PLANTS PREDICT WEATHER 101 
points toward its god, and is second only to the 
compass-plant as a floral compass. 
Sunflower farming is common in many parts 
of the world—especially is this true in Russia, 
where in the present generation the sunflower has 
become a prominent product of most of the farms. 
It is extensively used for food, the seeds being 
crushed and made into a coarse bread; it makes 
excellent fuel; and it is cultivated also for its oil. 
The fact that it does not exhaust the soil where 
it grows but, on the other hand, actually enriches 
it, makes it an invaluable product. 
In addition to the weather-prophet and way-find- 
ing plants, Nature has her almanac, whose pages 
are illustrated with dainty pinks and blues, with 
brilliant reds and oranges, with stately purples. 
To the lover of the fields and woods, the arti- 
ficial reckoners of time and events that are in com- 
mon use by mankind become largely superficial 
means to ends already attained through the more 
. sweet and graceful guides provided by Dame Na- 
ture. Certainly the times and seasons are recog- 
nisable by the decorations and carpetings of wood- 
land and meadow. This is a generally accepted 
fact. Hardly realising the definite action, we all 
assign to the different seasons their own atmos- 
