“Usually lack of protection, and often lack of care in planting,” was the answer.  “When the new tree begins to put out tender rootlets a child brushing against it or ‘inspecting’ it too closely will break them off and it dies.  Or stock will nip off the new leaves and shoots and the result is the same.  A frame around the tree would prevent this.

“Then, often wild trees are too big when transplanted.  Such trees have usually only a few long roots and so much of these are lost in transplanting that the large trunk cannot be nourished by the remainder.  With nursery trees the larger they are the better it is, for they have a lot of small roots that do not have to be cut off.

“Fruit trees are seldom so successful as shade trees, either along a street or road or in a yard.  In the first place their branches are too low and unless carefully pruned their shape is irregular.  Then they are subject to so many pests that unless constant care is given them they will not bear a hatful of fruit a season.

    “On the other hand, nut trees are usually hardy and add much to the
    landscape.  Pecan, chestnut, walnut and shaggy bark hickory are some
    of the more popular varieties.”

The first Arbor day was observed in Nebraska, which has fewer natural trees than any other state.  This was in 1872, and Kansas was the second to observe the day, falling into line in 1875.  Incidentally Kansas ranks next to Nebraska in dearth of trees.

The Arbor day idea originated with J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraskan who was appointed secretary of agriculture by Cleveland.  Now every state in the Union recognizes the day and New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and others have gotten out extensive Arbor day booklets giving information concerning trees and birds; most of them even contain appropriate songs and poems for Arbor day programs.

How an interview combined with a description of a person may serve to create sympathy for her and for the cause that she represents is shown in the following article, which was published anonymously in the Sunday magazine section of the Ohio State Journal.  It was illustrated with two half-tone portraits, one of the young woman in Indian costume, the other showing her in street dress.

    JUST LIKE POCAHONTAS OF 300 YEARS AGO

    “Oh, East is East and West is West,
    And never the two shall meet.”

    BUT they may send messengers.  Hark to the words of
    “One-who-does-things-well.”