62 Field, Forest, and Wayside Flowers 



of its principal branches, and there results an out- 

 growth of the tough, lithe osiers from which baskets 

 and chair-seats are woven. 



The willow is about the first of our native 

 trees to put forth foliage. The elm, ash, and oak 

 canny northerners all are late, and their leafing 

 has given rise to some quaint rural sayings. The 

 peasantry of the old world have been accustomed 

 from time immemorial to arrange their farming 

 pursuits according to indications given by certain 

 trees and flowers. " The leafing of the elm," 

 says Thistleton Dyer, " has for generations been 

 made to regulate agricultural doings, and hence the 

 old rule: 



* When the elmen-leaf is as big as a mouse's ear, 

 Then to sow barley never fear.' " 



With which may be compared another piece of 

 weather-lore : 



"Whenthe oak puts on his gosling gray, 

 Tis time to sow barley night or day." 



The oak and the ash come into leaf almost 

 together, and rural folk used to watch the trees 

 to find out whether the coming summer would be 

 a rainy or a dry one. 



" If the oak is out before the ash, 

 'Twill be a summer of wet and splash ; 



