The Importance of Phenoloyical Observations 43 



task to compile them. The lack of uniformity is shown in the 

 fact that many records are for one function only, such as flowering 

 or leafing. Moreover, some of the records are for the beginning 

 of a function and others are the dates when this function be- 

 came general. In some instances records are for individual trees 

 and in others it is the average date for all the individual trees 

 in the vicinity of the observer. 



These considerations, together with the general need for such 

 observations, have made it seem necessary not only to encourage 

 the making of such records but to suggest a plan for making them 

 in a uniform manner. The Forest Service has therefore pre- 

 pared a blank for recording such data, on the backs of which 

 complete instructions for making the records are given. These 

 blanks will be furnished to any responsible person who wishes to 

 make such records, with the understanding that the Service will 

 receive either the original or duplicate of all records made. The 

 blank as now printed calls for the following information : Spe- 

 cies ; Period covered by observations ; Name of observer ; Resi- 

 dence ; State ; County and Town ; General character of the coun- 

 try ; Situation of trees ; Approximate elevation above sea level ; 

 Location of nearest Weather Bureau Station ; Character of season ; 

 Dates of swelling of buds ; bursting of buds ; beginning of leafing 

 out; General leafing out; Beginning of blossoming; General blos- 

 soming; Change in color of foliage; Beginning of leaf falling; 

 End of leaf falling; Beginning of seed ripening; General seed 

 ripening; Beginning of seed falling; End of seed falling; Quan- 

 tity of seed ; Quality of seed ; and General remarks. 



The lack of continuity of the records has also shown that 

 the work at different stations should be in the hands of institu- 

 tions rather than some individual enthusiast. In Canada for 

 years the public schools have been recording the advent of spring 

 and the approach of autumn by noting the seasonal changes as 

 recorded by plants and animals. Such a plan put into effect for 

 the trees of this country by the colleges would result eventually 

 in securing scientific data of inestimable value not only to those 

 interested in the subject from the forestry or botanical standpoint 

 but also from the standpoint of the meteorologist or climatologist. 



The securing of these records should certainly be under- 

 taken at the forest schools of the country not only for the useful 

 data that may be secured which may be of local interest but for 

 the training that the making of these observations give. No one 

 can go out and watch the trees carefully enough to get the records 

 desired without noting many more things as well. As before 



