Fourth Grade
Worksheets
Julius Sterling Morton
Arbor Day
Reading Comprehension for April 27
Who is Julius Sterling Morton? What does he have to do with Arbor Day? It all started in Nebraska in the 1800s. J. Sterling Morton loved trees. In 1854, he and his new wife moved to Nebraska. Mr. Morton was going to work for the state's first newspaper. When they arrived, they saw miles and miles of prairie. Where were all the trees?
The Morton's bought some land. They built their home. Then they planted trees. They planted shade trees. They planted shrubs and flowers. They planted an apple orchard.
Mr. Morton became editor of the newspaper. He wrote about trees. He told people that trees were important. Trees gave shade. They stopped erosion. Trees provided wood for fuel and buildings. He wanted people to plant trees too.
