126 



ered them in myriads ; and the crushing them as we carted 

 hay through the woods, is distinctly recollected. 



They disappeared about the third or fourth year, more sud- 

 denly than they came. The trees mostly survived, with many 

 dead limbs. The shrub 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 

 Georgetown ; and this is written in the hope that from some 

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

 brought out. 



About 1620, 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 whether in so 

 doing I prevented a repetition of the former visitation, will 

 never be known. 



The canker-worm of the orchard sometimes infests the elm, 

 but they have been much damaged 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 w'here 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, 



Of the Committee. 



