Petersham High School - Hilltop Yearbook (Petersham, MA)

Page 17 text:

THE HILLTOP . , . . .......--,......1---.-......... .....-.-.... H...-..........1. ...-... -..i-................ .-.............. -..-.... ... ... -- .. boundaries the extensive Harvard Forest and other spreading woodlots, would our town be called the most beautiful town in Vassachusetts? No, it would notl Away back in the nineteenth century in a small F town in Arkansas, a young man by the name of J. 1 Sterling Morton saw clearly that communities, cities, and states could be made more beautiful if people ' would only become tree conscious. So he conceived 1. the idea that one day a year should be set aside we fl 4 . for planting trees, and gradually people would take egg great pride in their beautiful communities. Thus ef Arbor Day was established. On April 22, 1872, one Hy? f million trees were planted. Since then many states , have declared this date a legal holiday and have Aj observed it by planting trees. Schools usually ii? have appropriate exercises with recitations and 'K' songs, and plant trees and shrubbery around the tg school grounds. 132116 first tree society to be formed after the :gag establishment of Arbor Day was the Federal Forest .'gg Nursery in l902. The members desired to improve the beauty of all states and to show the country ' 32 the need of trees for shelter, food, and protection. 'QQ Tree-planting associations have been organized all rgqg over the country for people who love nature and .A fit enjoy beautiful surroundings. Children have ea- lgyg gerly joined these societies and have been as en- ,Fha thusiastic as their parents over the results of th' Q 553' work. C gfkii ' ?'QQ 'Jhen next April 22 comes along, renew your ff X pride in your towns trees, and think of J. Ster- 1Qag5 ling Morton, who conceived the idea .of Arbor Day X439 as one means of beautifying your community. JFKJS, Q Elsie H. Buell, v8.3 fsQ,2 ,Q I T H W. 1 I'