Transcription:
Larkspur, April 27, 1903. Dear Mr. Muir: You remember, I promised to write and let you and Mrs. Muir and the young ladles
know when the ceanothus was in bloom, at Its best, that they might come and see it if they wished. Well, in a few days It
will all be out. I should say that beginning about Thursday or Friday and for a week after a that the show of blooms will
be the fullest and grandest. But, I regret very much to say, It Is not as fine this year as when you were here before. A ravaging
band of caterpillars destroyed the leafage of many of the trees last summer and they died by hundreds. Tin ceanothus, as you
know, is not very tenacious of life, and cannot stand being stripped of leaves. Still the display Is very beautiful and it
is the best we have had any year except last. Some of the trees rear our porch are masses of purplish blue. If the ladles
come, we shall, of course, expect you to come with them. You will be interested in the madronos which are in finer and fuller
bloom than I have ever seen illegible 03225