ARBOR DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6870, 14 July 1909, Page 4

ARBOR DAY.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS. The following circular has-been issued by the Wanganui Education Board to the chairman, of committees and headteachers in connection with Arbor Boy celebrations;—ln view of the important lessons which the occasion may be made tho means of teaching, the Board has resolved that Arbor Day, Wednesday, 21st inst., shall be fitly celebrated at the schools. Committees will doubtless make such arrangements as will suit lecal circumstances, but the' Board believes that some such programme as the following will prove generally acceptable: —

(1) Assembly, National Anthem, Saluting the Flag. , (2) Adresses by the Chairman of. Committee and others. (3) Lesson by the teachers on the value of trees as a private and national asset, and as objects of beauty. (4) Songs and recitations by pupils. (5) Pupils present to the school, pictures, boohs, curios, specimens or seedlings. (6) Lesson by teacher or friend on the methods of tree planting. (7) The junior children, under tho lady teachers will ornament tho walls of the class-rooms with the pictures, and the senior pupils will proceed to the play ground to plant the trees (all the tools necessary for doing tho work would need to be at hand). (8) The Chairman to declare the rest of the day a holiday. (9) The parents and the general public might be invited to attend and the occasion might perhaps be signalised by a little social function at the school.

The following is, the method of tree planting recommended by Ml- Grant, the Board's supervisee Of agricultural training:— "Dig the holes somewhat larger than the natural spread of the roots, if tho soil is poor some well rotted farmyard manure should be mixed with it, but on no account should fresh farmyard manure or fertilisers containing potash or soda be used. In planting, the roots of ail trees should have a line mellow Tied of good soil which should be firmly pressed into contact with every rootlet! No air spaces should be left and no two roots should be in contact. After the fine soil to a depth of three or. four inches is pressed into place, the remainder may bo thrown loosely on top. If the early summer is dry it is a. good plan to apply a mulch of straw, hay, weeds, or tea-tree around tho tree. This mulch should be about-three inches deep and should cover an area a little larger than the else of the hole in which the tree was planted. Before planting trees i’l the school ground it will be necessary to have a plan carefully drawn out. The completion of the plan may be the work of years, but Without a plan ho work of any value can be done. The first thing to plan for is fihelter and from the _ data accumulated in most schools this will not be a difficult task. It is uot a good plan to plant tall growing trees in front of the (school or to plant trees on h position that they will block Out any good Views that may be had from the school grounds.” All contributions by way of plants, la- !???& |CMhg and,, manure are.eiihsidisCd if there is a garden VeCogmsed by the Department attached to the school. I" 1 - PIRAN I, Chairman.