164 Gardening 
these with the averages on yourmap. Write tothe 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 had 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. 
