103 



Park Commissioners are personal friends of mine, and I have no doubt 

 but what the matter can be carried through. Supplementing the re- 

 marks of Mr. Bixby, Mr. Jones, Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Littlepage, 

 they have given me nuts, and I propose to take all of these samples 

 and place them on the table in the library of Decatur so the general 

 public can see them, and then through the press, through Mr. Schaub's 

 paper, have the public notified that this exhibition is there and the}' 

 can see for themselves what can be produced in Macon County. The 

 county is only 555 square miles. There are 20,000 acres of land in 

 that countv alone that is good for notliing but pasture. If any small 

 quantity of that land can be put into nut bearing forests it will be 

 a credit to this association, the value of which cannot be refuted. 



The Secretary: Illinois is a big state and we are proud of it. 

 I am in favor of anj'thing Mr. Spencer says in favor of the arboretum. 



The President: The subject that Mr. Spencer has told us about 

 is one of the objects of our association, that is to secure the planting 

 of nut trees in places where the trees will have perpetual care. The 

 subject is open for discussion. It is a large one and I do not know 

 that we will be able to give him any definite information as to the 

 number of nut trees that should be planted. The subject is open for 

 discussion and the passing of any resolution. 



Dr. Smith: ^Ir. Chairman, I move that the following resolution 

 be adopted: 



"The Northern Nut Growers Association strong-ly com- 

 mends Mr. Spencer's idea of a collection of nut trees in the 

 parks of Decatur, believing the matter will be one of great 

 interest to the people of the town, a matter of civic beauty, 

 with great possibilities of large economic value for the 

 future." 



Dr. Zimmerman : I second the motion. 



(Resolution passed by unanimous vote). 



Dr. Zimmerman : It appears to me that as you are in the chestnut 

 tree district out there it might be wise to just keep in mind the possi- 

 bility of bringing in the chestnut blight during this work. 



Mr. Spencer: There are no chestnut trees in Illinois that were 

 not raised in Illinois. 



