26 



Riehl manifested her interest in the attempt by donating the fifth 

 tree. 



The trees were planted in November, 1926. All are living and 

 growing vigorously; one has blooms on three out of four branches. 



The next attempt at publicity was prompted by an invitation to 

 attend an apple show. Why not have a nut show ? An appeal was 

 made to W. G. Bixby, of Baldwin, New York; J. F. Jones, Lancaster, 

 Pa.; J. F. Wilkinson of Rockport, Indiana; Amelia Riehl of God- 

 frey, Illinois ; O. H. Casper of Anna, Illinois ; Whitf ord Brothers of 

 Farina, Illinois, and Conrad Vollertsen of Rochester, New York. Each 

 responded at once and as a result, in the Public Library of Decatur, 

 Illinois, on a table near the main entrance were displayed nine varie- 

 ties of chestnuts, two pecans, two hiccans, five black walnuts, three 

 shellbark and three shagbark hickories, chinkapins, butternuts, Ja}^- 

 anese walnuts, Japanese heartnuts, hazelnuts and filberts, all grown in 

 Illinois. With those sent from other states forty-three specimen plates 

 of nuts were exhibited. 



The next adventure in publicity was a request to the City Council of 

 the Federation of Parent-Teachers Associations to plant nut trees on 

 Arbor Day, on the grounds of the public schools with appropriate cere- 

 monies. The oak is the emblem of the Council, and it decided to plant a 

 red oak as its contribution to Arbor Day, but recommended planting 

 nut trees for the pleasure of the children upon the school grounds. 

 This was done at six of the schools. 



Arbor and Bird Days are fixed for some time in April or October 

 by proclamation by the governor. An appeal was made to Governor 

 Small to call attention to nut trees for Arbor Day, especially when 

 so many kinds are native of Illinois. 



His response was pleasing and prompt. He designated April 8th 

 as Arbor Day, and October 7th as Bird Day. In his proclamation he 

 inserted this paragraph; 



"I would particularly direct attention to the advantage of plant- 

 ing trees which produce edible nuts. Our soil in many places is well 

 adapted to the production of all the varieties common to the temperate 

 zone and I believe that such trees at maturity will prove not only 

 sources of pleasure but also of profit to their owners." 



