The old college elm which for over a hundred years has stood, in the quadrangle between Harvard Hall, Hollis Hall, and Holden Chapel will not be entirely destroyed. For several years the branches have been gradually cut off as the brown tail moths and beetles attacked it until today only the trunk itself remains. This has been scraped and after being well-oiled and painted will have ivy planted about it.
For many years the Class Day exercises now held in the Stadium took place around the elm although some ten years ago they were transferred to the plot about the John Harvard statue, and later to the Stadium. In the days of the tree exercises the Seniors appeared in football clothes to scramble for wreaths of flowers high in its branches. Many small wreaths were part way up, and one large one above all which was the prize of the day.
The old elm will never see such festivities again but will remain for graduates an ivy-covered memorial of past days until the rotting of its roots force its final destruction.
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Morning Prayers
