known as ' Arbor Day,' and unite with the teachers and friends in taking the children out of their schoolrooms and teaching them how to plant trees, vines, and shrubs, and how to care for them when planted. Let us teach the children to become familiar with trees, to think of their value, and to love them. Thus may they be led by nature's hand to noble thoughts and worthy deeds. J sincerely hope that you will unite in an effort to accomplish the object herein suggested. Let Arbor Day once be inaugurated, and we may succeed in arousing a sentiment among the people which will make [Kissible an effective remedial legislation in the line of forest laws, such as may be demamded." In sympathetic accord with the object of the circular, a Yolo farmer, in the columns of the Democrat, thus proclaims the gospel ! of tree planting :—" What grand thoroughfares we could have in a short time if our gravelled roads were lined on either side by rows of trees, from Woodland to Esperauza and Rumsey, to Winters, to Davisvilie, to Dunnigan, to Knight's Landing—in fact, every roadway in the county. Come, fellow citizens, let's get a move on us, make Yolo one grand garden spot. Make homes pleasant. Trees grow in money value when we sleep, like money at interest, an income for the future. Trees enhance the value of your homes in more ways than one. Plenty of shade lowers the temperature of the heat of summer and tempers the winds of winter. Grow your own wood. At the present rate of destruction of timber, what will onr children do if we fail to provide timber for the future ?