the expression of such a splendidly magnanimous nature
I began to wonder, if a lady was willing to perform such a noble act,
why should not the association elaborate on the worthy plan along the
lines I have suggested. And with more members, and, thereby, more money,
we can do it. Then The Northern Nut Growers' Association will be doing a
real thing, something tangible, something that will attract new members
in a way nothing else would, because people would then be able to see
the living evidence of the practicability of our ideals. We could start
in a small way, and grow. After long and earnest thought on the subject
I came to the conclusion that it was worthy of our consideration.

From Mrs. Ellwanger's reference to "Johnny Appleseed" I believe that she
found precedent for her nut tree nursery initiative in the work of
inestimable value to posterity done by that same worthy. If the legend
be true, he worked with much happiness of heart, but not more so than
that of Mrs. Ellwanger, I am sure you will agree, when I tell you that
many of her nursery trees are growing from nuts she garnered from
roadside and field trees manifesting some exceptional trait, or
indicating rare strain.

And I cannot refrain from urging action to the end of influencing our
other states to pattern after good old Michigan in our effort to enact
legislation, as she has done, providing for planting our roadsides with
nut-bearing trees. It is something tangible, like this, that really
counts. I believe that it is a fundamental of life, and living, that
precedent, pro or con, is invaluable as governing subsequent action
along similar lines. Here we have, in Michigan's action, a most worthy
precedent, and I can think of no good reason why OUR other states should
not do likewise. And I believe that this association, functioning
efficiently, can exert the necessary influence to bring about a similar
condition in OUR other states. My emphasis of the word OUR means The
Northern Nut Growers' Association's states, you know.

I just wish to mention in passing that the author and collaborator,
respectively, of the Michigan roadside planting of nut trees legislation
are our esteemed members, Senator Harvey A. Penny and the Hon. William
S. Linton, both of Saginaw, Mich.

In closing I desire to refer to our wealth, as an association, in
scientific lore. The association is particularly well equipped in having
a faculty, so to speak, than which there is none