CULTURE OF TREES. 121 



dead limbs. The slirub oak was entirely stripped of leaves. I 

 write from distinct and rather bitter recollection of what was 

 then considered a great calamity, which excited much attention 

 and many fears. Being but a boy, my observations extend only 

 over the immediate neighborhood, in the west part of George- 

 town ; and this is written in the hope that from some old 

 almanac, newspaper, or diary, a better account may be brought 

 out. 



About 1820, I discovered at the road-side, in Groveland, a 

 small tree bent down with the weight of some hundreds of the 

 genuine article. I destroyed every one ; and whetlier in so 

 doing I prevented a repetition of the former visitation, will 

 never be known. 



The canker-worms of the orchard sometimes infest the elm. 

 It has been much damaged by them in this vicinity. 



The blast which a few years ago invaded the plane tree or 

 button-wood, has not, I believe, been satisfactorily explained. 

 The tree remained perfectly healthy, and the damage occurred 

 to the new growth as it put forth its tender leaves each year, 

 leaving an unsightly knot where it attempted to produce its 

 broad leaves. I examined many of these knots, but could never 

 detect the living worm, though I was satisfied that the whole 

 mischief was then and there, and perpetuated by a minute worm 

 or insect, whose presence and operations it was difficult to " 

 detect or prevent. Its work seems to have ceased in this 

 vicinity. 



Jeremiah Spofford. 



BRISTOL. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



While it is nature's purpose to reproduce and multiply, it has 

 been our work to circumscribe and destroy. This work of 

 destruction is constantly going on. On every hand is heard the 

 woodman's axe, decimating our forests, demolishing the scanty 

 remnant of the older growth among us, and with grub-axe and 

 plough extirpating, root and branch, every chance seedling 

 whigh a wise economy has planted for germination and growth. 



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