Arbor Day, 1884

To the People of the State of Michigan: At a se?sion of the Legislatura for the yoar 1881 the followlng resolutiou was adopted : Resolved, That his Excellency. the Governor be and Is hereby requested to cali the attentlon of the people of ttie State to the importauce of planting trees ior ornament, protectiou, and sliatle, naming a day upon which the work shall beglyen special prominence, to be known and desiguated as "Arbor Day." Last year I called public attention to the lack of trees in our school grounds and am glad to know that in compliance with my request, much was done to beautify the surrottndicgs of our schoolhouses. Many of our rural burinl places are bare, or almost bare, of trees - lying in open fields, where the visitor eau iind neither sbr.de in summer, nor shelter frbm the wititer's stortu. In stiel neglected places lie many of Michigan's noble pioneer. The planting of trees near our homes appeals so strongly to our selfishness, by its added comfort and pecuniary prolit, that its neglect is properly regarded as an indicatioti of ghil'tlessness and lack of thrilt. The decoration of "God's Acre" rests on hisher grounds, appealing to our better nature and purer instincts. Let tne ask that, 011 Arbor Day, 1884, a special effort be made to beautify with trees and shrubs, our rural cemeteries. A day spent among the last resting places of our departed ones cannot fatl to revive preclous memories and tender recollections. Now Therefore, pursuantto the foregoincr resolution, I do hereby desígnate TÍiiirsday, the 24th day of April. 1884, to be known as "Arbor Day," and recommend the general bservance oí the saem throughout the State. I ti Testlmony Whereof, I hive hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal t the State to be hereunto afflxed, at Lansing, this 2Gth day of Marcli, 1884. By the GoTernor: Habbt A. Conant, Sccretary ot' State.