164 Gardening 



these with the averages on your map. Write to the United States 

 Weather Bureau and get the record of frost dates at the observa- 

 tion station nearest your home. 



2. To learn to determine planting time by the advancement of 

 vegetation. The Indians ha<} no Weather Bureau records, but 

 they judged of the proper time for planting by the advancement of 

 the vegetation. "When the oak leaves are as big as a mouse's 

 ear, then plant corn," is the rule they gave the New England 

 settlers. Observe the early flowers and shrubs that are in bloom 

 and the buds and leaves on different kinds of trees as each vege- 

 table is planted. A record of these observations will be most 

 helpful in judging the variation in planting dates required by the 

 differences in seasons. 



