27 



This same request was also made of the governors of several other 

 states. Most of the executives referred it to the horticultural depart- 

 ments and what was done never was reported to this office. 



The letter to the Governor of Kentucky was referred to the State 

 Forester, Mr. Fred B. Merrill of Frankfort. His department was 

 not only interested in the idea but wanted to know where the nuts 

 might be sold, as large quantities of black walnuts grow in that state 

 and are wasted, as no market facilities for the producers have been 

 developed. Mr. Merrill became a member of this association. 



About this time it became apparent that somebody was advertising 

 the details of the contest for the best black walnut. As soon as the 

 details came to the secretary he forwarded copies of the rules of the 

 contest to the secretary of the State Board of Horticulture and he very 

 kindly published the same in the monthly bulletin of that depart- 

 ment. This bulletin goes to all parts of Illinois and to the office of 

 similar boards in other states. 



The rules of the contest were sent to the presidents of several rail- 

 roads which serve territory in wliich walnut trees grow. The Illinois 

 Central Railroad and the Wabash Railway each published these in their 

 magazines. Copies of these go to their agents, shippers, stockholders 

 and the press. This aided the publicity campaign. 



Fifteen hundred circulars were distributed telling the plans of 

 this association and what its ambitions were, also giving reasons why 

 the reader should join and support the organization. 



The result of this publicity was a flood of letters asking for the 

 names of nurserymen who grew nut trees. Others wanted to know 

 how to grow them, when to plant them, how to bud them, what was 

 a fair price for nut-meats, etc., etc. One lady wanted to know if 35c 

 per pound was a fair price. Another said she was getting tired of 

 cracking walnuts with a hammer and a brick and asked information 

 about nut cracking machinery. 



Those who think no interest is being taken in nut trees nor in the 

 activities of this association have been misinformed. 



Among the dozens of letters asking for instruction on various points 

 of the nut industry was a letter from Portland, Oregon, stating that 



