REMARKS 



The weather during- April was dry and warm, quite simihir to 

 April 1941 although not quite as extreme. The mean temperature 

 for the month was 49.7 degrees, the normal heing 45.7 degrees. 

 Last year, April had a mean temperature of 52.1 degrees. The 

 domestic heating load of the month was 458 degree-days, compared 

 to a normal of 579 degree-days. The total heating load for the 

 season to the end of April is 5938 degree-days whereas the normal 

 for this period is 6511 degree-days. The total precipitation for the 

 month was .96 of an inch. Last year only .55 of an inch of rain 

 fell in April. Five inches of snow fell during the month. The 

 normal rainfall for April is 3.35 inches. The total precipitation 

 since January 1st is now 14.05 inches, the normal for these four 

 months heing 13.85 inches. There were 245 hours of bright sun- 

 shine. The normal sunshine for April is 220 hours. 



Dr. J. K. Shaw, Research Professor of Pomology, makes the 

 following comments: "The past winter was not severe, yet there 

 was some injury to fruit plants. The hardier varieties of jK-aches 

 came through with ]:)lenty of live fruit buds, hut those of tender 

 varieties, such as Elherta. were all killed. The amount of killing 

 will vary with different orchards; therefore, the peach crop will 

 be small and spotty depending on the site and varieties. Raspberry 

 canes show considerable winter injury, especially among the more 

 tender varieties. As last year, this season is now far advanced and 

 with little rainfall. Vegetation is at just about the same stage as 

 it was a year ago. Last year was, on the whole, very favorable to 

 fruit plants. If, as last year, we escape a too prolonged drought 

 and spring frosts, fruit crops, except peaches and raspberries, should 

 be good. Apple trees are beginning to bloom plentifully. Frost in- 

 jury to blossoms and young apples is unusual in this area, but the 

 earlier the bloom, the more danger of frost injury. Mcintosh trees 

 are especially full of bloom." 



