ARBOR DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2132, 15 July 1907, Page 3

ARBOR DAY.

INTEREST WANTED. .AMERICA’S EXAMPLE. “If tlio children will get waked up about the matter they will find that their interest in trees and (lowers and animals wil grow larger and larger as hoy grow larger and larger themselves. .They will think of tilings that never occurred to them before. That will make them bettor and more successful men and women. 111 overy school in tho State let tho day he used to create a now love of nature in the teacher and the children, and let something be done which for a lonv. time will express that now interest in tlio subject,” wroto the Commissioner of Education for the State of New York on loth April, 1907. This remark was made in the preface of a delightful booklet which) was issued by the Education Department to arouse tho school children’s interest in Arbor Day. The publican tion is prettily illustrated, and .sparkles with bright prose 11ml verse in language that would go direct tp juvenile hearts. In New Zealand Arbor Day was instituted years ago; it was established, and there it mostly remained. Thoro was a’spasmodic celebration in the first year or two of the arbor era, and then died away, leaving only a iiollow name, in honor of which the Government offices were closed. During tho last couple of years, however the importance of tree-planting has been recognised in some school districts, notably Canterbury. A couple of years ago the children, under expert supervision, began to plant tho road that runs over tho Port hills to a pretty seaside village, Governor’s Bay, and when this task is completed thev will set trees on other roads that meander among the brown hills. There the Education Board grants trees to school committees for tlio purpose of beautifying school grounds, and private citizens also have been generous in gifts of various kinds of flora. The Government, tho Education Boards, tlio school committees, the teachers, tho children, and thoir parents must all bo enthusiastic if the purpose of Arbor Day is to bo properly achieved. “It is easy enough for an enthusiastic teacher to work ui) proper ceremonies for Arbor Day,” states tho Now York Magazine, “but too often the teacher finds no practical response from patrons of tlio school. Trees and shrubs to be of any avail must bo planted on school grounds with the same forethought and care that a farmer gives to the planting of an orchard, and thev must bo looked after, not simply on Arbor Day, but all tlio year. It ought to be understood bv school officers everywhere that mere, sentiment will not arouse the patrons of a school district to beautify their school grounds. The whole matter must in some way be put before them on a plain business basis. They must see that it pays, as in the end it most certainly does.”