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Exact Copy Martinez, Cal. Jan. 10, 1913. Mr. Asa K. McIlhaney, Bath, Penn. Dear Sir; I thank you for your fine letter,
but in reply I can't tell which of all God's trees I like best though I should write a big book trying to. Sightseers often
ask me which is best, the Grand Canon of Arizona or Yosemite. I always reply that I know a show better than either of them--both
of them. Anglo-Saxon folk have inherited love for oaks heathers. Of all I know of the world's 250 oaks perhaps I like best
the macrocarpa chrysolepis, lobata, Virginiana, agrifolia, and Michauxii. Of the little heather folk my favorite is Cassiope.
Of the trees of the family the Menzies arbutus, one of the world's great trees. The Hickory is a favorite genus. I like them
all, the pecan, the best. 05350