LB N UC-NRLF *B Eb5 -mo MOTIVES IN EDUCATION AND OTHER ESSAYS BY D. F. K. BERTOLETTE BOSTON THE GORHAM PRESS 1916 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY D. F. K. BERTOLETTE All Rights Reserved The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. CONTENTS PAGH MOTIVES IN EDUCATION .... 7 THE FRENCH HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA ...... SI TREES AS A MEANS FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES ..... 49 3574iV MOTIVES IN EDUCATION MOTIVES IN EDUCATION A MOTIVE may be defined as meaning that which acts as an in-\ ducement to preference or choice. ' In other words it is a very strong influ- ence toward some object to be attained. Just what these influences are depends entirely upon the nature of the person and on the object to be attained. We often hear the expression, and doubtless use it as often ourselves, "What was your motive in doing this?" meaning what caused you or what influenced you to act in such a manner. We may state with truth that every wilful act has its inducement or cause. [7] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION Just as in mathematics there is a reason for every step, so also in every act there is a motive or cause. From the child on up the individual can give a reason for each and every one of his voluntary acts however small and mean the reason may be. Still it is a reason. It may only be a certain state of consciousness which hap- pens to be uppermost in a man's mind as he acts. Very often Intention and Motive are confused; in fact they are used inter- changeably in society. Notwithstanding this fact there is a vast difference in their meaning. Intention is what a man means to do, while Motive is the personal frame of mind which indicates why he means to do it. Therefore Intention has the stronger moral value, while Motive ren- ders the consequences interesting and at- [8] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION tractive. Motive is that which makes the difference between one act and another. As we now know the difference be- tween Intention and Motive, let us ex- amine the different kinds of Motives. Motive may be divided into two classes, Egoistical and Altruistical. Both classes are absolutely necessary in our daily life. Let us first look at egoistic motives or the ones which concern the self only. Our original instincts are such that their ob- jects are to look after the advantages of the self. However everything depends upon the sort of self maintained. What would become of a person if he would not struggle for food and strive against ob- stacles? What would become of society? Self-preserving instincts must be there- fore socially conservative. No one has a right to neglect his own interests, hoping [9] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION some one else will care for them. The man who takes exercise because he thinks of his health must be commended, but the one who is thinking continually of his health and excludes other thoughts must be condemned. Altruistic motives are called out by the sight of another's joy or sorrow and seek to increase the former and lighten the lat- ter. These motives may be divided into three classes: 1. Those which seek to preserve the self. 2. Those which seek to favor others. 3. Those which are pure- ly impersonal. Every person is a pecu- liar mixture of fierce insistence on his own welfare and is susceptible to the happi- ness of others. I have said that the motives of a person are either egoistical or altruistical and this applies to the child as well as to the adult. [10] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION Both classes are absolutely necessary, as we have seen, but it remains for us to teach the child when and how to use the one in exclusion of the other; in other words, give him training for future life. Coming down to the main question, is there any motive in education? Is there any influence which causes any person young or old to study? Let us pause a moment and consider. Beyond a doubt we all have pupils in our schools who do not study well and possibly some who do not study at all. Somehow or other they simply idle their time away. What is the reason? What can be done to solve this great problem? This is a question which has confronted teachers and parents from time immemorial. We all know through personal experience how difficult it is to do anything which is not interesting. We MOTIVES IN EDUCATION also know that the results are better and more lasting \^here interest is^ displayed. The same thing is true with the child in his education. To say that one is inter- ested in a subject is exactly the same as saying that he has a motive for its study. As we have seen, one may have other mo- tives than that of interest, yet interest in its best sense means motive and when we succeed in getting a child interested in his work we give him a motive. Therefore the point is for every teacher to make the subject in which a pupil shows no interest interesting and thus give him a motive for his work. In early times the custom prevailed amongst the majority of teachers to make a subject interesting by use of the rod. This method of securing interest proved too harsh and eventually the only result MOTIVES IN EDUCATION obtained was to make the child stubborn. It was also discovered that many pupils had no special interest in avoiding a whip- ping. Later, demotion and praise were re- sorted to. These were by far the most pleasant incentives. Although these might produce interest in the school they failed entirely out of school. It was then learned that one should appeal to those values which last all through life. One should therefore appeal to such values as: duty, honesty, ambition, rivalry, and the vir- tues which last all through life. The kind of interest which is secured in this man- ner is known as mediate interest, or the kind of interest connected with a thing which is not interesting in itself. The method is known as an appeal to the gen- eric values or interests. In other words, it is the securing of interest where no in- [13] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION terest is shown. In appealing to the virtues the guiding principle is that the highest virtue should be used. By this I mean the highest vir- ; tue the pupil can comprehend, and to do .this the teacher must know his pupils. He dare not appeal to duty if his pupils are not as yet interested in doing their duty and do not understand the term. An ob- jection to this may be raised that the pu- pil studies merely for the sake of the vir- tue and not for the sake of the subject matter. He is interested merely in quantity and not in quality. Here the teacher must again step in. Here the teacher must know in what his pupil is interested and should associate the work along the pupil's line of interest. For ex- n& ample: a boy is not in the least interested in arithmetic, yet he is intensely interested MOTIVES IN EDUCATION in farm work. If so, anything connected with farm work will be interesting. In this case it is the duty of the teacher to associate the lessons with farm work and their value to farm work. He should give the boy such problems as are concerned with finding the dimensions of buildings, the capacity of bins, in fact anything of interest to a boy on a farm. At the same time he should point out the need of such problems to a farmer. In such cases in- variably interest will be obtained. The work may be slow yet it will be lasting. Many teachers think attention is the thing needed in classes; however, this is not the most important although it is one of the most important. This is shown by the difference between the listless atten- tion we give to anything uninteresting and the kind of attention we give to any- [15] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION thing interesting. Therefore it is the duty [of every teacher to make his classes in- teresting and alive ; if he fails the branch should be dropped since the damage will be greater than the benefit. One great fault with many teachers is constantly to be nagging at our dull pu- pils we praise and help our bright pu- pils only. This should not be done. Some pupils can grasp a lesson quicker than another and it is our duty to explain more to the dull pupil and help him. Any person will get tired of continual scold- ing, will get disgusted and quit. Many a time a dull mind is the most fertile field to work in if the teacher but knew and would cultivate. A teacher is not meas- ured by the number of bright pupils he makes brighter, but rather by the number of dull pupils he makes bright. The dull [16] MOTIVES IN EDUCATION pupil needs the most encouragement. Many of our greatest men were the dull- est in their school days. It is true that it may take time and a lot of patience to teach a dull boy, yet the result may be am- ple reward. It is the duty, therefore, of every teacher to know his pupils, to find out in what they are interested, to associate the uninteresting with the interesting, and in so doing should appeal to the higher and nobler qualities which may serve to move a pupil. [17] THE FRENCH HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA THE FRENCH HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA AMONG the various nationali- ties which gave the New World a start were the French. Of these there were two chief classes: first, those who left their native land of their own accord for the purpose of establishing a "New France" in the New World; sec- ond, those compelled, or almost com- pelled, to leave their country on account of religious persecution. Taken as a whole, we find the latter class, although struggling against greater odds, more numerous than the former and as a rule they were the better element to lay the foundation of a young* nation. When [21] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA they came they came with a determination to stay, knowing that they could not pos- sibly return unless they would conform to the Established Church. This class was termed the French Huguenots and among them, as in all classes, we find both good and bad, industrious and indolent. They found settlements in nearly every col- ony and in every case proved themselves a good element. However, looking over our histories, in general, we find that very little attention is given them. Can it be that they were neither beneficial nor in- teresting? No, this can not be for they were very beneficial and interesting in the extreme. "What then are the reasons that so little is said?" you may ask. In the first place it may be that not much is known about them; in the second place the majority of our historians are Eng- [22] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA lishmen and do not care to mention any- thing concerning the French. Be this as it may, the fact remains that in very few histories, especially those commonly used, do we find any great discussion about the Huguenots' early settlements, scarcely a mere mention. Although unsuccessful in many cases, yet they deserve a place on our records. Therefore, in this treatise, I shall endeavor to enlighten the reader in particular about several of these early settlements, namely, those of the Hugue- nots in Early Florida. Let us, first of all, note conditions in France which brought about these settle- ments. About the year 1562 a dark cloud was thickening over France. The great religious wars were rapidly approaching. At this time the people were getting new religious ideas and were leaving the Es- [23] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA tablished Church, which was Catholic. Spain, the great Catholic nation, was con- tinually watching and waiting to crush this hope of humanity. Considering these facts and fearing what the future might have in store, a Huguenot colony started by Gaspard de Coligny made preparations to sail for the New World for the purpose of founding a settlement where they could worship as they pleased. Colig!ny, al- though high in rank, had to act with great caution. This Huguenot party may be consid- ered as being political as well as religious. Their religious element consisted of mar- tyrs and devoted fugitives, but joined to these were some on whom the faith sat lightly. Yet in this expedition were the boldest and most earnest of their sect- men equal, in every respect, to those who [tt] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA later came over in the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth. Their commander was an excellent man and a staunch Protestant, Jean Ribaut of Dieppe. Be- sides sailors the expedition consisted of a band of veteran soldiers and a few no- bles, for it must be noticed that also some of the nobility had withdrawn from the Established Church and become Protes- tants. The party sailed from Hause on the 18th of February, 1562. After quite a successful voyage, on the thirtieth of May, in the latitude of twenty-nine and a half degrees, they sighted what proved to be the coast of Florida. Now they turned their prows northward and the next morning found themselves off the mouth of a great river. The shore was crowded with Indians who beckoned them [25] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA to land. They landed and gave thanks to God for their safe deliverance. Through the giving of gifts they soon made friends of the Indians. Next they took advantage of the opportunity and admired the scenery and the country which they imagined must have gold. Here again we find that old fault, that old greediness, which so often resulted in the utter failure of entire colonies, name- ly, the desire for gold. We shall soon see the result of this desire in this case. When they had planted the arms of France on the shores of this river, which was called the river May, they again set sail for the north. After) cruising for some time they cast anchor near Fer- nandina. Spending several weeks in ex- plorations till they had a pretty clear con- ception of this vast region, they, one day, [26] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA discovered a commodious haven between the flat and sandy shores and called it Port Royal. Here too they made friends of the redskins. Plenty of game was seen and many of the men desired to remain. Although the object of this voyage was not immediate settlement, yet Ribaut hu- mored them. Finally thirty were chosen to hold Port Royal with Albert de Pres- sia as commander. The fort was begun, situated on Archers Creek, and was called Charles Fort in honor of Charles IX. As considerable headway was soon made, am- munition was sent to the fort and Ribaut embarked on his way to France. Albert and his friends were now alone in these solitudes, that is, they were the only Christian settlement from the North Pole to Mexico. The pressing question, in fact, was how were they to subsist, but [27] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA before considering this question they be- gan to turn their attention to gold. After they had built the fort they set forth for adventures. They were not troubled, in any way, by the Indians who had lost all fear of the new comers since Ribaut had advised his men to use kindness, and so good will prevailed. The French roamed over the whole country, visited in turn five petty chiefs and feasted with each one. By one of these chiefs, named Andusta, they were invited to a religious festival, the whole affairs of which they were not allowed to see. At the close of the fes- tival they were summoned to a sumptu- ous feast. After their visit to Andusta, they again returned to Charles Fort and were again generously supplied by the Indians with food. The Indians, also, told them of an- [28] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA other rich tribe to which they immediately repaired. By this tribe they were feasted to repletion and were given a large amount of food to take back to their fort. However, that night their store house burned down and again they were left destitute. Again they received food from a rich Savannah tribe whose chief assured them that his friends should not want. From all this one might think that the French spent a life of luxury and happi- ness but this was not the case. Within the colony the colonists fell to quarreling. The governor, Albert, grew harsh, domi- neering, and violent. Any one opposing him would get hung, he performing this office himself. After he had banished one man to a solitary island the colonists arose and murdered Albert and put another man in his office named Barre. After this [29] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA there was peace but a peace of famine, homesickness, and disgust. The settlers grew to hate the fort. If they had put energy in this settlement it might have become a solid colony but on the contrary they lost all energy. They built a rude craft, loaded a few provisions on it and took to sea, bound for France. A storm overtook them, their provisions gave out, and they were compelled to eat one of their own number. Finally an English bark took them all prisoners. Thus end- ed the first Huguenot attempt to estab- lish a settlement in Florida. Not more than two years later another French Huguenot fleet, driven by condi- tions in France, anchored off the River May on the coast of Florida. This fleet was commanded by Rene de Laudonniere, who also was of the nobility. All were [30] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA Huguenots in name at least, yet as before some of the product was unsound sol- diers paid out of the royal treasury, hired artisans and tradesmen, and a swarm of volunteers from the young Huguenot no- bles. There were no tillers of the soil who are so badly needed in a colony. Hugue- not tillers were rare, for the peasants clung blindly to the old faith. The set- tlers were heated with dreams of wealth like all others before. They arrived on the twenty-second of June, 1564, at St. Au- gustine, which they named the River of Dolphins. Thence they bore north and on the twenty-fifth landed on the shore of the River May near the present village of Mayport. They were also favorably re- ceived by the Indians, who followed them wherever they went. The French explored the country [31] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA round about until they came to a hill, now called St. John's Bluff, where, after a good deal of debating, they started to build a fort. It was marked out in the form of a triangle and all lent a hand to finish it. The fort was after this man- ner. On the river side there was a de- fence of a palisade of timber. On the other two sides was a ditch and a rampart of earth. At each angle was a bastion and one held a magazine. In the open were several buildings for provisions and also some dwelling places. The Indians grew suspicious and came to inquire but Lau- donniere explained that no evil was in- tended. He had made a treaty with them to attack the Thimagoas, a hostile tribe, and this he renewed. This reconciled the Indians and in several more days the fort was finished. [32] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA At heart the French commander wished to make friends with the Thimagoas and accordingly sent one of his men to make a treaty. When the man returned he told the inquiring Satonriona that he had made an expedition against the Thima- goas and had defeated them. When the chief, in turn, wished to make an expedi- tion against them the French refused to go. This angered the chief and he went alone. It was lucky for the colonists that his wrath did not take another turn, but on his return he again made a treaty with the colonists, now lowered in his esteem. Meanwhile, in Fort Caroline itself, parties and cliques, conspiracy and sedi- tion, were fast stirring into life. The colonists' hopes had been dashed for they found not conquest and gold but exile in a small fort with hard labor, hard fare, [33] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA approaching famine and nothing to break the monotony. They now formed plots against the commander. What largely angered them was that the commander had several favorites, one of whom was Othingy, and so they could not gain his ear. Even the young nobles were in this conspiracy, none of whom was very reli- gious. The plot was led by one La Ro- quette, who stated that he had found a mine of gold and silver which would make them all rich and that were it not for Laudonniere their fortune was made. He gained an ally in a man named Genre and through him won over many soldiers. They now tried to kill the commander in every way but utterly failed, being de- tected each time. At length word was brought that Genre was the cause of all this and he was forced to flee but was [34] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA finally forgiven. Laudonniere had fallen ill and the plotters sent charges to France of peculation, favoritism, and tyranny. With a certain French captain Laudon- niere exchanged eight malcontents for sailors, which act proved disastrous. These pirates, joined to others, made an expedition to the West Indies but were caught by the Spanish and were forced to say all they knew about the fort. Things now went on from bad to worse. The conspirators, led by a man of good birth by the name of Forneaux, killed all who opposed them. They captured Laud- onniere, who had again fallen ill and threatened to kill him unless he would sub- mit to their expedition against the West Indies. This he at last promised to do. Their object was to plunder a church rich with metal whereby a triple end was [35] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA achieved. First, a rich booty; second, vengeance on the enemies of their party and faith; third, the punishment of idol- atry. Needless to say that their expedi- tion, although successful in plundering the church, was a failure. They returned crestfallen and prayed for forgiveness. After some deliberation they were for- given but the ringleaders were condemned to death. The fort was next assaulted by fam- ine brought on by indolence. All their stores failed and they were obliged to eat even roots. The Indians no longer ren- dered aid except at times selling them fish at exorbitant prices. No help came from France. They demanded aid from an In- dian chief, Ontina, and were refused. Upon this they captured him and asked for ransom. At first ntfne was given but [36] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA finally they made the chief promise food and took him back to his tribe. Here they received but a meager supply and more- over the party was attacked by the furi- ous tribe, two being killed and twenty-two injured. Now famine and desperation reigned full sway at the fort and the col- onists were about to leave when four ships were sighted. The question was, Were they friends or enemies? They were neither, but English in quest of slaves commanded by the father of slavery, Sir John Hawkins. He came up the river and landed at the fort. Seeing their con- dition he offered them free passage in his vessel which was refused for obvious rea- sons. He next offered to lend or sell one of his smaller vessels. This Laudonniere dorfe and Hawkins liberally told him to fix his own price. The cannon of the fort [37] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA and several other articles now useless to the settlers was given in exchange. Haw- kins also gave wine and biscuit together with other needed provisions for the voy- age, after which he left. The French settlers now began to make preparations for departure when their misfortunes took a new phase. On the 28th of August, Vassem and Verdier came in with the news that a squadron was nearing. As this fleet did not an- swer the signals it was thought an en- emy. Word was about to be given to fire when it was discovered to be a French fleet under Ribaut. Their joy knew no bounds. Ribaut brought new settlers, both men and women. Their joy was short, for soon they saw a Spanish fleet on the horizon. This Spanish fleet was led by Menen- [38] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA dez, who anchored for the night. Ribaut's fleet escaped under cover of darkness. Next day Menendez arranged to attack the French. With five hundred men, guided by a renegade Frenchman, they attacked the French unawares and un- prepared. Menendez was merciless and killed all he met. However, some few managed to escape, among whom were La Moyne, Laudonniere, and some others. These were picked up along the coast by a French vessel and taken safely to France. Another butchery was near at hand. Word was brought to the Spanish by the Indians that a French fleet had been sighted on the coast toward the south about five or six leagues off. Menendez immediately began to reconnoiter and soon saw the bivouac fires of the ship- HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA wrecked French who endeavored to reach Fort Caroline whose fate was not yet known. Ribaut was farther south strug- gling for the same goal. Of the first par- ties' fate there is no French record. Men- endez here showed his treachery. He made believe he was friendly. He put on the clothes of a sailor, rowed to the French and asked who they were. He was answered: "Followers of Ribaut, Viceroy of the King of France." Menendez asked, "Catholics or Luther- ans?" "All Lutherans," was the reply. The French then asked for assistance and Menendez gave his word of honor for their safety, sending a boat to bring them over. On landing he met them very cour- teously. He kept his followers at a dis- [40] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA tance in order to exaggerate their strength since his number was not more than sixty while the Firench numbered about two hundred. They asked for the loan of a boat and were again asked whether they were Catholics or Luther- ans. Menendez then revealed the fort to be taken, upon which the French asked for vessels to take them home. Menen- dez said that only if they were Catholics would he do this, to Lutherans, never. Right here in order to show how the Hu- guenots were despised it may be well to insert the harangue of Menendez, who hated them with utter contempt. "All Catholics I will befriend but as you are of the New Sect I hold you as enemies and wage deadly war against you ; and this I will do with all cruelty in this country where I command as Vice- [41] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA roy and Captain General for my king. I am here to plant the Holy Gospel that the Indians may be enlightened and come to the knowledge of the Holy Catholic faith of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Ro- man Church teaches us. If you will give up your arms and banner and place your- selves at my mercy you may do so and I will act towards you as God shall give me grace. Do as you will, for other than this you cannot have neither truce nor friendship." The French after vain attempts to save their lives surrendered to the Spanish. They were taken in groups of ten and had their hands tied behind their backs and then were tortured by the Spanish with their harangue. After this they were led to a lonely place, where a line was marked on the sand behind which the French were HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA placed. Now the Spanish began their work of butchery. None was left to tell the story. Several days later Ribaut and his ship- wrecked crew were discovered. Menen- dez and his men showed themselves, whereupon the French formed battle ar- ray. The Spanish, however, kept cool and showed no desire for battle. This had the desired effect. The French blew a trumpet of parley, after which they came over to the Spanish and asked for aid. Menendez treated them well and prom- ised them safety. He gave them a good meal, after which the French asked for their lives. Ribaut, it is said, promised one hundred thousand ducats for those who would surrender. The Spanish leader considered this proposition during the night but in the morning ordered the [43] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA French to be brought over in tens, then he tied their hands behind their backs and led them behind the same ridge where the others had been killed. Some, how- ever, had escaped during the night but those that had surrendered, together with Ribaut, were placed in line. Again they were asked what their religion was and Ribaut answered: "I and all here are of the Reformed faith." Upon this the signal was given and only two lads were saved out of the whole lot. As to those of Ribaut's party who had escaped, word was brought to Menen- dez, soon after, that they were seen en- trenching themselves at Fort Caroline. He set out with a force of some two hun- dred and fifty and upon his reaching the [44] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA fort the French fled panic stricken. He sent his trumpeters to summon them and pledged his honor for their safety. Some surrendered, others would sooner be eaten by the savages than believe anything of Menendez. This time Menendez kept his word. He treated the prisoners kindly and allowed them to eat at his own table. It is true that some of them turned Catho- lics. Thus ended the second French set- tlement in Florida. We have now glanced rapidly over the early French Huguenot settlements in Florida and have observed their doings and their fates. Their unsuccess was due: partly to the French themselves, because they, as in all other colonies, had some among them who were malcontents ; chief- ly, however, to the Spanish under Menen- dez, who destroyed early French Protest- [45] HUGUENOTS IN EARLY FLORIDA antism in America. Had not the Span- ish interfered the Huguenots doubtless would have succeeded in their efforts since they were on a fair road to success when the Spanish swept down on them. As it was, the fates were against the new born faith of the French and so their project came to naught. These settlements, al- though slighted, are in every whit as im- portant and interesting, although unsuc- cessful, as were those of the Puritans later on. Had better fortune attended them and had they not been moved by that greedy desire for gold but had put all their life and soul into the colony, who can say what would have been their ac- complishments? This question will for- ever remain unanswered. [46] TREES AS A MEANS FOR BEAU- TIFYING OUR CITIES TREES AS A MEANS FOR BEAU- TIFYING OUR CITIES NOT until quite recently have the states taken any steps in car- ing for our forests and although the progress made in this line is of neces- sity comparatively slow it is sure to make important advances in the near future. The time is rapidly approaching, and it cannot come too soon, when the states will not only control most of our forest land and care for it but measures will also be taken for the preservation and pro- tection of trees in our cities and smaller towns; that is, where measures along this line have not already been taken by the cities and towns themselves. [49] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES Nothing looks more dreary, dirty, and unhomelike than a city whose streets and vacant spots are treeless. One may well liken such a city to a desert, and indeed on a hot mid-summer's day it is much worse than a desert, dry, dirty, and swel- tering, with nothing to check the beating rays of the sun except, in an unsatisfac- tory degree, the shade of the various buildings. Alas for such a city. Its oc- cupants are indeed to be pitied both on account of their condition and their igno- rance : the former because they are obliged to live in such a place; the latter because they have not realized before the fact that with but little work they could ease their lot by planting fast growing shade trees. The inhabitants of such a city may nearly always be classed with the shiftless and unambitious. Let us now consider how [50] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES trees beautify a city, the kind of trees that should be preferred, and the care which should be given. In the first place let us observe the functions of a tree in a city. Its purposes are, shall we say, above all for the com- fort of the pedestrians. Possibly we all have experienced walking along an un- shaded street in a large city with the tem- perature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the only cooling thing in sight, pos- sibly, a soda fountain. If we have we can all know the thrill of joy which passed through us upon our beholding a nice and cool shade tree in the distance and de- spite the heat rush for the spot. How much pleasanter if such trees were plant- ed all along the street, both for the peo- ple living there, and for the people obliged to do the traveling. In the sec- [51] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES ond place it improves the looks of the city, rendering it more beautiful as we all know full well. No matter what fine resi- dences a town may have; no matter how many monuments or obelisks built of the finest granite, if minus a number of shade trees it does not beautify the situation. In the choice of trees care should be taken in picking those which will pro- duce the best of shade and at the same time make the least bit of work and put on the finest appearance in their growth. Since the main purpose in planting is for shade no slow growing trees should be picked. Not any and every kind of a tree should be planted in any haphazard way. The selection should be made from the stock of a high grade nursery. These give the best results and reward for the labor put into them. The best trees for [52] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES shade in a town are possibly found among the Elms, either the American or the Slip- pery; among the Maples, and of these probably the finest is the Silver and it is the one which is generally preferred, the Norway, the Red, and even the Sugar, makes an excellent shade tree; the Box Elder also makes a satisfactory shade tree. For merely decorating purposes the choice should lie among the Willows and the different kind of Evergreens. The Oak also makes a fairly good shade tree but its method of growth is against its being planted on a street. An Oak tree should be planted in the open, where it has plenty of room to throw out its branches. Where the Oaks should be set out in a city and where they would give the most beautifying appearance is on a triangular plot formed usually where two [53] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES streets come together. Some people think that the Oak is too large to make a good appearance but I think this is a mistake. A town should have at least a couple of trees in it which put on a stately appear- ance. Of all trees the Oak is the most stately and there is most assuredly noth- ing feminine about its appearance. Many people carelessly admire a tree's beauty and appreciate its shade, and, of course, its latent possibilities as timber; but how few of those who have seen the ease with which a great tree is felled realize the wonder of its growth, the years and change that went into its making, and the years and change required before an- other like it can take its place! In the Autocrat Dr. Holmes speaks of a man, with bitterness, who "labored under the delusion that human life is under all cir- [54] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES cumstances to be preferred to vegetable existence" and needlessly had a great tree cut down. "It is so easy to say 'It is only a Poplar' and so much harder to replace its living cone than to build a granite obelisk." A tree which has seen one hundred years we call a patriarch ; and indeed few trees about our great cities live to that time, which in an Oak and Elm should be a stout and hearty middle age, the very prime of life. Of late, it is true, the peo- ple seem to be awakening to the value of these historic witnesses, and are doing what they can to preserve the few scarred relics which we have left. Did I say his- toric witnesses? An old and stately Oak certainly brings to mind at least a few historic events. Whenever I behold an ancient-looking Oak I am carried several [55] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES centuries back to the time when the Red Men were roaming over this country of ours; to the time of the Revolution and before, and I think to myself, "If that tree could speak I wonder what would it say." As to the arrangement of trees in a city nothing is so important. Great care should be taken in the setting of trees. They should not be planted in a crowded appearance, ample space should be grant- ed them for their growth. The planter should bear in mind the fact that sun- light is the essential thing needed by a growing tree in order that it can put on an ideal appearance. They should not be planted in a tenement sort of appearance. A space of from twentyl-five .to about forty feet should be allowed between each tree to secure the best of results. They [56] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES should be planted in a symmetrical or- der, by this I mean that they should not be planted out of line or order. But the planting is not all. After this great care should be taken of the tree. Many peo- ple make the mistake in thinking that after planting nature will do the rest. Not so. Although this is true in some cases it is not so in the majority of cases. There are enemies to be watched and guarded against which the young tree cannot ward of alone and it needs the help of mankind to do this. It is some- thing like a child in this respect. After it has started to grow and after several years of growth useless branches should be cut off, by this I do not mean topping but more of this later on, I mean branches too near the ground and possibly dead branches. The enemies common to young [57] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES trees are insects and animals. Again many people believe that in or- der to produce good shade a tree should be topped. This is erroneous. In the first place it spoils the shape of the tree and makes it put on a scrubby and crip- pled appearance. Sooner than have trees topped have none at all; that is, so far as looks are concerned. In my estimation there is no excuse for topping a tree un- less it be for the purpose of preventing it from coming in contact with electric wires. However, in a well built town the wires should not run through the princi- pal streets, they should be taken along alleys and back streets. Telephone and Telegraph companies should realize this and in most places they do so realize. If the wires cannot be taken down side streets they should be taken underground, [58] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES which is being done in a few of our well- sized cities. Trees also are very good dust check- ers. It is a well-known fact that trees catch and retain the moisture ; however, it is not known for certain whether trees in- crease the rainfall, although some authori- ties claim that they do. By checking the dust they prevent the spread of disease since the disease germs are carried on the dust particles. They maintain a more uniform degree of humidity in the atmos- phere ; if they do not augment the amount of precipitation they equalize the amount of precipitation and its distribution throughout the season. The tree also affords protection against the prevailing winds and for this the Ever- greens are by far the most effective. Take for instance small towns and cities in the [59] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES west which are subject to strong torna- does and hurricanes. Much damage is done to these towns when one of these winds makes its appearance. This could all be prevented by merely planting a number of Evergreens on that side of the town where the prevailing winds are the strongest, which would act as a check and the damage would be reduced to a mini- mum. In order to beautify a city the trees should not only be scattered along the streets but also the vacant spots and the banks of streams should be planted with them. These spots should be set out with trees suited there. They should be mixed. On vacant lots Oaks, Willows and the dif- ferent kinds of Evergreens and Maple do very well. While along the banks of streams Lombardy Poplars and Willows [60] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES help to beautify the scene, and of the Wil- lows the one which produces the most beautiful effect is the Weeping Willow. It is well known that they prefer moist soils and can be propagated with but lit- tle work. All that needs to be done is to cut off a small twig and place it in moist soil and within a very short time a tree of good size and beauty will occupy its place. Also Evergreens can be planted here and produce excellent results. However, the Evergreens will have to be protected in the first couple of years of growth. In the first place they must have a shaded spot to start their growth and also be pro- tected from mud, and secondly they must be protected from an insect called the weevil during its early growth which bores its way into the branches, either kill- ing them or making them put on a stunted [61] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES or gnarled appearance. Also some flow- ering trees such as the magnolia or the lilac suit very well here and greatly help to beautify the place. At present nearly all the cities of a higher grade have a Park Commission, or something that corresponds to a Park Commission, whose duty it is to look after the preservation and the protection of trees. This is done by placing a fine on any person discovered injuring the trees in any manner or form. More might be done in this line if the state would offer more inducements to the people for plant- ing trees and shrubbery in front of their lawns and homes along the sidewalks. Quite true people should realize the beautifying qualities of trees and be will- ing to improve their surroundings by the planting of trees. They should consider [62] TREES FOR BEAUTIFYING OUR CITIES this sufficient inducement. In years to come, when the tree they have planted is a giant and people passing stop and admire it, there is no greater pleasure or satisfaction for them than to say, "Yes, I have planted that tree." [63] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Fine! NOV 12 1947 230ct'48A REC'D LD DEC 13 LD 21-100m-12,'46(A2012sl6)4120 YB 04819 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY