How Arbor Day should be celebrated by the public at large

Either by private planting of trees or shrubs on your own property, or by co-operating with others in your district in planting trees on the boulevard if your street is ready to receive them.

For private planting we would recommend that at least one tree on your property should be Dogwood. We can do much to advertise the climate of Vancouver by having plenty of Dogwood for visitors to admire. This tree is not hardy in the east and the fact that it is native here is positive proof of our mild climate, but as the city expands, and trees are cleared off to make room for homes, Dogwood is becoming less evident, though still abundant around the city.

For boulevard planting, the Board of Park Commissioners have prepared blue prints of the systems of boulevards existing in the City and have shown on them the locations where trees should be placed. It is therefore necessary to co-operate with the Board through Supt. Rawlings. This is best done through local organizations such as Horticultural Societies, Ratepayers Associations or any other body whose members are willing to co-operate by planting the trees in accordance with the instructions sent out by the Board. But any group of individuals such as residents of one street, or one block, may temporarily organize and appoint one of their number to be interim Secretary to carry on all negotiations with the Park Superintendent with a view to having the boulevard staked out and trees supplied on the desired day for planting. By adopting this plan you may have your district beautified much earlier, and at less cost because the charges for planting will not be laid on the property affected, if the planting is properly done.

I would strongly urge all parents of children of school age, to join the Parent Teachers Association of their school, or if one does not at present exist, organize one. Here is something of a constructive nature in which teacher and parent may co-operate to mutual advantage. The teachers will welcome the help of parents, and it is conducive to better educational results to have a friendly spirit of co-operation instead of the destructive criticism which we occasionally find when the organization has nothing in particular to accomplish. Even though you plant but one tree each year, it is worthwhile. At the University we have a row of trees planted by the graduating classes, one each spring since 1917 (?). This row not only helps to beautify the campus, but it is a silent reminder of the students who, like trees trained in a nursery, have been transplanted from the University to fill positions where they may blossom and bring forth good fruit.

Therefore, if your school grounds can be beautified by the planting of trees or shrubs, get this on the agenda for discussion at your next meeting, and have all preparations made in good time for spring planting.