4

Concord, Mass.
1916
April 4
to
July 9

together with a few early apple trees - a most unusual thing to
witness. During the next day [May 17, 1916] the apple orchards generally became
pink and white with crowded blossoms although these did not all
open until somewhat later. We did not spray them until the
27th [May 27, 1916] when most of the petals had fallen. Spraying of forest
trees began with us on June 1 [June 1, 1916] although scarce any of them
were then in full leaf. It was so constantly interrupted
or delayed by heavy rains that it was not finished until
June 21 [June 21, 1916]. There were almost no Brown-tails to contend with
this year and comparatively few Forest or Common Tent
caterpillars, but those of the Gypsy Moth swarmed by millions
throughout most of our deciduous woods, stripping countless
trees including some that had been carefully sprayed
- for even the best arsenate of lead could not retain
much effectiveness when so often exposed to drenching
rains immediately after being applied to the foliage.