Excerpt from State of Rhode Island Arbor-Day Programme, May 4th, 1894

Arbor Day originated on the bleak, because treeless, prairies of Nebraska, over which the cold winds from the North and the withering blast-s from the heated plains of the South swept with unimpeded force. The early settlers of that region felt the need at once of some shelter from these winds, not only for them selves but for their cattle and their crops. To plant trees was the only available resource. But what an almost hopeless undertaking was it for the scattered people to plant on such a vast space as one of our Western States enough trees to make an effective barrier against the winds.

In this emergency the happy thought occurred to one of the settlers that if a particular day were agreed upon for tree planting many would be prompted to engage in the work who otherwise would fail to do so, while the labor would be lightened and made pleasant to each one by the knowledge that so many others were working with him for the same object, an old proverb having it that many hands make light work. The suggestion was well received a day was named by the State Board of Agriculture, and the people entered upon the work with such enthusiasm that more than a million trees were planted on the day assigned. Year by year since then Arbor Day has been observed so well that we are assured by ex-governor Morton, now Secretary of Agriculture for the United States, who has the honor of originating this tree-planting festival, that there are now more than acres of trees in Nebraska which have been planted by human hands.

The successful establishment of the day in Nebraska commended it at once to the people of other States, and it was soon adopted by Kansas, Iowa, and Minne sota, and was not long in making its way into Michigan and Ohio.

In the latter State it took on a new character, which has caused it to spread rapidly throughout the country. The teachers and pupils of the schools were invited to unite in its observance, and instead of trees being planted merely as screens from the winds, they were also planted for ornamental purposes and as memorials of important historical events and of celebrated persons, authors, statesmen, and others. Thus the tree planting has gained a literary aspect and an interest for all classes, for young as well as old. In preparation for it the pupils of the schools have been led to the study of trees, their characteristics and uses. They have learned the history of celebrated trees and of persons who have been connected with them. They have become familiar with the lives of eminent persons and the best writings of distinguished authors, and thus have received most valuable instruction, while, at the same time, their finer tastes have been cultivated.

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