REMARKS 



While the month produced no record highs for mildness it did 

 couple a low heating load to the season's already low figure which was 

 appreciated by the householder. At the mean midpoint of the heating 

 season which fell on the 22nd. less than 3000 degree days had ac- 

 cumulated. Late season severe weather which could follow can still 

 bring the seasonal figure up, but will likely run less than average Tor 

 the season. 



Precipitation at an accunuilated 4.33 inches of water is somewhat 

 above the mean of 3.61 inches for the month and will aid in replacing 

 the ground water deficit which has been accumulating over the past 

 18 months of below mean rainfall. 



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

 following report "There has been little visible swelling of peach buds 

 in the University orchard thus far and the number of live buds at 

 present gives promise of a good crop. There is reason to believe, how- 

 ever, that sub-zero temperatures after this date would cause more 

 damage than in early winter. More than 800 hours of temperatures 

 below 45^ are required to bring peach trees out of their winter rest 

 period, and thus set the stage for a response to warmer weather. 

 Around 40° they go through their rest period most rapidly. Above 

 45°, and also at temperatures much below freezing, the process is 

 slowed up. Recause of this situation, peach buds in Massachusetts 

 have not responded as much to the mild January weather as one might 

 suppose. 



A few comments concerning other fruits may also be of interest. 

 Apple and pear buds are still apparently in a strictly dormant stage. 

 It is doubtful if any bud injury has occurred. An occasional case of 

 bark splitting on the trunk may be traced to late stimulation and 

 retard maturity. All raspberry varieties are probably out of their 

 winter rest period, and there has been some evidence of tip-killing on 

 canes of tender varieties, such as Washington. Strawberry plants, 

 if protected by a layer of suitable mulch material, and in good con- 

 dition. The absence of a snow cover during most of the winter season, 

 has left unmulched plantings exposed to rather wide extremes of 

 temperature. This condition may be reflected in damaged plants and 

 a smaller crop of berries next June." 



