Fire blight is one of the deadliest diseases found in apple and pear trees. It strikes during many phases of the tree's growth and flowering. Outbreaks can occur anywhere but are especially prevalent in the northeastern United States, where periodic outbreaks affect both commercial and backyard orchards.
Only Barbara Henry was willing to teach Bridges, and for over a year Mrs. Henry taught her alone, as if she were teaching a whole class.. That first day, Ruby and her adult companions spent the entire day in the principal's office; the chaos of the school prevented their moving to the classroom until the second day.
Mrs. Henry escorted Ruby and her mother to a classroom on the second floor. There were lots of desks in the room but no other children. Ruby's mother took a seat in the back, Ruby took a seat up front, and Mrs. Henry started to teach Ruby the alphabet. Mrs. Henry was young and white, and Ruby was uneasy at first â she had never spent time with a white person before.