Ohio Arbor Day 1913: Arbor and Bird Day Manual Issued for the Benefit of the Schools of our State   By: Grace R. Clifton

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

STATE OF OHIO

In Accordance with Section 358 of the General Code of Ohio this

Arbor and Bird Day Manual

is Issued for the Benefit of the

SCHOOLS OF OUR STATE

Compiled by

MRS. GRACE R. CLIFTON

Issued by the

STATE COMMISSIONER OF COMMON SCHOOLS

APRIL 1913

Columbus, Ohio: The F. J. Heer Printing Co. 1913

STATE OF OHIO

Executive Department

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.

PROCLAMATION.

By authority of the law of the State of Ohio, Friday, April 4th, 1913, is hereby named and set apart as

ARBOR DAY.

The statutes provide that those in charge of public schools and institutions of learning are required to devote at least two hours to giving information to the pupils and students concerning the value and interest of forestry and the duty of the public to protect the birds thereof and also for planting forest trees.

It is well that our people have come to a full appreciation of the commercial, as well as the sentimental value of these things. This appreciation was arrived at through the proper inculcation into the minds of the young of the importance of observing the matters of nature upon which we are all so dependent.

But let us not confine our observance of Arbor Day alone to the schools and institutions of learning. Let us at least carry the spirit of the day also into our homes as well. And above all, let us be mindful at this time of the great scheme of nature wherein the humblest plant and flower, as well as the lordliest of the animal creation, has its proper place.

[Illustration: Ohio State Seal]

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State to be affixed at Columbus, this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirteen.

By the Governor:

JAMES M. COX.

CHAS. H. GRAVES Secretary of State.

[Illustration: (signed) James M. Cox]

SECTION 358. The state commissioner of common schools shall issue each year a manual for arbor day exercises. The manual shall contain matters relating to forestry and birds, including a copy of such laws relating to the protection of song and insectivorous birds as he deems proper. He shall transmit copies of the manual to the superintendents of city, village, special and township schools and to the clerks of boards of education, who shall cause them to be distributed among the teachers of the schools under their charge. On arbor day, and other days when convenient, the teachers shall cause such laws to be read to the scholars of their respective schools and shall encourage them to aid in the protection of such birds.

SECTION 7688. Not later than April the governor of the state shall appoint and set apart one day in the spring season of each year, as a day on which those in charge of the public schools and institutions of learning under state control, or state patronage, for at least two hours must give information to the pupils and students concerning the value and interest of forests, the duty of the public to protect the birds thereof, and also for planting forest trees. Such a day shall be known as Arbor Day.