RE^IARKS 



The weather for the month of January was characterized by 

 its mildness in comparison with the same month of last year. With 

 a mean daily temperature of 31.8 degrees for the month, this was 

 the warmest January since 193;3, but the maximum of 55 degrees 

 was reached in 194?. The householder noticed the effect on his 

 purchased fuel with a heating' load of 1029 degree-days for the 

 month and a cumulative load of 3128 for the season. Normal for 

 the month and season are 1265 and 3817 degree-days respectively, 

 while a year ago these values stood at 1459 degree-days for the 

 month and 3932' for the season. 



The fall of snow was slightly above normal, with total preci- 

 pitation nearly an inch above normal for the month. Following 

 the fall on the 31st, the month ended with 10.5 inches of snow on 

 the ground. While the rainfall at the end of the previous month 

 had relieved anxiety over short water supply for wells, the !nore 

 than average precipitation and the snow blanket assured good 

 ground w^ter supply for the remainder of the winter. These com- 

 bine'! with less than normal wind movement relieved vegetation of 

 danger of dessication which could have taken place had the rel- 

 atively mild temperatures been accompanied by drought conditions. 



W. H. Thies, Extension Professor of Horticulture, contributes 

 the following report: "The effect on fruit buds of an unseasonably 

 mild winter is of interest to fruit growers and consumers alike. 

 Recent warm weather has caused some swelling of fruit buds al- 

 though apples and pears have apparenth' developed less than 

 peaches." 



According to J. S. Bailey, "Peach fruit buds appear large for 

 this time of year. This is not surprising since the winter rest pe- 

 riod ended several weeks ago. The warm weather has also caused 

 internal changes which make the buds more susceptible to winter 

 injury. Should really cold weather come, however, there may still 

 be little injury if the temperature drops slowly; if it drops rapidly 

 to several degrees below zero, severe injury may be expected. 



"On February 4 there. were practically no dead buds in the Uni- 

 versity peach orchard. If 10 to 15^/c of the buds are alive on Wash- 

 ington's Birthday, the chances for a crop are excellent." 



