REMARKS 



The weather for May was sHghtly colder than normal, with a 

 little more precipitation than usual. 



The mean temperature for the month was 56.1 degrees, while 

 the normal for May is 57.1 degrees. The highest temperature dur- 

 ing the month was 87 degrees on the 13th and 24th; the lowest, 

 28 degrees on the 10th. The domestic heating load for the month 

 was 277 degree-days, compared to the normal of 207 degree-days 

 for May. The heating load for the season to the end of May is now 

 6310 degree-days, while the normal for this period is 6778 degree- 

 days. 



The total precipitation for the month was 4.63 inches, most 

 of which fell in two storms: 1.00 inch on the 3rd and 2.10 inches on 

 the 25th. The normal precipitation for May is 3.60 inches. Thun- 

 der and lightning occurred on the 25th and 29th. Rain fell on 14 

 days. In May, 1945 rain fell on 20 days. There were 225 hours of 

 bright sunshine. The normal for May is 252 hours. 



Dr. J. K. Shaw of the Pomology Department makes the fol- 

 lowing comments: "For the fourth successive year the Massachu- 

 setts apple crop has been injured by spring frosts. There is no 

 record of such a condition as far back as records go. Unlike the 

 previous two years, the program of vegetation was retarded; fruit 

 bloom was a week or ten days later than normal instead of three or 

 four weeks early. Several cold mornings in late April and in May 

 killed many apple blossoms, some in the early cluster bud stage and 

 some later. Rloom was less than the heavy bloom of last year. 

 The apple crop in low lying orchards will be much reduced but we 

 may hope that the total crop will be considerably more than last 

 year. Much wet weather favored scab development and only 

 thoroughly sprayed orchards of susceptible varieties can escape 

 severe scab injury. Severe frost damage is reported from more 

 southern areas and it looks as though the 1947 eastern apple crop 

 will be below normal. 



"There was little or no injury to peaches and pears, and full 

 crops are in prospect. Early strawberry bloom was killed, thus re- 

 tarding the crop, but present indications are for a good crop." 



