1 62 Gardening 



ranged in a form useful for ready reference in the chart 

 on page 350. 



Practical use of these maps and charts. Judging the 

 probable date of the latest frost in spring helps the gar- 

 dener to determine when to prepare hotbeds and cold 

 frames and when to sow seeds for plants that are to be 

 transplanted to the garden. 



Knowing the temperature needs of the various crops 

 and the probable or average date of latest frost helps the 

 gardener to judge when to plant seeds or transplant 

 seedlings in the open ground during spring. 



Knowing also the probable date of the first frosts in 

 autumn and the length of time the crops require for 

 maturity will enable the gardener to plant for late or 

 follow crops at the best time. 



Local records of frost dates. The gardener should 

 keep an accurate record of the frost dates the earliest 

 in autumn and the latest in spring from year to year. 

 Such a record can easily be kept at the public school 

 of the locality in connection with garden work, or with 

 studies of physical geography or elementary science. 



Reliable local records give an opportunity to correct 

 the general maps, which cannot show local conditions. 



The longer such records are kept, the more valuable 

 they become for judging the average or probable dates 

 of frost. In connection with these records, it will be 

 helpful to keep notes regarding varieties planted, plant- 

 ing dates, date when first of crop is gathered, quantity 

 and quality of yield, and special treatment given in 

 respect to culture or fertilizers. Such data will help the 

 gardener later, in planning for the next year's garden, in 



