Letter From Fred Kettler
Platteville, Wisconsin
In regard to the Kettler walnut tree here: It seems to be gradually dying; has many dead branches, which is caused by the drought we have had the last few years. We should get 25 to 30 inches rainfall a year and we had only 8 or 10 last year and about that same amount this year. The ground is wet down only about 15 inches on top. Below that it is dry.
The old tree had quite a few nuts on this year. However, most of them were blown off by a cyclone six weeks ago. There is about a peck of nuts on the tree now.
All walnuts here are only half a crop on account of the June beetle and the weather conditions, and they are quite small nuts, the weather being so dry.
I grafted 150 of the Wisconsin No 1, or Kettler walnut. It was boiling hot here in April and May and it again spoiled it for me. We watered them every day and shaded them, but the heat and dry, hot dirt was too much. All were grafted on young yearling trees close to the ground where I covered them with dirt. Many started, but died later; anyway, I succeeded in getting six more nice trees started (one to three feet tall now). My tree from last year is about five feet tall and made some side branches; so you see I am getting started. I doubt if I can get any graft wood from the old tree next spring.
We are in the nursery business just in a small way. We have only the best of varieties.
I have discovered also a thin-shell hickory nut with a wonderful meat. I don't know if I will get any of the nuts this year as they have been stealing them every year, I am told by the man who owns it. I succeeded in getting one growing on a young pecan tree I had. I think it is even better than my walnut. I enclose one with a this year walnut sample. The hickory is a last year sample.
What our country needs is timber on every farm from one acre to ten acres, according to size of farm, all over the United States. Then we will get more rain. That would be a real crop control—instead of destroying crops like the New Deal is doing. Planting a strip of timber from Canada to the Gulf will not help anyone. We believe the "brain-trusters" need a doctor.
Telegram
Sept. 11, 1934.
Dear Dr. Morris:
The Northern Nut Growers' Association is in session in the W. K. Kellogg Hotel, Battle Creek, Michigan. The members present are reminded that this is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Association. It recalls with interest the first meeting held in New York City, which was called to order by Dr. Deming, at which you became charter President, Mr. T. P. Littlepage of Washington, charter Vice President, Dr. Deming, charter Secretary.
It is the unanimous feeling of the present membership that the society for which you and the others so ably laid the foundation at that time has been abundantly justified by the accomplishments of the organization. We are especially indebted to you for the able leadership from you which the Association enjoyed, not only while you served in an executive capacity, but during the many years which followed while you were an active leading member, and now for approximately ten years during which you have been Dean.
We regret that impaired health makes it impossible for you to attend meetings at present, but we assure you that your name is not being forgotten nor is the work which you inaugurated being allowed to lapse.
(Signed by the members present.)