In Our Own Backyard

Much to think about and many memories!! ["In Our Own Backyard," spring 1997] Had the fun of working in the arboretum in the fall of '36. Also came back to plant a few trees 50 years later in 1988.

Times change and sometimes for the better. In the period before WWII no student would be caught dead on a bicycle. We had to do a lot of walking and, being at the height of the Depression, automobiles were a scarce item on campus.

So thanks for the memory!

R.C. Dick March '38
dmarch16@aol.com

I appreciate every issue of the magazine, as I receive them. However, this time, we ancients feel neglected. On page 18 of the spring 1997 issue you state, "So on the first Cal Aggie Labor Day, Feb. 29, 1936...". I graduated in 1933 and definitely remember working on "Cal Aggie Labor Day" on Feb. 29, 1932, when we installed a sprinkler system on the Quad. Up until that time the Quad was planted with alfalfa and flood irrigated.

Otherwise I appreciate the accuracy of most of your items, and at long intervals, I find some reference to one of us "ancients."

I would like to hear from any of my contemporaries.

L. Thornton "Tony" Powell
Halfway, Ore.

Editor's Note:"Ancient" or no, your memory is better than ours. You're right; we've since found references to Labor Day as early as 1924. We'd like to hear from readers who can tell us when and how the practice was started.