LADYBUG SAYS ... GARDENERS TURN TO ALMNAC FOR ADVICE

Could it have been an old-timer who said, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb?" It probably was, because it is one of those old homey sayings that has been with us for so very long.

March seems to be a bit different every year. It can have raw, bitter cold days--even sleet and snow. It can be beautiful and spring-like and the flowers pop out of the ground.

If farmers and gardeners wonder when to plant to have the most productive crops where do they seek advice? From the almanac, of course. Scholars believe that the earliest almanacs contained predictions made by ancient Persian astrologers. The earliest ones were said to have been written in about 1300

Almanacs appeared in Colonial America in the 1600's. Poor Richard's Almanac, was first published in 1733 by Benjamin Franklin. The Old Farmer's Almanac dates to about 1792 and still today continues to predict the weather and time to plant, as does Baer's Agricultural Almanac, now in its 161st year. The following information is taken from the latter:

Aries: Ram, Head--A movable fire sign governed by the sun. Seeds, if planted in this sign, produce viens or stalks.

All crops that produce their yield about the surface of the ground should be planted in the new or increased light of the moon to grow vigorously. For best yield grain should be planted in the dark of the moon.

Taurus: Sign of the Bull, and Neck. Fixed earthly sign governed by Mercury. Will do well for all root crops of quick growth.

All root crops that produce their yield in the ground should be planted in the old or decreased light of the moon to produce a good yield.

Gemini: Sign of Heavenly Twins and Arms--Barren sign. Good sign to plant melon seeds. A good sign to stir the soil to subdue all obnoxious weeds. Plants that produce their yield above the ground be planted in any sign of the upper body parts.

Cancer: Sign of Crab, Fish and Breast--A watery, fruitful, movable sign; germination is rapid. It is favorable to growth and insures an abundant yield.

Full moon is a good time to plant beans. If Cancer comes at a time of the new moon, it is a good time to plant lentils. If the day follows the new moon, peas will grow quickly, have abundant flowers and yield. Peas, if sown immediately after the second quarter, will bear but little. If sown a day or two after the full moon peas will bloom and fruit in abundance, but have no yield. If sown a day or two after the full moon is out, they will do little more than break through the ground.

If Cancer comes just before the full of the moon, it is a good time to plant or prune fruit trees. Cancer is also a good earth sign to prune grape vines.

Leo: The sign of the Lion and Heart. A barren fiery sign. It is favorable only to the destruction of noxious growth. Weeds, briars, and bushes cut off in the old of the moon in August, when its place is in Leo (the sign of the Lion), will be more certainly destroyed than if done at any other time.

The timber cut in the old of the moon in August will not be eaten by worms nor snap in burning, but will last much longer than if cut at any other time.

Virgo: The sign of Virgin and Bowels. This is a barren sign. The bloom of flower girl, makes many and beautiful flowers, but is unfavorable to the growth of seed or transplants.

Libra: The sign of Balance, Scales and Reins. A strong movable sign. Seeds planted at this time produce vigorous pulp growth and roots and a reasonable amount of grain.

Scorpio: The sign of Scorpion, Secrets and Loins--A fruitful sign producing watery effects. A good sign to plant corn.

Sagittarius: The sign of Archer, Bowman and the Things. This is a fiery masculine sign. Plants will not do well as it is not a favorable time to plant or transplant. If the moon is dark or on the wane, radishes or potatoes may be planted, as root crops are said to do well if planted in signs of lower parts of the body.

Capricorn: The sign of Goats and Knees. This is a moist, movable sign, produces rapid growth of pulp stalks or roots, but not much grain.

Aquarius: The sign of Waterman and Legs. An airy masculine sign. Seeds do not grow well. Do not plant seed as it will rot and is only to be thrown away.

Pisces: The sign of Fish and Feet. This a watery feminine sign. Plants will produce excellent results and it is one of the best signs for producing the fruit of the earth.

Being a watery sign, it assists vegetation to withstand a drought. This is an especially good sign if the moon is dark or on the wane. This is a good sign to make sauerkraut.

It is said that fish bit best during the signs of the Fish, Crab and Scorpion. Fish at night in the light of moon, but not in the day time. Fish in the daytime in the dark of the moon, as fish cannot see in the dark of the moon and are hungrier in the daytime.

So says Baer's Agriculture Almanac.