inson.

MR. WILKINSON: Four years ago at Beltsville, Maryland, Dr. Crane made a
suggestion that someone ought to be the King Nut of the Association. If
I remember, Mr. Stoke immediately took the floor and nominated Dr.
Crane, and he was unanimously elected the Big Nut. One year later he
bestowed that honor on Spencer B. Chase. The next year Mr. Chase passed
it on to Dr. Colby. One year ago Dr. Colby passed it on to me. Now it's
my duty to pass this on to someone else tonight.

Well, I didn't know just exactly how to do it, so I fell back on my
friend, Mrs. Negus for her suggestion. She suggested that the King Nut
should wear a crown, so I said, "Now, that's your suggestion; I will
leave it up to you." So here is the crown she made, with an ornament
from the Chief pecan, which in my opinion today is the king nut of the
Northern Nut Growers Association.

I don't know whose head she measured to make the crown, she didn't tell
me, but it looks to me like it would just about fit George Salzer.
(Applause.) George, it's a pleasure that I pass that on to you as I
received it, and I hope you will wear it for a year or longer (putting
crown on Mr. Salzer's head).

MR. SALZER: Well, they can't say I am big-headed. Why, honestly, folks,
my very good friends of the Association, honestly, I don't know what to
say. This is the greatest honor that I ever thought would come to me. I
always refer to myself as one of the buck privates in the rear rank, and
here I am the King Nut. I will assure you, every one of you that I
really appreciate this, I honestly do, right from the bottom of my
heart.

Ever since I have been a member of this organization and attended the
meetings, I have had the finest times, most pleasant associations and
the closest friends I ever had in my entire life right here among you
people. Thanks a million.

MR. CHASE: Now I think we are entitled to a few words from our new and
best president, Mr. Best.

PRESIDENT BEST: Ladies and gentlemen, it is quite a responsibility to
take this job on again. It's the first time that I have ever questioned
your judgment about anything, but I think there are other people here
that could have done the job better than I could.

When I was asked if I would accept if I were elected, I turned to my
wife, and I said, "Are you willing to do the work again for another
year?" and she said, "Yes, I suppose I'll have to." And I said, "Well,
then, I will accept." There is a lot more t