REMARKS 



The weather during October was seasonable in most respects. 

 The mean temperature for the month was 50.2 degrees, the normal 

 being 50.5 degrees. The lowest temperature was 23 degrees on the 

 30th. The first frost of the season occurred on October 15 which is 

 the latest date for first frost recorded at this station. The normal date 

 for the first frost is September 21. The domestic heating load for 

 October was 460 degree-days. This, together with 155 degree-days 

 in September, makes the heating load for the two months 615 degree- 

 days. The normal for this period is 604 degree-days. 



There was a deficiency in rainfall during each of the summer and 

 fall months, beginning with May. As a result many wells went dry 

 and town water supplies were threatened. This shortage of water 

 continued through October until the 25th. Only 1.70 inches of rain 

 fell in October until that date. Rains during the last week brought 

 the total for the month to 4.55 inches. The normal rainfall for 

 October is 3.29 inches. 



There were 159 hours of bright sunshine compared to a normal of 

 175 hours. The highest wind velocity was 39 miles per hour on the 

 28th. 



Dr. J. K. Shaw of the Pomology Department makes the following 

 comment: "The month of October marks the close of the 1939 season 

 for fruits. The season has been generally favorable for the crops. 

 The apple crop was very heavy, especially of Mcintosh, and that of 

 other fruits, fair to good. While the rainfall was deficient at times, 

 causing some injury to shallow-rooted crops, fruits suffered but little 

 from lack of water. There were no unseasonable spring or fall frosts. 

 Hail caused damage in some orchards. The fruit grower should be 

 well satisfied with the season of 1939, except in the very important 

 matter of prices which are discouragingly low." 



