REMARKS 



The mean daily temperature during March was 3.8 °F. above 

 normal. This is the fifth consecutive month that the mean tempera- 

 ture has been above normal. The cumulative degree days for the 

 heating season through March is 5132 degree days compared to the 

 normal of 5876. 



The rainfall during March was 8.28 inches ; this is 4.58 inches above 

 normal and is the most rainfall recorded in March since the start of 

 our records in 1889. The rainfall occurred on 15 days; the maximum 

 in 24 hours was 1.77 inches. The rainfall during March was the most 

 for any month since the September 1938 hurricane. Dr. Ives of 

 Amherst College points out that water accumulation since January 1 is 

 about 70 percent above normal. 



Dr. Frank Southwick of the Pomology Department makes the 

 following remarks : 



"Mild temperatures were experienced during January, February, 

 and March. Fruit plants appear to have come through the winter 

 with virtually no signs of winter injury. In Mcintosh apple blocks 

 where the crop was light in 1952, it can now be seen that a very heavy 

 bloom is going to occur. Peaches apparently will bloom heavily, also. 

 At the end of March, apple flower buds had commenced to swell but 

 were still in suitable condition for a dormant spray application. The 

 almost continuous rain period during the latter part of March made 

 spraying and crop planting difficult or impossible, however." 



Publication of This Document Approved by George J. Cronin. State Purchasing Agent. 



