Dutch elm disease, which had first become serious in Lawrence in 1959, had reached epidemic proportions two years later. The city had begun spraying trees with DDT in 1960 and 1961, but although this method had been fairly effective, it had become very unpopular by 1970. The disease had killed at least 700 Lawrence trees since its first appearance in 1947. As of this date in 1970, 175 more trees were marked for removal by the city. City authorities warned residents that it was illegal to cut and stack dead elm wood in their yards, as the wood piles were excellent breeding grounds for the elm bark beetles causing the disease.

Chester Thompson was pictured displaying some of the giant radishes he raised in his garden. His special technique for growing this crop was “plant them in the ground and let them grow.” Some of the radishes pictured exceeded fifteen inches in length.