2016 USRETFA (FINAL) copy

Since 1818
FARMERS’
A LM A NAC
F O R T H E Y E A R
2 016
Being bissextile, or leap year, and until the
Fourth of July, the 240 th year of the Independence of the United States
Edited by Peter Geiger, Philom., and Managing Editor, Sondra Duncan, Philom.,
Successors to Ray Geiger, Philom., and David Young, Philom.
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Can Tea Improve Your Memory? • Best Days in 2016 to
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& Ball of Twine • Plus: Other Tips, Tricks, and Ideas on
Ways to Grow Your Life in the Direction You Want!

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Farmers’Almanac
Calculated for the United States
for the year of our Lord
2
2016 2
Being bissextile, or leap year, and until the
FOURTH OF JULY
The 240th Year of the Independence of the
UNITED STATES
Containing early America at its best, delightfully threaded through with
a measure of good humor, amusing anecdotes, wise-old weather predictions,
helpful hints and good reading for every member of the
family done on a high moral plane.
EDITED BY PETER GEIGER, PHILOM.
MANAGING EDITOR, SONDRA DUNCAN, PHILOM.
copyright © 2015 by almanac publishing company
issn: 0737-6731
FARMERS’ ALMANAC P.O. Box 1609, Lewiston, Maine 04241
FarmersAlmanac.com
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 1

T H E 1 9 9 T H E D I T I O N
We are pleased to extend our warmest greetings through this Almanac,
part of an Almanac family that has mellowed for nearly two centuries in the fine
traditions of early America.
Like a friendly clasp of hands, it is a symbol of our sincerest good wishes.
You will find on its pages articles, tips, and information that should be helpful
throughout the year.
We hope the Farmers’ Almanac will always find a convenient and important
place in your home.
2016
JANUARY
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29
MARCH
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
APRIL
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
MAY
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
JUNE
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
JULY
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
AUGUST
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
SEPTEMBER
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
OCTOBER
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
NOVEMBER
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
DECEMBER
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
2
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 Farmers' Almanac
CONTENTS
ASTROLOGY & ASTRONOMY
Best Days in 2016........................106–109
Astrology & Astronomy Explained...... 110
Moon’s Astrological Place September
2015–December 2016..................... 111
Explanation of the Calendar Pages........ 112
Eclipses of the Sun and Moon in 2016... 114
Observing the Visible Planets.............. 116
Full Moons & Phases of the Moon in
2016................................................. 119
Almanac Abbreviations & Definitions....120
Monthly Calendar Pages September
2015–December 2016.............126–156
Annual Meteor Showers ....................172
6 Steps to Stargazing .........................174
FARM & GARDEN
Top Picks for Patio Gardens ..................30
Best Days to Set Eggs in 2016 & Animal
Gestation Table.................................73
Average Frost Dates..............................86
10 Companion Planting Ideas for Pest
Control...............................................89
Gardening According to the Moon
Quick View Table.............................. 90
To Seed or Not to Seed..........................92
10 Ways to Naturally Combat Garden
Pests .................................................97
Gardening According to the Moon
Calendar................................... 191-195
4
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
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HEALTHY LIVING
Natural Homemade Cleaners ...............22
9 Natural Ways to Help Keep Your Hair
Looking Its Best.................................36
The Scoop on Scrubs: Get smooth, super
soft skin. Exfoliate with homemade
scrubs................................................60
Top Tips for Healthier Dogs.................. 68
Can Tea Help You Feel Better?..............74
Get the Skinny on Fats! A look at why fat
is important for a healthy lifestyle....82
OUTDOORS
Facts about Bats .................................. 64
5 Tips for Successful Backyard Chicken
Raising ..............................................73
Peak Foliage Dates for the Contiguous
U.S.....................................................98
Farmers’ Almanac 2016 Fishing
Calendar..........................................100
Peculiar Roadside Attractions You’ve
Got To See To Believe......................180
Protecting Our Stories. The National Park
Service Turns 100............................186
RECIPES & FOOD
Unusual Muffin Recipe Winners ...........8
Don’t Buy It – Make It! ..........................52
New Recipe Contest for 2016 .............. 64
(continued)

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CONTENTS
SMART LIVING ADVICE
Helpful Hints ..............................12, 14, 16
5 Quick Ways to Find Some Extra
Cash................................................. 34
Is it Ripe?.............................................. 80
WEATHER
The Year Without a Summer .................18
What’s Your Meteorologist Name? ......20
Winter Weather Lore ............................20
Winter & Summer Weather Outlook
Maps................................................ 40
Weather Review & Outlooks ................41
Monthly Weather Forecasts September
2015–December 2016..............127-157
Are You a Weather Geek? Find your
meteorology mojo by visiting a
weather observatory or volunteering
for a national observer network......158
Droughts. A look at five historic (and one
current) drought ..............................166
WIT, WISDOM, & NOSTALGIA
Unusual 2016 Events: Last Easter in
March ...............................................26
Leap Year Explained .............................28
Philosofacts.......................................... 50
Horsing Around With The English
Language.......................................... 58
Brainteasers & Riddles ........................66
8 Facts About Cucumbers You May Not
Know...............................................104
Do You Know Where Your Frenum Is? .178
Check out FarmersAlmanac.com daily for
Timely Tips • Weather Predictions • Natural Remedies • Tasty Recipes
Smart Living Advice and Much, Much More!
On-the-go? Take the Farmers’ Almanac:
Now available on your smartphone,
iPad, Kindle, Nook and online!
6
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2015 Farmers’ Almanac
Unusual Muffin Recipe
Contest Winners
$250 WINNER
Roxanne Chan,
Albany, California
Move over blueberries,
these muffin recipes
call for very unusual,
yet tasty, ingredients.
Last year we asked for
the most unique, unusual, and
tasty muffin recipes featuring
an unusual ingredient. Well,
we got what we asked for! We
received hundreds of recipes
for muffins that included some
very odd ingredients (pickles,
Cool Whip, black beans, avocadoes,
onions, cauliflower, and
many more). We had a tantalizing
time baking and tasting
many recipes. The following
are our top three picks. Try
them for yourself and be sure
to share your thoughts with us
at FarmersAlmanac.com
Moroccan Muffins
1 cup carrot juice
1 cup couscous
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon grated ginger root
1 egg
1
⁄3 cup honey
1
⁄3 cup plain yogurt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1
⁄3 cup chopped dried apricots
2 tablespoons chopped pistachio
nuts
Combine the carrot juice and
couscous in a microwavable
dish; microwave 4–5 minutes or
until the juice is absorbed and
the couscous is tender. Cool. In a
medium bowl whisk together the
spices, egg, honey, and yogurt.
Add the flour, baking soda, and
baking powder; mix well. Stir in
the cooled couscous, apricots, and
nuts. Divide among 12 muffin tins.
Bake at 350º F 15–20 minutes or till
the centers are set and the edges
are golden. (continued)
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 9

Double Chocolate Black
Bean & Avocado Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1
⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3
⁄4 cup granulated sugar
1
⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 avocado, mashed
1
⁄2 cup black beans, drained, rinsed
1
⁄2 cup skim milk (almond or soy
milk may be substituted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1
⁄2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line
a muffin tin with paper liners, or
spray the tin with cooking spray so
the muffins don’t stick. In a large
bowl, combine the flour, cocoa
powder, sugar, salt, baking powder,
and baking soda. Mix thoroughly.
Cut the avocado in half lengthwise
and remove the pit. Using
a spoon, scoop the flesh into a
blender or food processor. Add the
beans, milk, vanilla, and eggs and
blend until ingredients are mixed
and the texture is smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the
dry ingredients slowly, until completely
mixed and moist. Fold the
chocolate chips into the batter. Fill
the muffin tins two-thirds of the
way up.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the
muffins look golden brown.
Let cool and enjoy!
10
$150 WINNER
Krista Reale,
Cherry Hill, NJ
Sweet Pickles & Cream
Muffins
Preheat oven 375°F.
Combine dry ingredients and set
aside.
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1
⁄2 teaspoon salt
Mix wet ingredients (except for
pickles) together.
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese,
softened
2 eggs, slightly beaten
¼ cup oil
1 cup half and half
1
⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sweet pickles, chopped
Stir dry ingredients into wet until
well mixed in. Then add 1 cup of
sweet pickles, chopped, and mix
well. Spoon into muffin cups filling
three-quarters of the way full. Bake
for 20–25 minutes. Serve warm.
Enter our NEW Farmers’
Almanac Recipe Contest!
Everything
Lemon
Recipes
See page 64 for
details on how
to enter and how
you could win!
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
$100 WINNER
Janice Kerr,
Center Valley, PA

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 11

Get more hints at FarmersAlmanac.com and share yours on our Facebook page
Helpful Hints
Keep the Freeze Outside
Bitter cold in the forecast? Leave your
cabinet doors under the kitchen and
bathroom sinks open so that the
heat from the room can help keep
the pipes warm.
Cover Up Nail Holes
Fill in ugly, small holes
from nails with a little
white toothpaste. Let it
dry, and then paint right
over it.
Stop Puppies from Chewing
Puppies often chew everything and anything
when they are teething. Try freezing a wet
cloth and allow him or her to chew on that.
Supervise this playtime to make sure no part
of the washcloth is chewed off and swallowed.
Ice Pop Leaks
Use cupcake liners to collect drips
from ice pops. Simply poke stick
through the bottom of the liner and
slide the liner up the stick.
12 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK
Taught him about tractors
Taught him about cattle
Taught him about 811
Always call 811 to have pipelines
or underground utilities located
Planning to till, install a fence or drain tiles? Pipelines and utility lines
can be 12 inches or less below the surface. And they don’t always
follow a straight line. Never assume pipeline depth or location. Call 811
and discuss your project with pipeline and utility operators.
Get the facts at PipelineAgSafety.org
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 13

Socks on the Go
Pack an extra pair of socks in your car’s glove
compartment. Then if you need to get out and
shovel, or if you step in a puddle, you’ll have
dry socks to change into.
Pest-Free Garden
Keep cats and other small pests
out of your garden with this
easy trick: “plant” plastic forks
in the soil next to your plants
with the prongs up.
Burned Food on Pots and Pans?
Tomatoes to the rescue. Next time
you have a burned-on mess in your
pot or pan, try placing anything that
has tomatoes in the ingredient list—
sauce, paste (with a little water mixed
in), stewed tomatoes, etc. in the pan.
Then place it on the stove, boil until
the burned-on residue miraculously
lifts off.
Sponge to the Rescue
Make a shovel or rake more comfortable
by wrapping a sponge around
the handle and secure with
a rubber band.
Easier Gutter Cleaning
Attach some PVC pipes to your
leaf blower and then “blow” the
gutters clean.
14
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK
Fixed a fence
Vaccinated a calf
Called to check
pipeline location
Always call 811 to have pipelines
or underground utilities located
Planning to till, install a fence or drain tiles? Pipelines and utility lines
can be 12 inches or less below the surface. And they don’t always
follow a straight line. Never assume pipeline depth or location. Call 811
and discuss your project with pipeline and utility operators.
Get the facts at PipelineAgSafety.org
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 15

Tape Saver
Packing tape is notoriously known
for losing its end and causing much
frustration. Try putting a penny or a
bread clip under the end of the tape
when finished using it. This should help
you find the end easier the next time.
Toothbrush
Tip
Mouthwash is a great
germ killer. Rinse or
dunk your toothbrush
in mouthwash now
and again.
Extra
Broth?
Freeze it in ice cube trays.
Use it at a later date.
Need More Fiber?
For a quick fix try eating more of these:
split peas, lentils, black peas, lima beans,
and/or artichokes.
Warm Wine?
Frozen grapes work wonderfully,
keeping wine cold
without watering
down the wine.
Tent Tip
Before packing your tent up for the
season, put some kitty litter in a
sock and tie it in a knot. Then place
it in the tent. This will help keep
mold and mustiness away.
For more helpful hints like these
visit FarmersAlmanac.com and be
sure to like us on Facebook
16
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK
Fixed Tractor
Fertilized field
Discussed tilling
with pipeline
operator
Always call 811 to have pipelines
or underground utilities located
Planning to till, install a fence or drain tiles? Pipelines and utility lines
can be 12 inches or less below the surface. And they don’t always
follow a straight line. Never assume pipeline depth or location. Call 811
and discuss your project with pipeline and utility operators.
Get the facts at PipelineAgSafety.org
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 17

A L O O K B A C K : 2 0 0 Y E A R S A G O
1816
Year without a
SUMMER
“The year without a summer”
was a weather-related event so
devastating, people are still talking
about it 200 years later. Referred to by
many names, including “the poverty
year” and “eighteen hundred and
froze-to-death,” the year 1816 was
literally a year without a summer
across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Throughout not only North
America, but also Northern Europe
and parts of Asia, an exceptionally
cold summer, featuring killing frosts
in July and August, crippled food
production. Food shortages were so
widespread that rioting and looting
were common in the UK and France.
On this side of the Atlantic, many
residents of New England and the
Canadian Maritimes froze to death,
starved, or suffered from severe malnutrition
as storms–bringing a foot
or more of snow–hit hard during
May and June. Many others from the
region pulled up their stakes and
moved to Western New York and
the Midwest, where the cold was
less severe. In fact, the year without
a summer is now believed to have
been one major catalyst in the westward
expansion of the United States.
Though the northeastern section
of the continent was hardest hit,
southern states also experienced
their share of the cold. On July 4th
of that year, for instance, the high
temperature in Savannah, Georgia,
was a chilly 46°F. As far south as Pennsylvania,
lakes and rivers were frozen
over during July and August.
What caused this tragic cold?
The likely suspect was a series of
volcanic eruptions that occurred
during the winter of 1815, in particular,
the eruption of Mt. Tambora in
Indonesia, believed to be the largest
eruption of the last 1,800 years. The
volcano ejected a tremendous cloud
of fine ash and dust into the stratosphere,
where it remained for a very
long time. This ash insulated the earth
from the heat and light of the sun,
resulting in a cooling effect throughout
the Northern Hemisphere.This
ash also gave the sky a yellowish
tinge in some areas, which can be
seen in many landscape paintings
from that era.
Fortunately,
a summer
like 1816
has yet to repeat itself
the Almanac’s outlook
for this summer
is much more enjoyable!
18
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

“...at once hilarious, humbling, and holy...” JOEL SALATIN
The unforgettable story
of one family’s quest.
VOLUMES ONE AND TWO NOW AVAILABLE
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ORDER ONLINE AT dogwoodmudhole.com 2015 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
OR CALL TOLL-FREE (866) 866-3287 19

W E A T H E R
To create your new meteorologist name: Your middle name + the first
letter of your last name. Example: Emily Anna Smith = Anna Storm
A=Arctic
B=Breezy
C=Cloudy
D=Drizzle
E=Cloudy
F=Foggy
G=Fahrenheit
H=Hail
I=Icy
J=Sleet
K=Blizzard
L=Windy
M=Monsoon
N=Barometer
O=Gale
P=Precip
Q=Snow
R=Rain
S=Storm Y=Dewy
T=Thunder Z=Lightning
U=Climate
V=Condensation
W=Weather
X=Doppler
• Onions have very thick skins
• Spiders spin larger than usual webs
• Lots of acorns are seen on the ground
• Tree bark is heaviest on the north side of the tree
• The woolly worm caterpillar has a small
20
What’s your
Meteorologist Name?
Will Winter be Cold & Snowy?
According to weather lore, winter will be tough when:
rust/orange band
• Persimmon seeds: a knife-shaped
seed indicates cold, icy winter; forkshaped
indicates mild winter; and
spoon-shaped stands for lots of snow
• Raccoons have thick tails and bright bands
• Numerous fogs are experienced
in August
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
Or, you
could always
check the
forecast in
this edition of
the Farmers’
Almanac or
online @
Farmers
Almanac.
com

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21

Go Natural!
Best Picks for Homemade,
Natural Cleaners:
Baking Soda: Good for scouring surfaces
without scratching; great deodorizer.
White Vinegar: Use to get rid of mold,
bacteria, and germs; great in combination
with baking soda.
Rubbing Alcohol: Kills germs and bacteria
and evaporates quickly.
Salt: Good for scouring and removing
tannin (eg. tea, wine, juice) stains.
Lemon Juice: Kills germs and bacteria;
acts like natural bleach; hides odors.
Tea Tree Oil: Kills germs,
hinders mold, and hides odors.
Club Soda: Great for stains, especially on
carpets and upholstery.
Olive Oil: Good for polishing surfaces.
Pure Castile Soap: Eco-friendly, mild
dish detergent made with vegetable oil.
Borax: Good for scouring and breaking
up stains.
Get more tips and natural ideas
@FarmersAlmanac.com
22
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Mantis Does It All!
• Speed Weeds In Minutes
• Tills New Garden Beds
• Digs Planting Holes
• And Much More…
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• So lightweight that it’s a
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 23

24
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 25

Calendar Highlights
Unusual
2016
EVENTS
This year Easter falls on March 27th, which is early, but not as early as
it was in 2008, when this holiday was celebrated on March 23, the
earliest date since 1913 (and won’t be celebrated again that early until
the year 2228). But it is the last time Easter will be celebrated in March until
March 31, 2024.
Why?
Easter and the many church holidays related to it—such as Ash Wednesday,
Palm Sunday, and Good Friday—are called “moveable feasts,” because they
don’t fall on a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar, which follows the cycle
of the Sun and the seasons. Instead, these days follow a lunisolar calendar,
similar to Jewish holidays.
According to a fourth century ruling, the date of Easter is set for the first
Sunday following the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon of spring,
occurring on or shortly after the vernal equinox. March 22 is the earliest
Easter can occur on any given year, and April 25 is the latest.
By the way, the next time Easter will be celebrated that late is the year 2038.
26
Last Easter in March until 2024?!
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Chicago Doctor Invents
Affordable Hearing Aid
Outperforms Many Higher
Priced Hearing Aids
CHICAGO: A local board-certiied Ear,
Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician,
Dr. S. Cherukuri, has shaken up the
hearing aid industry with the invention
of a medical-grade, affordable hearing
aid. This revolutionary hearing aid is
designed to help millions of people
with hearing loss who cannot afford
—or do not wish to pay—the much
higher cost of traditional hearing aids.
Dr. Cherukuri knew that untreated
hearing loss could lead to depression,
social isolation, anxiety, and symptoms
consistent with Alzheimer’s dementia. He
didn’t understand why the cost for hearing
aids was so high when the prices on many
consumer electronics like TVs, DVD
players, and cell phones had fallen.
Superb Performance From
Affordable Hearing Aid
The high cost of hearing aids is a result
of layers of middlemen and expensive
unnecessary features. Dr. Cherukuri
concluded that it would be possible to
develop a medical grade hearing aid without
sacriicing the quality of components.
The result is the MDHearingAid PRO,
well under $200 each when buying a
pair. Order for a 45-Day Risk-Free Trial.
Tested By Leading Doctors
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
27

Ready for an Extra Day
in 2016?
In 2016, February will have 29 days;
which means 2016 will contain 366 days.
Have you ever wondered why there’s an
extra day in February every 4 years?
The reason for the extra day has to do with
our need to keep the modern-day Gregorian
Calendar in alignment with the Earth’s
revolutions around the Sun. Unlike the
calendar, which organizes each year into a
neat 365 days, it actually takes the Earth
365.242199 days—or 365 days, 5 hours,
48 minutes, and 46 seconds—to circle once
around the Sun.
Leap years, or intercalary years, as they
are also called, date back to the reign of
Roman emperor Julius Caesar, in 46 B.C.
At that time, Caesar in consultation with
the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria,
decreed that a calendar year would total
365 days in length, and contain 12 months.
Prior to that, the Romans followed an evolving
series of calendars that were roughly
based on the Greek lunar calendar, with a
total of 354 days, and a “leap month” thrown
in every few years to even things out.
Days were added to various months to bring
the total number up to 365. Because the
seasons didn’t exactly fit the 365-day year,
the calendar ended about one-quarter day
early, resulting in the calendar becoming a
full day off every fourth year. To make up
for the error, the Julian calendar, as Caesar’s
calendar came to be called, added an extra
day to the month of February every fourth
year. Any year evenly divisible by four would be
a leap year, which made the average length
of the calendar 365.25 days.
However, the Julian calendar was still off the
mark, slightly. Caesar’s correction made
the year 11 minutes and 14 seconds too long,
which meant that, after 128 years, the calendar
would end a full day later than the
astronomical year. In 1582, Pope Gregory
XII stepped in and ordered another correction
to the calendar, resulting in the Gregorian
calendar, which we use today.
According to the Pope’s reform, century years
are not leap years, unless they are evenly
divisible by 400. Thus, 1900 was not a leap
year, but 2000 was. This made the average
length of the calendar 365.244 days and
reduced the calendar error to only one day
in 3,322 years. During the 19th century,
astronomer John Herschel suggested dropping
a leap year every 4,000 years, to obtain
even greater accuracy, however, his suggestion
never received official support, in
part because contemporary astronomers
believe the point of the vernal equinox will
change by the year 8,000, making Herschel’s
correction irrelevant.
So why do we call it a “leap”
year, anyway?
Common (non-leap) years are composed of
exactly 52 weeks, plus one day. This extra
day means that if your birthday falls on a
Tuesday in one common year, it will fall on
a Wednesday the next common year, and so
on. However, a leap year changes this scenario.
A leap year is comprised of 52 weeks
plus two days. So, if your birthday fell on a
Wednesday last year, in a leap year it “leaps”
over Thursday and lands on Friday. Thus, the
name “leap year.”
What will
YOU do
with this
extra day?
Share your plans
for leap day on
our Facebook
page or get ideas
@ Farmers
Almanac.com
28
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Freeze Dry At Home
Nearly every food can be freeze dried...
Meats, Fruits, Veggies, Desserts and Full Meals!
The BEST
Preservation
Method
Save Money - Prepare for the future.
The average family throws away nearly $3000 worth of
food each year. The In-Home Freeze Dryer enables
food waste management - leftovers that were once
thrown out can be easily preserved and stored -
ready to be used when you are ready to eat them.
More stable than dehydrated, bottled, or canned
foods, freeze dried food has an extremely long
shelf life - as much as 25 years - and preserves freshness,
nutrition, taste and color.
Ph: 1-800-495-0586
www.harvestright.com
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 29

Top
Picks
for
PATIO
GARDENS
Most vegetables can be
grown in containers, on
patios and balconies, but
here are a few of our
top choices:
• Bell Peppers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Radishes
• Eggplant
• Squash
• Parsley
• Lemon Verbena & Mints
(think tea)
• Stevia
For more on container gardening
check out FarmersAlmanac.com
TAKE THE GUESSWORK
OUT OF PLANTING A
PERFECT ROW CROP.
The 1001-B Precision
Garden Seeder
Plants at a precise depth
and spacing. Covers and
packs all in one operation
eliminating the problems
of seed rot and skipped
plants.
Visit our direct shopping site at
SHOP
Call 1-800-294-0671 or visit Earthway.com
MADE IN THE USA
30
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Grind Away ANY Size
Stump FAST!
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without digging, burning, or chemicals.
NEW, MORE POWERFUL and lowerpriced
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The DR ® STUMP GRINDER uses carbide-tipped cutting
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stump to a pile of woodchips. Grinds stumps below
ground level so they are gone forever!
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are no hydraulic pumps, valves, pistons, hoses or
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 31

Made in the
usa
The feel of nature
The
Original
GARDEN
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A must have new tool for all
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This all weather broom is designed
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combined. Works great wet or dry!
Developed to sweep tough
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 33

5 Quick Ways
to Find Some
Extra Cash
1 Extra Change Adds Up. Search your car, sofa
cushions, dresser drawers, or old purses. It
may not seem like a lot, but you may be amazed
at how quickly these scattered coins add up.
2 Credit/Debit Card Points. Many credit and
some debit cards offer points that can purchase
all types of things, but some offer points
for money. Be sure to check your offers carefully
and if they don’t offer money, see if you can turn
them in for something you really need and save
the cash for something else.
3 Expired Savings Bonds. Many people give
savings bonds for special occasions—birth
of a child, baptism, weddings, etc. They are great
gifts, but once they reach maturity bonds do not
collect interest. If you have bonds, check them
for the date of maturity and by all means turn
them in if it’s time.
4 Trash to Treasure. Whether you decide to
hold a garage sale, go to consignment shops,
or look to Internet sites such as Craigslist and
eBay, there are ways to turn your “trash” or extra
stuff into some cash. Retro items from your
childhood may be worth more than you think.
5 Focus Groups/Paid Surveys. Today many
companies will offer opportunities to participate
in a focus group for money and/or to
voice your opinion about
products or services. Be
honest when applying
to partake in either,
and look for opportunities
in your area.
Get more
money-saving
tips @
Farmers
Almanac.com
and share
yours on our
Facebook page
3 more reasons to use
CALENDARS
Farmers’ Almanac calendars
help keep your days on time
while sharing fun, fascinating
facts or yummy, seasonal
recipes with you on a daily or
monthly basis.
$13 99
$14 99 $14 99
Order at FarmersAlmanac.com
34 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
35

9 natural ways to help
Keep your
hair looking
its best!
■ Beer: Leave a can or bottle of beer
open until it turns flat, and use it as a
conditioner after shampooing.
■ Lemon juice: Mix it with water
during your final rinse for shiny,
bouncy hair.
■ Honey: Mix three teaspoons of
honey into a pint of water as a hair
lotion, or use pure honey to moisturize
your scalp once a week.
■ Mayonnaise: Apply about a tablespoon,
and rub it into your hair and
scalp. Cover it with a shower cap and
leave it in for about 30 minutes. Rinse
thoroughly with warm water.
■ Eggs: Once a week, beat an egg
and massage it into your hair and
scalp. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes,
then rinse your hair with cool water
(warm water will harden the egg and
make it harder to rinse out). Wash as
normal.
■ Avocado and banana: Mash up a
peeled overripe banana and a peeled
and pitted avocado. Rub the mixture
into your hair. Leave it in for up to an
hour, then rinse with warm water.
■ Olive Oil: Rub olive oil into your
scalp before bed. Cover your hair
with a shower cap and leave it on
overnight. Shampoo it out in the
morning.
■ Vinegar: There are many benefits
to rinsing your hair in vinegar. Not
only is it an excellent cleansing
agent, but vinegar also makes a
great conditioner that can promote
strength and luster. Just add a little
vinegar to your hair when you rinse
out your normal shampoo, or massage
it into your scalp several times
each week before showering. Vinegar
will not only tame frizz by repairing
damaged hair shafts, but it can also
help to treat dandruff.
■ Nuts: Don’t put them on your
hair, though. Just eat them. Nuts
and seeds, such as sunflower seeds
or flax seeds, contain essential fatty
acids that can add sheen to your
hair from the inside out.
36
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Colloidal Silver Water
Nature’s remedy
for fighting germs
and viruses.
Throughout the ages, silver has been used
as a safe and natural way to fight germs,
viruses, bacteria, colds and flu.
Have you ever wondered why
silverware is made from silver?
One of the properties of silver
is that it kills bacteria on contact
in six minutes or less. Silver is a
powerful, natural prophylactic/
antibiotic that has been used
for thousands of years.
2 oz Cream $16.95
(30 PPM)
Through extensive research and development, Colloidal Research
manufactures Colloidal Silver Water using a unique and special process.
It is non-toxic and has no known side effects or reactions with other medications.
Colloidal Silver has been known to successfully treat a number of
illnesses and diseases. It promotes greater energy, vitality and vigor.
To learn more about Colloidal Silver Water visit us on the web
ColloidalResearch.com
8 oz Spray $16.95
(10 PPM)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 37

Why God Permits Evil
TERRORISM POLLUTION WAR
CORRUPTION POVERTY DISEASE
DRUGS NATURAL DISASTER
SOCIAL DECAY CIVIL UNREST
Read in this FREE BOOKLET about God’s solution
to the problems that plague our world and His
wonderful plan for mankind.
phone, email or write for your
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Visit our website
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38
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

LOWEST PRICE EVER
on DR ® Leaf and Lawn Vacuums!
NEW
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Starting at
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The NEW DR ® Leaf Vacuum is designed
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 39

W E A T H E R
FARMERS' ALMANAC SEASONAL WEATHER MAPS
The maps reflect an overview of the Farmers’ Almanac’s general
weather outlook for winter (January through March 2016) and summer
(June through August 2016) accordingly.
WINTER 2016
Wet &
Mild
Dry &
Mild
Very Snowy &
Typical Winter
Cold
Very Wet &
Chilly
Snow Filled
& Frigid
Wet
Zone
&
3
Very Chilly
Snowy &
Bitter Cold
Snowy &
Unseasonably
Cold
SUMMER 2016
Warm to Hot,
Average Rainfall
Typical
Summer Heat
& Dry
Warm to Hot,
Average Rainfall
Very Warm &
Thundery
Hot, Showery &
Oppressively Humid
Zone 3
Get the complete forecast for the year ahead on page 43.
More weather at FarmersAlmanac.com
40
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Weather Review and Outlooks
Winter of 2014–15: A Split Personality
Last year we predicted that the
winter of 2014–15 would see
below-normal temperatures
for about three-quarters of the
nation. We called for lots of “shivery,”
but we may have been a bit
overzealous in terms of forecasting
overall coverage of the cold air.
While our prediction of very cold
conditions came true in the East,
the West was unusually warm.
Off to a shovelry, snowy start
Even before the winter season
officially began, there were signs
that our forecast for “shovelry”
(aka snow) was going to happen.
Who could forget the back-to-back
lake-effect snow events that delivered
over 65 inches of snow to the
Buffalo, New York area right before
Thanksgiving? November’s snow
cover over the contiguous 48 states
was the largest on record, with over
50% of this area having snow on the
ground by mid-November. Shivery
How did last year’s
predictions do?
conditions also arrived early. Eighteen
eastern states experienced
their top ten coldest November on
record.
But in December “shivery and
shovelry” took a real holiday. Every
state in the lower 48 experienced
warmer than average temperatures.
Nine states in the West, Southern
Plains, and Northeast had a top-ten
warmest December on record. The
average U.S. temperature during
the month of December was 37.1°F,
a whopping 4.5°F above average,
making it the all-time second warmest
December on record.
Interestingly, in the Northeast in
mid to late December, we called for
a storm that would bring “copious
precipitation and strong winds”
to the region. And in spite of the
unusually balmy weather our forecast
was spot-on as a winter storm
brought over 20 inches of snow to
the interior Northeast. (continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 41

January finally set the tone for
the balance of the winter season:
bitterly cold and snowy in the East,
warm and dry in the West.
Much of the West was warmer
than average, with 7 western states
experiencing a top-ten warmest January.
California had its fourth driest
January, with a mere 15% of average
precipitation.
The dichotomy between warm
and cold became even more pronounced
in February. In the West,
a below-average snowpack was
observed in the Sierra Nevada and
Cascade mountains, contributing
to long-term drought concerns. In
contrast, in the East, a winter storm
dropped over 8 inches of snow
across a swath of the Southeast
causing power outages and highway
closures. Boston received 64.8
inches of snow in February alone,
the snowiest month on record for
the city and in March, it broke the
record for the snowiest winter on
record, with 110.6 inches. Shovelry
did in fact ring true right through
March.
42
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
But … it was overall a warm
winter! (What???)
Almanac readers who live east
of the Mississippi might find this
statistic difficult to accept, but the
winter of 2014–15 for the United
States ended up 2.1°F above the
20th century average; it was the
19th warmest winter on record. How
could this be?
During the first half of meteorological
winter, at least up through
mid-January, above normal temperatures
were more often the rule rather
than the exception across much of
the country; the December/January
two-month temperature being the
fifth highest on record. It wasn’t until
after mid-January that across the
East, the bottom—literally—fell out
of the thermometer. The frigid February
in the eastern U.S. lowered the
overall winter temperature for the
contiguous United States.
Although 23 eastern states experienced
one of their top-ten coldest
Februarys (Buffalo, Chicago, and
Cleveland had their coldest February
on record), the cold was more

than balanced out by 10 western
states that had a warm winter. Due
to a mild first half of winter, no
state had winter temperatures
that ranked among their ten coldest
on record. Arizona, California,
Nevada, Utah, and Washington had
a record warm winter. In California,
the winter temperature bested
the previous seasonal record that
occurred just last year by 1.5°F.
Whatever happened to El Niño?
As we were putting the finishing
touches on last year’s long-range
projections, the National Oceanic
Atmospheric and Administration
issued an official El Niño watch. An
El Niño is a warming of the central
Pacific once every few years, from
a combination of wind and waves
in the tropics. It shakes up climate
around the world, changing rain
and temperature patterns. A robust
El Niño could result in more rain for
drought-stricken California and a
milder winter for the nation’s frigid
northern tier. But as it turned out,
El Niño 2014–15 was, at best, relatively
weak.
Drought update
As winter came to a close, 31.9%
of the contiguous 48 United States
was in drought. Drought conditions
worsened across parts of the
Central Rockies, Southern Plains,
and central Gulf Coast. Drought
conditions improved in parts of the
West, Southern Rockies, Midwest,
and Ohio Valley. Those regions
categorized as enduring “extreme”
drought included much of central
and south coastal California, as
well as the northwestern quarter of
Nevada. Abnormally dry conditions
developed across central parts of
Alaska.
What’s on Tap for This Winter? Déjà Vu!
The winter of 2015–2016 is looking
like a repeat of last winter, at
least in terms of temperatures with
unseasonably cold conditions over
the Atlantic Seaboard, eastern portions
of the Great Lakes, and the
lower peninsula of Michigan, Ohio,
Kentucky, most of the Tennessee
and Mississippi Valley, as well as
much of the Gulf Coast.
New Englanders will once again
experience a very frigid (shivery)
winter (Déjà vu).
Much of the central United States
(Zone 4) will see near-normal winter
temperatures. This includes the
western and central Great Lakes,
the upper peninsula of Michigan,
Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and
most of the Great Plains.
In these areas, Ms. Nature will
mix intervals of unseasonably mild
temperatures with occasional shots
of bitter cold; average it out and
it comes out—average!
Texas and the other
South Central States will
see a cool to cold winter,
but nothing too extreme.
Farther west, over
the Rockies, the Colorado
Plateau, Pacific
Northwest, and the
Southwest States,
milder than
normal temperatures
are
expected.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 43

Snow?
Precipitation-wise, if you like
snow, then you should head out
to the northern and central Great
Plains (most of the North Central
States), the Great Lakes, New
England, and parts of the Ohio
Valley where snowier-than-normal
conditions are predicted.
For the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
States, the winter will be stormy
with a good amount of snow. We
are “red-flagging” the second week
of January and February for possible
heavy winter weather with
a long, drawn-out spell of stormy
weather extending through much
of the first half of March.
An active storm track will bring
above-normal precipitation to the
Southeast States, as well as the
Mississippi Valley, Southern Great
Plains, the Gulf Coast, and along
the Atlantic Seaboard. Another area
of above-normal precipitation will
cover much of the Pacific Northwest.
Near-to-below normal winter precipitation
will cover the rest of the
country, which includes much of the
drought-stricken areas in the Southwest.
(See our map for more detail
as well as our monthly regional forecasts
starting on page 127.)
Spring and summer
A wet spring for most parts of
the country is on tap. As we move
into the summer season there will
be a greater-than-normal coverage
of thunderstorms, which unfortunately
will be strong, particularly
over the eastern-third of the nation.
During June and July over “tornado
alley” in the middle part of the
country, some widespread tornadic
activity is possible.
Portions of the Southern Rockies
and Southern Plains could also
experience some higher-than-normal
thunderstorm activity.
It will also be an above-normal
summer, temperature-wise, for twothirds
of the country, especially for
the Southern and Eastern United
States. While typically the hottest
weather can be expected in late July
or early August, this year’s summer
heat could peak in late August into
early September. The Pacific Northwest
and Northern Plains should
see near-normal summertime temperatures
and precipitation. The
Southwest will get typical summertime
weather: hot and dry.
As for tropical activity, we are
forecasting tropical storm threats
for early July, late August, and late
September along the Gulf Coast and
hurricane threats in early August
along the Gulf Coast, and mid-August
along the Atlantic Coast. The peak
of the hurricane season is September
10. Until next year ...
Caleb Weatherbee
2016
HURRICANE
NAMES
Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Ian
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tobias
Virginie
Walter
44 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Since 1818
The 199 th edition of the Farmers’ Almanac
ORIGINATOR: David Young, Philom. (1781–1852)
EDITOR: Peter Geiger, Philom.
MANAGING EDITOR: Sondra Duncan, Philom.
ART DIRECTOR: Richard Plourde
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Corinne Mockler
WEB CONTENT/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: Susan Higgins
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ASTRONOMICAL CALCULATIONS & FORMATTING
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
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45

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITORS
199 Editions and Counting
Dear Readers:
What an exciting time it is at the
Farmers’ Almanac. 2016 marks our
199th edition. As we reflect on the
nearly two centuries worth of editions,
as well as the history the
Farmers’ Almanac has witnessed, we
are reminded of how very different,
yet similar, times are.
Rewind back to 1816, when the
United States was made up of 19
states. Kings still ruled countries.
Candles were used to light homes.
Horses and feet were the mode of
transportation. People grew their
own food and made their own
clothes. Life was hard, especially
46
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
when a weather event brought killing
frosts as late in the year as July
(see Year without a Summer, on
page 18).
Fast forward to today. Technology
allows us to heat and cool our
homes almost instantly. We have
one or more cars parked in our
driveways, and the only time we
think about electricity is when
a storm takes it out (or we get
that monthly bill). So how come
among all of these modern-day
conveniences and technological
advances the idea of slowing down
is so alluring? (continued)

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There is a growing trend to downsize,
to grow your own food, to
live off the land, and to reduce the
amount of garbage we produce. It
seems many of these high-tech gadgets
and advancements have not
only helped us in so many ways, but
they’ve also overcomplicated areas
to a point where getting back to the
basics really sounds appealing.
And this is why we are celebrating
199 years of publishing the Farmers’
Almanac. Each and every year, the
Farmers’ Almanac provides invaluable
tips, advice, and stories that
reveal how to simplify yet enjoy life
in this fast-paced world.
Even though our mission is to
help you get back to basics, we’ve
embraced technology so we can
bring important tips and plenty of
money-saving ideas to you at the
speed of your Internet connection.
Our website, FarmersAlmanac.com,
our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,
Instagram, and Vine pages allow
you to access all the information
that you need, as well as our longrange
weather forecasts and Best
Days, in the format you want, wherever
and whenever you want. And
now “there’s an app for that”—we
have a downloadable app for your
iPad of this very edition, as well as
ebook versions for the Kindle and
Nook.
Yet through thick and thin,
droughts and hurricanes, the
Farmers’ Almanac continues to,
and will always be, published in
the printed form. And within these
paper pages are articles that reflect
similar content that we originally
published in the 1800s, (yes we
predicted the weather even way
back then) that is current and
useful for people of all ages and
economic backgrounds, from
coast to coast, and everywhere
in between (not just farms), with
the modern spin and relevance
that’s important for you to keep
growing your life forward today.
Thank you for keeping our
tradition alive!
We are very pleased with this
edition and hope you find the
information and advice within its
pages useful and valuable. From
gardening and cooking to healthy
living, astronomy, and weather, the
Farmers’ Almanac is here to make
life just a little bit easier. We are
gearing up for a fantastic 200th edition
next year and are looking for
input from you about what you’d
like to see and how you’d like to celebrate
this amazing anniversary. So
do share your thoughts! Send us an
e-mail; leave a comment on our website
or on one of our social media
pages, or mail us a letter. And in the
meantime, check out the stories in
this edition and celebrate how fortunate
we are to be similar, yet different,
from yesteryear.
Enjoy,
48
Peter Geiger, Philom.
EDITOR
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
Sandi Duncan, Philom.
MANAGING EDITOR

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 49

W I T & W I S D O M
PhilosoFacts
THOUGHT
OF THE YEAR:
All of us could take a
lesson from the weather.
It pays no attention
to criticism.
The eyes believe themselves;
the ears believe other people.
You have a lifetime to work, but
children are only young once.
Words are dwarfs, but
examples are giants.
What goes in one ear and out
the mouth is usually gossip.
You’ve got to do your own
growing, no matter how
tall your parents were.
It is often that a person’s
mouth broke his nose.
The silence of a kiss is worth
more than 1,000 words.
If you don’t know the
way, walk slowly.
You cannot lead anyone farther
than you’ve gone yourself.
The greatest wealth is health.
If you put out another’s candle,
you also will be in the dark.
Dreams never come true
by oversleeping.
Hunger finds no fault
with the cooking.
Peace may cost as much as
war, but it is a better buy.
If you put a small value on
yourself, rest assured the world
will not raise your price.
As long as your conscience
is your friend, never
mind your enemies.
Concern should drive us into
action and not depression.
Every time history repeats
itself the price goes up.
50
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 51

R E C I P E S & F O O D
Don’t Buy It –
Make It!
Everyday foods you can easily make yourself!
By Jaime McLeod
The 20th century brought us an abundance of convenience foods, with
mixes and boxed, canned, or bottled items replacing innumerable
foodstuffs our forebears once made from scratch. Over the generations,
the knowledge of how to make these foods was lost to many, turning
products that were once time-savers into necessities.
Today, many people are growing increasingly uneasy with our dependence
on these prepackaged foods, which are often heavily processed,
overpriced, and in most cases, laden with sodium, high fructose corn syrup,
artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
The good news is, in most cases, it’s actually easy to save money, improve
your family’s health, and enjoy better quality and flavor by making many
traditional convenience foods from scratch.
Enjoy these recipes for making some of today’s most popular
kitchen staples.
Butter
1 pint heavy cream
Salt to taste
Airtight containers or parchment paper
Pour the cream into a mixing bowl and
beat with an electric mixer set to medium
speed for about 10 minutes, until the butter
begins to stiffen, leaving behind a pool of
milk at the bottom of the bowl. Pour off
the milk and reserve it for cooking with
or drinking. Use a rubber spatula to press
the butter, squeeze out as much liquid as
possible. “Wash” the butter by adding a
1/2 cup of ice water and using the spatula
to press the butter against the side of the
bowl. Pour off the cloudy liquid and repeat
this process two or three more times, until
the resulting water is less cloudy. Knead
the butter against the side of the bowl until
all the liquid has been squeezed out. Use
the rubber spatula to transfer the butter
to airtight containers, or simply wrap it in
parchment.
52
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Easy Refrigerator
Raspberry Jam
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup raspberries
1 12-oz jar or plastic container
Place berries into a medium saucepan and
bring to a boil over high heat, while crushing
the berries with a potato masher. Allow
them to boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add sugar and return to a boil. Boil the
mixture about 5 minutes, until thickened.
Pour the hot mixture into container. Allow
to cool to room temperature, cover, and
refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Garlic Powder
One medium garlic bulb
Airtight container, or reuse a cleanedout
spice jar
Separate the garlic bulb into individual
cloves. Peel the cloves and cut them
into thin slices. Lay the slices out on a
cookie sheet and bake in a 150°F oven
for about 2 hours, turning the slices often,
until dehydrated. Grind the dried slices
in a spice grinder until fine. ■ To make
garlic salt, mix three parts salt to one
part garlic powder. Store in an airtight
container.
Mexican Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Container or empty spice jar for
storing
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Place
into a small airtight container.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 53

Peanut Butter
2 cups roasted peanuts, shelled and
skinned
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons honey
11/2 tablespoons peanut oil
Airtight container or jar
Combine peanuts, salt, and honey in the
bowl of a food processor and process for
about a minute. Scrape the ground peanut
mixture from the sides of the bowl and
continue to process for another minute or
two, slowly drizzling in peanut oil, until
smooth. Use a rubber spatula to transfer
the peanut butter to an airtight container.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cloves
1 teaspoon pickling salt
1-quart canning jar or airtight container
Sweet Pickles
2 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 tablespoon coriander
1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
Place cucumber and onion slices in a large
canning jar. Mix vinegar, water, sugar,
celery seed, mustard seed, coriander,
allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a
medium saucepan and bring to boil over
medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the
sugar and salt. Reduce heat to low and
simmer for 5 minutes. Pour the hot brine
over the cucumbers and onions, leaving at
least a half an inch of headspace. Allow
to cool then cover. Refrigerate overnight
before serving. Store in the refrigerator
for up to 2 months.
Dry Pancake Mix
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
11/2 tablespoons baking powder
11/2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
■ To make pancakes, whisk 2 eggs, 2 cups
1 tablespoon cinnamon
milk or buttermilk, and 4 tablespoons softened
butter together with 2 cups of dry
Combine all of the ingredients until thoroughly
mixed. Store in an airtight container onto a frying pan or griddle, flipping until
pancake mix until smooth. Ladle the mixture
for up to 3 months. BY RICHARD both LEDERER
sides are golden brown. (continued)
54
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 55

1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons pickling salt
1-quart mason jar
Dill Pickles
1 pound cucumbers
4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons dill seed
Wash and dry the cucumbers and cut off
the bottom ends. Slice them into spears
or rounds. Add the garlic and dill seed to
the jar, followed by the cucumber slices.
Combine the vinegar, water, and salt in
a small saucepan and bring to a rolling
boil over high heat. Allow to simmer for
5 minutes, then pour the brine over the
cucumbers, leaving half an inch of head
space. Allow to cool to room temperature,
cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Allow pickles to sit for at least a few days
before opening and enjoying.
Sauerkraut
11/2 pounds green cabbage, finely sliced
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1-quart canning jar
Smaller jar to fit in the 1-quart jar
Place the cabbage in a large bowl and
sprinkle with salt. Massage the salt into
the cabbage for about 10 minutes, until
limp. Pack the cabbage into a clean, widemouth,
1-quart canning jar. Pour in any liquid
left behind in the bowl. Find a smaller jar
that will fit into the mouth of the canning
jar. Fill the smaller jar with water, screw
on the lid, and slip the entire jar into the
mouth of the larger jar. This will keep the
cabbage compressed. Cover the canning
jar with a clean dishtowel and wrap a rubber
band around it to hold it in place.
During the next day, press down on the
smaller jar every few hours to compress the
cabbage. If, after 24 hours, the cabbage is
not submerged in its own liquid, dissolve
a teaspoon of salt into a cup of water and
add enough brine to cover the cabbage.
Place the jar in a cool, dark room for three
days, making sure to press it down with
the smaller jar at least once per day. After
the third day, taste the sauerkraut. If it’s
not sour enough, leave it out for up to an
additional week, then remove the smaller
jar, cover, and store in the refrigerator.
Want more from scratch recipes? At www.FarmersAlmanac.com, you’ll find recipes to make your own hot chocolate mix,
ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, salsa, hummus, yogurt, grape jelly, breads, cheeses, and much more!
56
2015 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 57

W I T & W I S D O M
Horsing
Around
with the English Language
In modern life, horses are no longer crucial in helping us to
hunt, do battle, draw vehicles, round up livestock, or deliver
mail and goods. Nevertheless, our equine friends still figure
prominently in the figures of speech that canter—neigh,
gallop—through our English language.
“Horsefeathers!” you respond,
bridling at my suggestion and
working yourself into a lather.
“Now hold your horses and get
off your high horse. You’re just
trying to spur me on to the end
of my tether and beat a dead
horse.” The meanings of these
words and expressions are
generally clear, although the
equine expletive horsefeathers
deserves an etymological exegesis.
Rows of clapboards are laid
on roofs to provide flat surfaces
for asphalt shingles, called
“feather strips.” Oldtimers in
New England and New York,
noting the featherlike
pattern, called the clapboards
horsefeathers. Why the horse in
the word? Because the boards
were large, and large things
sometimes attract the designation
horse, as in horse chestnut,
horse radish, horsefly, and horse
mackerel.
Now, straight from the horse’s
mouth, here’s a game in which
you are asked to identify ten of
the less obvious equine words
and expressions stabled in
our vocabulary. Learning the
origins of these horsey phrases
will help you to see that English
is really a horse of a different
color, and not a mare’s nest.
BY RICHARD LEDERER
58
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

1. A horse is “rough-shoed” when the nails of its shoes project, ensuring a
more sure-footed progress but also damaging the ground over it gallops.
Thus, when we ruthlessly advance ourselves at other people’s expense,
we _______over them.
2. Attendants groom and clean a horse’s coat with a curry comb. When
we wish someone to think well of us, we _______.
3. In an oft-used cliché we compare a point in time to a bespurred
rider mounted upon our backs and urging us on with sharp prodding.
This common expression is _______.
4. At the race track, notice boards display statistics for each horse. A
fan who places bets that a given horse will win, place, or show has a
better chance to gain cash by betting _______.
5. Jockeys urge their horses on by whispering “shoo” and shooing
them on. Thus, a horse or a person who is an easy winner is known as
a _______.
6. When a horse is so far ahead of the rest of the field that the outcome
of the race is no longer in doubt, the jockey wins _______.
7. Icy balls can become packed in the hooves of horses when they are
driven over soft winter snow or during spring thaws. As the footing
becomes treacherous, the horses may fall, singly or in teams, producing
a state of affairs that is _______.
8.When is a holiday not a holiday? Back in the last century, when
London omnibuses (whence our word bus) were horse-drawn,
close relationships grew up between horse teams and their
drivers. The regular driver would often spend his day off riding as
a passenger alongside the substitute driver in order to check his
replacement’s handling of the horses. That’s why a vacation or day
off from work spent doing the same activity as one’s usual work is
called a _______.
9. When is a choice not a choice? Tobias Hobson (1544–1631), the
owner of a Cambridge livery stable, gave his customers the dubious
choice of taking a horse in its proper turn or taking none at all. To
prevent the wearing down of his mounts, Hobson tolerated no picking
and choosing, insisting that each rider take the first horse in line.
Thus, when somebody offers you a _______, you are being offered no
choice at all.
10. High-strung race horses are sometimes given goats as stablemates
to calm them, and the two animals can become inseparable companions.
Certain gamblers have been known to steal the goat attached
to a particular horse that they wanted to run poorly the next day. By
_______, we today often affect someone’s performance.
ANSWERS 1. ride roughshod 2. curry favor 3. spur of the moment 4. across the board 5. shoo-in
6. hands down 7. all balled up 8. busman’s holiday 9. Hobson’s choice 10. getting his goat
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 59

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G
The
SCOOP
on
Scrubs
Get Smooth,
Super Soft Skin:
Exfoliate with Homemade Scrubs
by Jean Grigsby
60
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Scouring for ways to get
smooth, soft, super-clean
skin? Here’s the scoop on
exfoliating scrubs.
Few things are as luxuriant and revitalizing
as spa treatments like skin
exfoliation, but they can be exceedingly
pricey and time-consuming. At
$50 or more per service the cost adds
up quickly. Besides, in between working,
picking up the kids, and going
grocery shopping, who has time to
book an appointment, let alone spend
time at the spa?
Homemade exfoliation treatments
can be inexpensive, quick to make,
and just as rejuvenating. You can
prepare and use them in the privacy
of your own home on your own
schedule. Just don’t forget to lock the
bathroom door!
Creating your own exfoliating scrubs
lets you control the ingredients. You
can rest assured that there are no
nasty chemicals, and if you have
sensitive skin you can use ingredients
that won’t cause problems or
reactions. Many commercially available
face and body scrubs contain
preservatives and other substances
that aren’t necessarily good for your
skin. In addition, a number of them
contain micro-beads, which are actually
tiny pieces of plastic that are so
miniscule they go down the drain
and into the water supply.
Benefits of Exfoliating
Dead cells can build up making your
skin dull, rough, and flaky. On your
face especially, dead skin cells
accumulate to clog pores, causing
blackheads and blemishes. Exfoliating—removing
the dead skin cells
by sloughing them off—cleanses,
rejuvenates, and softens the skin to
give it a healthy and smooth appearance.
It can also help clear clogged
pores, increase the rate of new cell
production, and make the skin more
receptive to the benefits of cleansers,
moisturizers, and other treatments.
Exfoliating is a wonderfully healthy
practice, but overdoing it by using
scrubs too frequently or vigorously
can irritate and even harm the skin,
so err on the side of caution. In addition,
overdoing facial exfoliation can
backfire by increasing oil production
that may cause acne. Gentle use two
to three times a week is the general
rule of thumb, while tougher skin on
the elbows, feet, and knees can tolerate
stronger, more frequent treatments.
Gently scrubbing your body can
give you modest therapeutic benefits
akin to those of massage, including
stimulating blood and lymph flow,
reducing stress, relieving muscle
tension, and so on. Whether it’s energizing
and invigorating or relaxing
and soothing, exfoliating should be
part of everyone’s skin care regimen.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 61

If you’re
interested
in making your
own scrubs, why
not start off simple
and go from there?
Begin by heading
straight to the kitchen,
because one of the most
basic recipes is to combine a
teaspoon of lemon juice with
a teaspoon of baking soda for
an easy, all-natural facial scrub. Be
forewarned that this combination will
fizz a bit, but once it calms down, it
becomes a very gentle, light paste.
If you’re experimenting with scrubs
for the first time and aren’t sure what
the sensitive skin on your face can
handle, this is a terrific scrub for
getting started. This small amount is
enough for a single wash, so you can
make it as you go. Baking soda and
lemon juice are both mildly exfoliating,
and lemon juice brightens skin,
tightens the pores, and fights acne.
You can quickly and easily expand
your efforts by swapping sugar or salt
for the baking soda. Or, try substituting
the lemon juice with blood orange,
clementine, or grapefruit juice to vary
the color and scent.
Salt and sugar are great foundations
for scrubs. Most sugars are fine
enough for the face. In fact, sugars are
perfect for lip scrubs, because you
get to enjoy a bit of sweetness instead
of a bitter or salty taste. In addition to
the traditional white granulated sugar,
consider fruit sugars, such as agave
nectar crystals or stevia, brown sugars,
light or dark, as well as demerara or
turbinado, and honey. That’s right,
the next time your honey crystallizes,
don’t despair. Make a scrub instead.
Coarser sugars and salts are better
suited for the less sensitive skin on
the body. However, they can be ground
to a finer consistency for use on the
delicate facial skin. Brown sugars
(because of the molasses content)
and honey are sticky, making them
great for polishing the rough skin on
elbows, knees, and feet.
Other readily available exfoliating
substances include cornmeal, oatmeal,
and ground coffee. (Yes, you can
utilize used coffee grounds to DIY and
repurpose at the same time!) Some
coarse ingredients, such as ground
apricot pits and nut shells, can actually
tear delicate skin, so use them
with care or regrind them as needed.
Many scrubs contain at least one,
if not several, types of oils that fall
into two broad categories: carrier
and essential. The addition of the
oils makes the scrubs ideal for exfoliating,
conditioning, healing, and
moisturizing at the same time.
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils, also known as base oils,
“carry” the essential oils used in many
scrubs. They are largely plant-based
and therefore beneficial to the body.
Olive and high-quality vegetable oil
are among the ones most commonly
used. Experts encourage the use of
cold-pressed oils whenever possible,
which means the oils are made by a
combination of grinding and low heat
so that the oils retain their character,
quality, and value. Given the variety
of carrier oils, it’s easy to add greater
benefits and dimension to your scrubs.
Other possible carrier oils include
sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, coconut
oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sesame
oil, shea butter, and vitamin E oil.
62
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Essential Oils
Essential oils are key ingredients for
customizing your scrubs. Most essential
oils are extracted from plants.
They are highly concentrated and
meant to be diluted before being used
on the skin, so be prudent when
employing them. That means adding
them by the drop, not the teaspoon!
There is a tremendous assortment
of essential oils with wide-ranging
medicinal properties. They’re used
to treat everything from anxiety and
depression to eczema to insect bites,
and many people swear by their
effectiveness. But each person’s skin
reacts differently, and some essential
oils may be harmful, so be sure to
research and use them with care.
A great way to begin creating scrubs
with oils is to start with a simple
body scrub using items you probably
already have on hand. Blend
two teaspoons of olive oil with one
teaspoon of sea salt to effortlessly
create a moisturizing, nourishing
scrub. By simply adding an essential
oil such as eucalyptus or lavender—
just a drop or two will do—you can
create a scrub that is either invigorating
or calming, depending on your
mood and needs.
Make Scrubs as Gifts!
When making scrubs for gift-giving,
you may want to stick with body
scrubs to avoid causing problems to
the more exposed, more sensitive
facial skin.
Many of the ingredients used in
making your own scrubs aren’t
regulated, so purchase them from
reliable sources. In addition, terms
like “natural” and “pure” are highly
subjective, so ask questions, read
labels thoroughly, and be wary of
anything that promises too much.
The color, scent, and texture of added
ingredients can help to intensify and
personalize the appeal and interest
of your scrubs.
• Dried juniper berries, lavender,
rose buds, and various kinds of
flower petals delight the eye.
Place your scrubs in glass containers
and store them in the refrigerator to
extend their shelf life. Remember,
natural ingredients are highly perishable.
Consider charming glass
bottles, jars, vials, and even test
tubes to hold your scrubs. Embellish
the containers with colorful ribbon
or string, some pretty paper, and
some stalks of dried herbs to add
polish to their appearance. Attach
gift tags or enclosures with instructions
and thoughtful messages to
complete your beautiful presentation.
Trying out different mixtures for your
scrubs and coming up with signature
blends can be deeply satisfying.
Undoubtedly, your own skin will be
healthy and radiant, and you’ll surely
rub your recipients the right way, too!
• Bits of anise stars, cinnamon sticks,
and vanilla bean stalks add earthy
texture and rich fragrance.
• Dried citrus peel, dried herbs, and
loose herbal tea can enhance and
reinforce the essence of your blends.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 63

Facts about Bats
aka Natural Mosquito Killers*
• Bats are not blind and can see in the dark.
• Bats use a type of sonar to navigate, which
means they have an extremely good sense of
direction. So, contrary to what many people
believe, bats do not fly into your hair.
• While bats, like all other mammals, can get
rabies, the truth is that not many bats
contract the disease.
• A single brown bat can catch 1,200
mosquito-sized insects in one hour
(*and there are no smelly lotions to apply!).
• A colony of 150 big brown bats can protect
local farmers by consuming up to 33
million or more rootworms each summer.
• Bats can live up to 30 years.
• Bats are vital to rain forests. Many trees
rely on bat populations for pollination
and seed dispersal.
• Bats are also imperative to many foods
and derivatives, including dates, bananas,
guavas, balsa woods, vanilla, tequila, and
chewing gum.
• Populations of bats are currently being
threatened by loss of habitat and
deliberate killing.
• There is a bat that does suck blood–the
vampire bat; however, it does not like
human blood but the blood of cattle and
birds (and it does not kill these animals).
The vampire bat lives in Central and South
America.
Recipe Contest:
LEMONS!
W
hen life gives you lemons,
you turn them into lemonade,
pie, bread, or a winning
recipe! We’re looking for unusual,
tasty, and original lemon recipes
for our new recipe contest.
Win cash prizes: 1st place $250; 2nd place
$150; 3rd place $100. No professional cooks
please. All recipes become property of
Farmers’ Almanac. Wining recipes will be
printed online and in the Farmers’ Almanac.
Entries must be received by Feb. 15, 2016.
Turn to page 8
for Last Year’s
Winning MUFFIN
Recipes!
To submit:
FarmersAlmanac.com/recipe-contest or
mail to: Farmers’ Almanac Recipe Contest,
70 Mt Hope Ave, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA.
For more delicious recipes to try at home, check out
FarmersAlmanac.com
64
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 65

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G
Snow Fun
What’s at the bottom
of a snowman?
Rain, Rain Go Away
If it’s raining at midnight,
will there be
sunny weather
in 72 hours?
ANSWERS
BRAINTEASERS
&RIDDLES
Clouds
What type of cloud is
so lazy it will never
get up?
Rainy Day
What happens when
it rains cats and
dogs?
Name That Number
If you were to spell out the numbers
in full, (One, Two, Three, etc.), how
far would you have to go until you
found the letter ‘A’?
Catch That Ball
How can you throw a ball as hard
as you can and have it come back
to you, even if it doesn’t bounce off
anything? There is nothing attached
to it, and no one else catches or
throws it back to you.
100 Buildings
A certain street contains 100 buildings.
They are numbered from 1 to
100. How many times does the digit
9 occur in these numbers?
Eyes Know It
What did one eye say
to the other?
Barrel Quiz
What can you put in
a barrel to make it
lighter?
Mysterious Man
A man wearing all
black clothes,
black shoes, and
a black hat was
walking
down a
street. The
street lamps
are off. A
black car
with its
headlights
off comes speeding
down the
road, but misses the
man barely. How did the
driver see the man?
Palindrome Riddle ...
What words becomes a palindrome when viewed upside down and backwards?
Snow Fun Two feet of snow • Rain, Rain Go Away No, because in 72 hours it will be midnight again
• Clouds Fog • Eyes Know It Between us something smells • Rainy Day You have to be careful
not to step in a poodle • Name That Number One thousand • Catch That Ball Throw the ball
straight up in the air • Barrel Quiz A hole • 100 Buildings 20 • Mysterious Man It was daytime
• Palindrome Riddle SWIMS, NOON
66
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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many couldn’t afford the expense, which
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
67

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G
Top Tips for
Healthier Dogs
B Y B E T H H E R M A N
Just under half of U.S. households own at least one dog, and Canadian
statistics put the canine ownership quotient at about 35 percent. It
isn’t much of a leap to say North Americans are crazy about Rover
and Fifi, or Jack and Sophie with the ongoing trend to name our cherished
pets as we would our children.
The bond between humans and their canine companions continues
to grow, evidenced by multi-billion dollar, pet-related industries.
These include high-quality foods and healthy treats; clothing and
toys; medical care; and companion animal travel—the last of which
has exploded in recent years. Why leave
Jasper behind when any number of hotels,
campgrounds, and resorts now offer pet
beds, homemade treats, pet concierges,
and various dog-oriented activities
and amenities—even massages.
But with all the choices out
there to provide the best care
for our pets, what are some
tips to help ensure they live
long, healthy lives?
According to Dr. Jeff Mayerson,
DVM, a Lewiston, Maine,
veterinarian with nearly a
quarter-century in practice,
among the key issues
affecting animals today are
obesity, the lack of dental care,
and lack of attention paid to
age-related issues, including
osteoarthritis. “We’re trying to
get our dogs to be able to live a
lot longer,” he says. “One way we
can help them achieve this is
through early screening to
detect diseases connected
with aging.”
68

Early Disease Detection
Is it possible to stave off conditions associated with aging pets?
Dr. Mayerson recommends getting a baseline blood chemistry
value for animals at middle age: around age 7 for dogs
and age 8 for cats. “For us, it’s like getting our cholesterol,
kidney values, and blood sugar screened to find out what
the organ systems look like at middle age,” he explains. In
that respect, a baseline value is established for comparison,
to be followed up by annual testing. “We can then
pick (developing) things up earlier, often before an animal
gets sick,” he says, in many instances allowing for preventative,
mitigating, or intervening measures.
Dr. Suzanne Best, DVM, CVA, a long-time veterinarian
in Norway, Maine, whose practice is both Western and
holistic, says the right diet—a high-quality food—and
exercise will influence the road to aging. “Lessening the
stress around them is also key,” she says, noting, as with humans, the difference
in the overall health of a dog who spends his years in a relatively
stress-free environment.
Obesity
How and why do we need to maintain
a healthy body weight in our pets?
Dr. Mayerson believes we tend to
feed our animals more food than
they actually need, something he
calls “free feeding” rather than measuring. Additionally, he maintains
many of the grain-free foods now on the market are higher in calories than
traditional pet food. If people automatically feed the same number of cups
or cans per day as they always have, it may result in overfeeding. Obesity
is often the gateway to heart, liver, and kidney problems, diabetes, and
serious joint issues. With food, feeding guidelines on the bag or can is not
necessarily the way to go, he says.
It’s best to consult with a veterinarian who knows your pet and can recommend
appropriate amounts based on size, activity levels, age, health
needs: Is your dog pregnant or lactating? Recuperating from illness or
surgery? Practicing for agility trials? These and more can affect recommended
calorie intake.
For snacks, instead of traditional dog biscuits which can be high in
calories and preservatives, try feeding your dog baby carrots, uncooked
broccoli, or pieces of apple, pear, peach, watermelon, cantaloupe, and other
fruit. Pieces of (cooked, of course) boneless, skinless chicken breast, fish,
or other proteins are also good alternatives to more common high-calorie
canine snacks.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 69

Also, nothing beats exercise (for dogs and their humans!) to stave off
weight gain, improve circulation, increase oxygen intake for optimal brain
function, keep joints limber, provide for better sleep, and release those
all-important “feel better” endorphins. A brisk, daily, 20- to 30-minute walk
(longer if you have the time) can do the job. Even a prolonged ball toss-andretrieve
in the yard works if your dog is predisposed to running after balls.
Teeth and Oral Hygiene
How important is teeth-cleaning
and brushing for dogs?
First, while puppies and younger dogs generally
sport pearly whites, and just like with
humans enamel tends to darken with age,
good oral hygiene is important for dogs of all
ages. Mouth odor can indicate anything from
stomach and digestive disorders to periodontal
disease, tartar, plaque build-up, and gingivitis—
which in turn may lead to heart, liver, and kidney
issues. A visit to the vet to determine the cause is
always suggested.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, preventative
dental care should include an occasional dental cleaning (at an annual
check-up, your vet can look for tartar build-up to determine when it needs
to be repeated) and consistent at-home brushing. Never use human
toothpaste, however, as certain ingredients like fluoride are toxic for dogs.
Purchase specially made canine toothpaste to stay the course to optimal
oral health.
Dr. Mayerson says if possible, begin very early to acclimate your dog
to brushing by gently using your finger, maybe with some dog toothpaste
(most are flavored: beef, chicken, seafood, malt), to rub along the teeth and
gum line and remove food. While there is a proliferation of dental sticks
and dental-oriented treats on the market, and some pet owners advocate
providing crunchy snacks like baby carrots and apple slices, they don’t do
much more than dry food, Mayerson explains, comparing sticks, crunchy
treats, and dry food to humans eating crunchy granola bars every day.
Sugars and plaque build up. “We still need to brush.”
Osteoarthritis
What are the symptoms of encroaching joint issues in pets?
Just like with aging humans, older and even middle-aged animals experience
deterioration of their joints. This may be demonstrated by slowing
down, stiffness, limping, or lameness, “creakiness,” loss of appetite (a key
indicator of pain), staying away from humans or craving more frequent than
usual interaction, or inability to find a comfortable position and place to rest.
(continued)
70
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 71

A visit to the vet is always advisable, and many recommend a glucosamine
chondroitin supplement. Dr. Mayerson says a month or so should
determine if it makes a difference. He cautions against using human formulas,
however, as veterinary formulas available at your vet office or through
other sources are of a higher concentration. Once pain is established on a
regular basis, and glucosamine isn’t enough, stronger remedies including
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) may be warranted. “You never
want to give your pet ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen because
those can be toxic to animals,” Dr. Mayerson cautions.
Dr. Best believes a change in food can often ease the symptoms of arthritis,
endorsing a grain-free or raw diet. “I’ve seen amazing results in dogs
previously on long-term dry food diets, where the food had corn and grain,”
she says, adding that not every dog can withstand a raw diet, however.
“They have so much more energy with such a simple change,” she says of
both raw and grain-free. Dr. Best also uses MSM (methylsulfonylmethane),
an inexpensive dietary supplement which she says is very effective, as
is acupuncture. “Today it can be done with a handheld laser, if you know
where the exact acupuncture points are,” she explains. “In my experience,
acupuncture makes a difference more than 90 percent of the time.”
“Like with people, the more you sit, the less limber your joints will be,” Dr.
Mayerson says. “Some activity is important, gauged by how much the animal
is willing to do. Less movement leads to obesity, which means more
pressure on the joints, so the pet doesn’t want to move. It’s a vicious cycle.”
Ear Infections
How common are ear problems in pets?
Is your dog shaking her head more than usual? Aggressively scratching
at an ear? Is there an odor or discharge coming from one or both of
them? What about uncharacteristic back-and-forth
eye movements (that’s right: eye movements) or
lack of balance? While in a healthy ear there’s the
right balance of yeast and bacteria, infections
can be the result of allergies, excess yeast and
bacteria, ear mites or hair growth deep in
the ear canal. A visit to the vet is always
recommended, and Dr. Best says even
a diet being fed to a dog that is not
well utilized can affect an immune
system, causing inflammation/ear
infections. “Sometimes a novel
protein—something which a dog
has never been exposed to before,
like fish—now the foundation of
many good quality pet foods—
can change the course of chronic
infections.”
72
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

BEST DAYS TO SET EGGS IN 2016
According to Moon lore and Almanac tradition, for best results you should
set eggs (place eggs under a hen or in an incubator) during specific phases of
the moon shown on the dates below. A chick usually takes about 21 days to hatch.
JANUARY 1, 20, 21, 28, 29
FEBRUARY 16, 17, 24-26
MARCH 23, 24
APRIL 19, 20, 29
MAY 16-18, 26, 27
JUNE 13, 14, 22-24
JULY 20, 21
AUGUST 16, 17, 25
SEPTEMBER 12-14, 22, 23
OCTOBER 9-11, 19, 20
NOVEMBER 15-17
DECEMBER 13, 14, 21
Animal Gestation & Incubation Table
This table lists the gestation times of certain animals.
This is the period of time between the impregnation of
the ovum and birth of the young. In egg-laying animals, it
is the period of incubation.
Animal Average Young Gestation in Days
Elephant 1 600
Giraffe 1 420
Donkey 1 365
Seal 3 50
Horse 1 346
Cow 1 283
Human 1 280
Monkey 1 164
Goat 1 or 2 151
Sheep 1 or 2 150
Pig 10 120
Lion 2 to 4 110
Fox 5 to 8 63
Dog 6 to 8 63
Cat 4 to 6 63
Rabbit 4 to 8 30
Rat 10 22
Mouse 10 21
Turkey 12 to 15 26 to 30
Duck 9 to 12 25 to 32
Goose 15 to 18 27 to 33
Hen 12 to 15 19 to 24 (avg. 21)
Canary 3 or 4 13 to 14
5 Tips for Successful
Backyard Chicken Raising
1. Check with local ordinances. If
you haven’t done so yet, be sure
that backyard chickens are allowed
in your neighborhood. Sometimes
they are, but with limitations.
2. Do you have the space? Maybe
you’ve thought of raising free-range
chickens (be sure it’s allowed) or
perhaps you want to fence them in.
Whichever you decide, chickens
need a coop for nesting and laying
eggs as well as for protection.
Many wild animals including foxes,
raccoons, and hawks have been
known to take chickens right out of
people’s backyards. Rule of thumb is
about 3–4 square feet per chicken
inside the henhouse and 10 square
feet per chicken in an outside run.
3. More than one. Chickens are
known to be sociable animals so it’s
recommended you get at least three
at a time. They can be different
breeds. If you’re raising chickens
for their eggs, on average, 3 hens
will give you 2 eggs a day. Some
recommended breeds include: The
Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock,
and Ameracuana. For meat, many
suggest the Jersey Giant.
4. Easy access. Be sure that your
coop is easily accessible for cleaning
and retrieving eggs.
5. Food and water. Be sure your
chickens have fresh water and plenty
of food. You can feed chickens your
vegetable scraps that may have
gone in the compost, and in return,
you will get some excellent fertilizer.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 73

H E A L T H Y L I V I N G
Can TEA
help you
feel better?
By Deborah Tukua
Do you reach for a soothing cup of hot tea when you aren’t feeling
well? Warm beverages, especially teas are soothing to a sore
throat. Stirring raw honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
into a cup of hot tea add to its healing benefits. Drinking tea
has other health benefits too, depending on your choice, and
is known to enhance immune function, and relieve a variety of
minor ailments such as insomnia, nausea, indigestion, headache,
motion sickness, and respiratory issues. Tea contains flavonoids,
naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant properties which help
the body to fight off disease. Don’t wait until you’re sick to enjoy tea,
hot or cold, especially with all the flavorful varieties available from
around the world. As consumers are becoming more health conscious,
the shift from soft drinks to healthier beverages like tea is on the rise.
74
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage on the
planet, and can be found in almost 80% of all U.S. households.
According to the Tea Association, “It is the only beverage commonly
served hot or iced, anytime, anywhere, for any occasion.” On any
given day, over 158 million Americans are drinking tea. How
do Americans take their tea? About 85% of the tea consumed
in America is refreshing black, iced. In Canada, 10 billion
cups of tea are consumed each year, which is
equivalent to about 300 cups per person.
T E A V A R I E T I E S
BLACK TEA is made by fermenting the leaves of the Camellia sinesis tea
plant. People in the western hemisphere are most familiar with black tea. It’s
long been used in the southern states to make thirst-quenching pitchers of
iced tea, and as a hot tea in the northeast.
OOLONG TEA is made by bruising, fermenting and pan-firing the leaves of
the Camellia sinesis. It’s also known as Wulong tea, thought to date back to
the Ming dynasty in the 16th century. It is traditionally served in Chinese
restaurants. It is between black and green tea in strength and color.
PU’ERH TEA is made by partially fermenting the leaves of wild and semiwild
broad leaf tea trees found in China. It was consumed in ancient religious
ceremonies.
GREEN TEA is made from steaming, instead of fermenting the leaves of the
Camellia sinesis. It has become the most popular type of tea, originating in
Asia. Loose green teas are often combined with dried flowers, fruits, and
herbs to create fragrant, flavored and medicinal teas. It contains less caffeine
than coffee or black tea. Matcha is a popular green tea that has been
consumed for centuries in Chinese and Japanese ceremonies.
WHITE TEA is made from leaves of the Camellia sinesis. It is the least processed
and purest of all teas.
H E R B A L T E A S
They are not derived from Camellia sinesis, but are prepared
from fresh or dried leaves, roots, flowers, seeds,
berries or bark of innumerable plants. People have been
drinking herbal teas long before recorded history.
TULSI (Holy Basil) is an aromatic herb from India that has
been consumed as a tea for more than 5,000 years and is
caffeine free.
CHAI is exotic spiced tea. Loose leaf blends of herbal chai
teas contain a variety of natural botanicals, which may
include: ginger root, cinnamon bark, rooibos tea, cardamom,
clove, nutmeg, vanilla bean, holy basil, or cacao.
Some may contain caffeine. (continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
75

MORINGA is made by harvesting leaves from the Moringa oleifera tree and
drying them at low temperatures. It’s consumed in India and the Philippines.
YERBA MATE is made from the dried leaves and stems of a South American
holly. It is a stimulating beverage containing caffeine and is Paraguay’s
national beverage.
RED TEA or Rooibos tea is a popular healing herbal tea derived from the
South African red bush. It is naturally caffeine free.
M E D I C I N A L H E R B A L T E A S
There are many healing herbs on the market. A partial listing of herbs readily available
and the qualities each possess when consumed in a tea concoction follows.
BLACKBERRY (leaves) – diarrhea remedy.
BURDOCK (plant, roots, seeds) – antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal
properties works to prevent cancer, purifies the blood, restores gallbladder
and liver function, enhances digestive and immune function, helps reduce
menopausal symptoms and gout.
CATNIP (leaves) – relieves stress and colic. Helps with digestion and sleep.
CHAMOMILE (flowers, plant) – nerve tonic, relieves stress, anxiety and
indigestion, stimulates the appetite, aids sleep and eases headaches. Do
not consume if allergic to ragweed.
CINNAMON (bark) – helps regulate blood sugar to prevent diabetes. It
enhances digestion, boosts metabolism for weight loss, and relieves nausea
and diarrhea.
CLOVE (flower buds) – aids digestion and relieves toothaches.
GINGER (roots) – cleanses the colon and is useful for bowel disorders, headaches,
hot flashes, nausea, muscle pain, and vomiting.
GINSENG (roots) – boosts energy levels and combats fatigue.
LEMON BALM (leaves, stems) – calms, relieves tension, uplifts the spirits,
eases headaches, indigestion and nausea, and helps lower blood pressure.
How to Make a Cup of Herbal/Loose Leaf Tea
Are you ready to take tea making to the next
level and go beyond the tea bag? Loose
leaf tea is gaining in popularity. If you have
containers of herbs growing on the patio or buy
loose herbs and teas, you can enjoy making
your own teas. When making tea blends, herbs
can be combined with black, green, or white
tea, if desired. Many online tea suppliers offer
flavorful blends and supplies for specialty teas.
76
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
Directions: To make a
cup of herb tea, add 2
teaspoons fresh leaves (or 1
tsp. dried herbs/tea leaves) to a stainless steel
tea ball or in a small reusable, muslin teabag.
Place into a glass or ceramic teacup. Pour in
1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 4 to
6 minutes. Remove tea ball or teabag and enjoy
with lemon, honey, or coconut milk.

MORINGA (leaves, pods) – has high levels of vitamins and minerals: iron,
calcium, protein, potassium, and vitamins A and C, and is used around the
world to remedy malnutrition. It is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, including
Quercetin. It boosts the immune system, increases energy, stamina,
mental clarity, healing, and wellness.
PEPPERMINT (flowering tops, leaves) – relieves indigestion, chills, fever,
motion sickness, and nausea.
RED RASPBERRY (bark, leaves, roots) – reduces menstrual bleeding and
cramps, diarrhea remedy, relieves nausea and morning sickness when
combined with mint.
RED CLOVER (flowers) – purifies the blood, good for bacterial infections,
coughs, bronchitis, liver and kidney problems, and weakened immune system.
ROSEHIP (fruit of the rose) – relieves diarrhea and infections and is a good
source of vitamin C.
TULSI (leaves) – contains hundreds of health-enhancing compounds.
Boosts the immune system, calming, stress reducer. It optimizes blood
sugar levels and healthy metabolism, provides joint and skeletal support.
TURMERIC (powder or grated root) – is an Asian spice that contains curcumin,
a powerful healing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
It helps prevent plaque formation in the arteries, and may help prevent
cataracts.
YARROW – relieves measles and chicken pox, and reduces fever and
inflammation.
YERBA MATE (leaves) – is revered worldwide for its health and healing
benefits. Yerba mate contains more than 196 active compounds surpassing
green tea (Camellia sinensis) which contains around 144. It contains
tannins, antioxidants, polyphenols, amino acids, saponins, vitamins, and
flavonoids. It has traditionally been brewed as a caffeinated tea to relieve
mental and physical fatigue. It is considered useful for allergies, constipation,
and inflammatory bowel disorders. It fights free radicals, cleanses the
blood, and suppresses appetite.
(continued)
Caution: Drinking piping hot tea increases the
likelihood of developing esophageal (throat)
cancer. Wait at least four minutes before drinking
a cup of freshly boiled tea.
Recommended Daily Consumption: Scientists
suggest drinking two or more 8-ounce cups per
day for health benefits. Studies have found that
the effects of drinking a cup of green tea last
for up to 20 hours.
Brew Your Own: A recent study found that
the teas with the highest amounts of antioxidants
are brewed at home. Testing of bottled
teas found extremely low levels of polyphenol
antioxidants. One cup of home-brewed tea
contained antioxidants equal to 20 bottles of
tea. Note: The data in this article is for informational
purposes only and is not a thorough
or complete report on any herb or tea. Before
taking an herb for medicinal uses, consult a
reference guide or your health professional for
side effects, etc., especially if you are taking
medications, pregnant, or nursing.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 77

Health benefits of
tea consumption
Studies show that drinking three or more
cups of BLACK TEA per day reduces the
risk of stroke and heart disease. Black tea
consumption is also associated with
a lower risk of skin cancer.
G R E E N / W H I T E T E A
These teas, especially white are minimally processed, thus, they contain
more essential compounds than black tea. Drinking its powerful
antioxidants provide a wide range of health benefits, which include ridding
the body of cell damaging free radicals; lowering the risk of breast,
colon and skin cancers; stroke prevention; promoting heart health;
healthy gums; and reducing psychological stress. White and green tea also
enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics and has antiviral, antibacterial,
and antifungal properties to further strengthen your immune defenses,
and has been found to halt the production and spread of tumor cells.
✔ Prevents Tooth Decay/Gum Disease
Antioxidant-rich white and green tea
has anti-inflammatory effects which
fight gum disease and cavity-causing
bacteria in the mouth.
✔ Weight Loss A study in Switzerland
found that drinking two to three cups
of green tea daily causes an additional
80 extra calories to be burned each
day, without increasing the heart rate.
Thus, green tea aids weight loss by
elevating your metabolism, increasing
fat oxidations, and improving insulin
activity.
✔ Diabetes Prevention Green tea helps
regulate blood sugar.
✔ Glaucoma Prevention According to
HealthDay reports, tissues in the eye
absorb the protective catachins (antioxidants)
in green tea. The catachins
naturally consists of health-enhancing
vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Green tea consumption could
protect the eye against oxidative stress.
✔ Stress Reducer Some studies suggest
that green tea reduces mental
fatigue and psychological distress and
eases depression in the elderly.
✔ Neurological Health Research shows
that drinking tea (green and black) may
reduce age-related memory decline and
protect against Alzheimer’s.
78
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 79

Is It Ripe?
Fruit That Ripens After
It’s Been Picked
Keep in mind that, with the exception
of avocados, all fruits have their best
flavor when picked ripe or almost
ripe. However, the following will
continue to ripen and improve somewhat
after picking:
• Apples
(best if tree-ripened, but
can be picked a week
early for longer
storage)
• Apricots
• Avocados
(ONLY ripen after picking)
• Bananas
(will ripen a great deal
and can be picked
green)
• Cantaloupes
• Kiwifruit
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Persimmons
• Plums
• Tomatoes
Foods That Should Be
Ripe When Picked
These foods are best picked when
fully ripe:
• Berries
(strawberries, blueberries,
blackberries, raspberries)
• Cherries
• Citrus Fruits
(oranges, lemons,
limes, grapefruit)
• Cucumbers
• Eggplants
• Figs
• Grapes
• Olives
• Peppers
• Pineapples
• Pomegranates
• Summer Squash
• Watermelons
To Ripen Quicker:
Try placing the fruit
in a paper bag and
leaving at room
temperature.
80
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

To Refrigerate ...
For best flavor, store the following
foods in the refrigerator:
• Apples
(for more than 7 days)
• Apricots
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cherries
• Cut Fruit
• Cut Vegetables
• Endive
• Figs
• Grapes
• Green Beans
• Leafy Vegetables
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Sprouts
• Summer Squash
• Sweet Corn
Note: Fruits and vegetables
should never be stored in the
same crisper in the refrigerator.
Vegetables need moisture and
fruit does best in low humidity.
... Or Not?
Store the following foods only at
room temperature:
• Apples
(if eating in less than 7 days)
• Bananas
• Citrus Fruits
• Mangoes
• Melons
• Papaya
• Persimmons
• Pineapples
• Pomegranates
• Cucumbers*
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Jicama
• Onions
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Pumpkins
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Winter Squash
*Note: Most people store their
cucumbers in the refrigerator,
but for best flavor experts say
they should be stored out of
the refrigerator.
Let these ripen first, then
put in the refrigerator:
• Avocados
• Kiwifruit
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 81

Get the Skinny on Fats
A look at why fat is important for a healthy lifestyle.
What’s the first thing that
comes to mind when you
hear the word “fat”? Do
you think of extra flesh that you
can pinch? For decades, dietary
fat has been wrongly labeled as a
food to avoid, and has been considered
by some to be detrimental to
our health, as if it were the cause
of excess fat on the body. As our
society continues to get heavier,
it’s important to understand what
makes us prone to sickness and
weight gain. In a nutshell, eating
fat does not make you fat. Like any
other food group there are fats that
we should avoid and fats that we
should consume daily for essential,
health-boosting, and nutritional
benefits.
82
By Deborah Tukua
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
How Essential Are Dietary Fats?
A diet high in healthy fat and low
in carbohydrates helps keep our
arteries clear and insulin levels low
so our body burns fat properly and
produces energy. Good fats reduce
inflammation in the body, slow the
aging process, aid in cancer prevention,
hormone production, brain
development, and cellular healing.
Fats to Avoid
Refining methods developed in
the last century have led to the
extraction and refining of oils from
foods such as soybean and corn
that were never before consumed
in large amounts. Fats put through
a chemical process yield partially
hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils

and unhealthy trans fats. When consumed
they cause dysfunction in the
body on a cellular level, double the
risks of heart disease, and increase
the likelihood of cancer, autoimmune
disease, insulin resistance, and obesity.
In the past 50 years, we have
seen a drastic rise in these chronic
conditions as excessive amounts of
omega-6 fats from refined vegetable
oils, processed foods, and grain-fed,
instead of grass-fed, animal products
are consumed.
To prevent health risks, avoid
consuming genetically modified
fats and refined, hydrogenated vegetable
oils which contain excessive
amounts of inflammation-causing
omega-6 (polyunsaturated fats) fatty
acids: corn, cottonseed, canola,
peanut, soybean and safflower oils,
vegetable shortening, and margarine.
These health-robbing oils are
used in fried and fast foods, and in
processed, packaged foods. When
buying crackers, baked goods,
salad dressings, or packaged, processed
items, read the labels, and
try to avoid those containing these
unhealthy oils.
Healthy Balance
Deficiencies in omega-3 fats have
been linked to allergies and increased
inflammation in the body, which is
a precursor for disease. A healthy
diet consists of a balanced ratio of
quality sources of both omega-3
and omega-6 fats. It’s not that one is
bad and the other is good, as each
performs unique functions in the
body, contributing to our health.
Heart-healthy fats are derived from
whole foods that are unprocessed,
unrefined, GMO-free, and organic.
Most Western diets consume some
excessive amounts of omega-6 fats
to omega-3 in an unhealthy ratio
between 10:1 and 25:1.
Dr. Eric L. Zielinski, chiropractor
and public health researcher, of
www.drericz.com further explains
this imbalance and the correct
ratio. “As the global diet continues
toward eating everything out of a
box, omega-6 fatty acid processed
vegetable oils, and processed
foods have caused most people’s
omega-3/omega-6 ratio to go off
kilter.” He continues, “Essentially,
because high amounts of omega-6
fatty acids produce systemic
inflammation in the human body,
the more omega-3 people eat, the
less omega-6 will be available to
produce inflammation. This is not
to say that omega-6 fatty acids are
harmful. They’re quite necessary
for life, but in moderation and in a
1:1 omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.”
Strive for a balanced intake of
antioxidant rich sources of omega-3
and omega-6 fats in your diet; consume
organic, unprocessed oils:
extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil,
grass-fed butter, ghee, cold-water
fish, avocados, nuts and seeds.
What Are Healthy Dietary Fats?
Cold pressed, extra virgin olive
oil has been found to help maintain
healthy blood pressure and cholesterol
levels, prevent heart disease,
and reduce inflammation in the
body. It is best known as part of a
healthy Mediterranean diet, and is
often drizzled on fish and vegetables,
and is used in salad dressings.
One thing about olive oil that most
people may not be aware of is that
it is best consumed right out of the
bottle and not heated. Olive oil has
a low smoke point. Cooking with
olive oil at temperatures (continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 83

exceeding 200°F causes it to oxidize
and become hydrogenated, thus
removing the healthy properties
it contained at room temperature.
When shopping, purchase cold
pressed olive oil in dark green glass
bottles, not plastic. Cold pressed
means that no heating was used
in the crushing process, so the oil
retains its vital nutrients.
Unrefined coconut oil It is one
of the most versatile and healthiest
foods you can eat and is nature’s
richest source of medium chain
fatty acids (MCTs), also known
as medium chain triglycerides.
Coconut oil differs from other
plant-based oils. Most vegetables
oils are composed of longer chain
fatty acids, or triglycerides (LCTs),
that are stored in the body as fat.
The medium-chain fatty acids in
coconut oil increase the body’s
metabolism, and readily convert
to energy instead of being stored in
the body as fat. Because coconut oil
burns body fat, it promotes weight
loss and is more effective than a
low-fat diet at reducing stored body
fat. The MCTs, including lauric acid
in coconut oil are similar to the fats
in mother’s breast milk and have
similar health benefits.
Coconut oil has other nutraceutical
benefits which include
improving digestion, balancing
blood sugar and hormones, eliminating
candida, increasing HDL,
lowering LDL cholesterol, and
reducing the risk of heart disease.
It has antimicrobial, antifungal,
antibacterial, and antioxidant properties
that ward off viruses and
bacteria in the body. It can be used
topically to reduce wrinkles and
moisturize the skin. The healthy
saturated fats in coconut oil are
able to withstand high heat, making
it the best oil to use for sautéing
and cooking foods or when making
popcorn. An easy way to get a daily
dose of coconut oil and a boost of
energy is to add a spoonful to a cup
of hot chocolate, coffee, or blender
beverage each morning.
Grass-fed butter contains just the
right balance of omega-3 and omega-6
fats. Butter from grass-fed cows
contains high levels of conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA), which help
protect against various cancers
and assists the body in storing
muscle instead of fat. Butter also
contains fatty acids which helps
prevent infections in the gastrointestinal
tract. It is also an important
source of good cholesterol, which
assists in brain and nervous system
development and is necessary for
healthy cellular functions.
Wild Alaskan salmon, Atlantic
mackerel, Arctic char,
also other wild-caught,
cold water fish, and fish
or krill oil supplements
contain a healthy boost
of omega-3, essential
fatty acids (EFAs) which
work to reduce the risks
84 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

of: heart disease, artery-clogging
plaque or blood clots, diabetes
by improving blood sugar levels,
inflammatory diseases, some cancers
and Alzheimer’s. It helps give
your skin a youthful glow from the
inside out, reduces sensitivity to
the sun, and helps heal skin conditions
such as psoriasis.
Avocado is an excellent source of
monounsaturated fats that help regulate
blood sugar levels and reverse
insulin resistance. This fruit is
rich in nutrients, protein, and fiber
which help burn fat and maintain
a healthy weight. Avocado is most
commonly used to make guacamole,
but also adds a delicious, creamy
thickness to some homemade salad
dressings, puddings, blender beverages,
and ice cream.
Nuts and seeds such as walnuts,
almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews,
pecans, pistachios, macadamia
nuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds,
hemp seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin
seeds are all excellent sources
of healthy fats. Nuts have a fat
content of about 80%. Studies have
found that eating nuts reduces the
risk of developing blood clots and
high blood pressure. Consuming
nuts supports nerve system function,
heart health, brain function,
mental clarity and alertness, and
prevents depression and Parkinson’s
disease. Seeds are also a
good source of omega-3, vitamins,
and antioxidants that support
brain function, combat depression,
and boost immune function. It is
important to read the food labels
when buying shelled nuts and
seeds as many on the market contain
added sugar, lots of salt, and
unhealthy, refined oils.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 85

F A R M & G A R D E N
AVERAGE FROST DATES
The dates listed are normal averages for a light freeze/frost in selected towns.
The definition of a light freeze is when the temperatures are between 29 and 32
degrees F. During a light frost, tender plants may be killed, with little destructive
effect on more hardy vegetation.
There is a 50% probability that a frost may occur after the spring date and
before the fall date listed (as well as a 50% chance one could happen earlier in
the spring or later in the fall). Frost dates courtesy of the National Climatic Data
Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
Birmingham, AL Apr 2 Nov 9
Huntsville, AL Mar 30 Nov 4
Mobile, AL Feb 28 Nov 29
Montgomery, AL Mar 11 Nov 12
Anchorage, AK May 8 Sep 23
Fairbanks, AK May 15 Sep 8
Juneau, AK May 8 Oct 4
Nome, AK Jun 11 Aug 31
Flagstaff, AZ Jun 9 Sep 22
Phoenix, AZ Jan 30 Dec 16
Tucson, AZ Feb 16 Nov 29
Yuma, AZ Jan 24 Dec 20
Fort Smith, AR Mar 31 Oct 31
Jonesboro, AR Mar 29 Nov 4
Little Rock, AR Mar 22 Nov 12
Texarkana, AR Mar 13 Nov 16
Fresno, CA Feb 4 Dec 3
Red Bluff, CA Feb 22 Dec 1
Sacramento, CA Feb 10 Dec 4
San Bernardino, CA Jan 21 Dec 24
Tahoe City, CA Jun 18 Sep 19
Denver, CO Apr 30 Oct 4
Grand Junction, CO May 1 Oct 16
Julesburg, CO May 7 Sep 24
Pueblo, CO Apr 30 Oct 5
Danbury, CT May 1 Oct 9
Hartford, CT Apr 26 Oct 9
Stamford, CT Apr 29 Oct 17
Dover, DE Apr 8 Oct 30
Lewes, DE Apr 6 Nov 5
Wilmington, DE Apr 10 Oct 30
Washington, DC Mar 29 Nov 15
Jacksonville, FL Feb 26 Dec 3
Orlando, FL Jan 30 Jan 8
Tallahassee, FL Mar 22 Nov 17
Tampa, FL Jan 21 Jan 19
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
Atlanta, GA Mar 24 Nov 16
Augusta, GA Mar 30 Nov 7
Columbus, GA Mar 11 Nov 19
Savannah, GA Mar 1 Nov 25
Boise, ID May 5 Oct 8
Idaho Falls, ID May 27 Sep 20
Moscow, ID May 25 Sep 20
Salmon, ID May 25 Sep 20
Chicago, IL Apr 20 Oct 24
Mt. Vernon, IL Apr 14 Oct 14
Quincy, IL Apr 10 Oct 22
Springfield, IL Apr 13 Oct 13
Evansville, IN Apr 3 Nov 3
Indianapolis, IN Apr 18 Oct 18
South Bend, IN Apr 26 Oct 19
Terre Haute, IN Apr 20 Oct 15
Cedar Rapids, IA Apr 25 Oct 6
Des Moines, IA Apr 20 Oct 12
Fort Dodge, IA Apr 29 Oct 4
Sioux City, IA Apr 26 Oct 3
Garden City, KS Apr 27 Oct 11
Great Bend, KS Apr 13 Oct 19
Independence, KS Apr 8 Oct 25
Topeka, KS Apr 19 Oct 11
Ashland, KY May 4 Oct 13
Lexington, KY Apr 15 Oct 25
Mayfield, KY Apr 17 Oct 21
Murray, KY Apr 5 Oct 28
Alexandria, LA Mar 6 Nov 19
Baton Rouge, LA Feb 26 Nov 29
Monroe, LA Mar 3 Nov 15
Shreveport, LA Mar 10 Nov 18
Augusta, ME Apr 27 Oct 8
Bangor, ME May 7 Oct 7
Portland, ME May 2 Oct 6
Presque Isle, ME May 21 Sep 20
86
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

F A R M & G A R D E N
AVERAGE FROST DATES
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
Baltimore, MD Apr 11 Oct 29
Frederick, MD Apr 9 Oct 30
Salisbury, MD Apr 5 Oct 30
Boston, MA Apr 7 Nov 7
New Bedford, MA Apr 13 Nov 2
Worcester, MA Apr 26 Nov 14
Cheboygan, MI May 18 Oct 10
Detroit, MI Apr 26 Oct 17
Grand Rapids, MI May 5 Oct 8
Marquette, MI May 11 Oct 13
Baudette, MN May 16 Sep 21
Duluth, MN May 15 Oct 17
Minneapolis, MN Apr 30 Oct 5
Willmar, MN Apr 30 Oct 1
Greenville, MS Mar 9 Nov 17
Hattiesburg, MS Mar 12 Nov 19
Jackson, MS Mar 23 Nov 9
Tupelo, MS Apr 5 Oct 28
Jefferson City, MO Apr 13 Oct 18
Kansas City, MO Apr 7 Oct 28
Poplar Bluff, MO Apr 4 Oct 28
St. Louis, MO Apr 7 Oct 29
Billings, MT May 8 Sep 27
Bozeman, MT May 26 Sep 19
Glendive, MT May 2 Sep 29
Great Falls, MT May 17 Sep 22
Helena, MT May 19 Sep 18
Grand Island, NE Apr 26 Oct 8
North Platte, NE May 5 Oct 4
Omaha, NE Apr 21 Oct 12
Scottsbluff, NE May 3 Sep 27
Elko, NV Jun 9 Oct 10
Ely, NV Jun 18 Sep 6
Las Vegas, NV Feb 16 Nov 27
Reno, NV May 21 Oct 3
Berlin, NH May 20 Sep 21
Concord, NH May 20 Sep 21
Keene, NH May 13 Sep 26
Nashua, NH May 7 Oct 3
Atlantic City, NJ Mar 31 Nov 11
Cape May, NJ Apr 6 Nov 6
New Brunswick, NJ Apr 20 Oct 20
Newark, NJ Apr 3 Nov 7
Albuquerque, NM Apr 16 Oct 28
Carlsbad, NM Apr 3 Nov 3
Santa Rosa, NM Apr 19 Oct 22
Albany, NY May 2 Oct 3
Buffalo, NY Apr 24 Oct 19
Elmira, NY May 9 Oct 3
Lake Placid, NY Jun 7 Sep 11
New York City, NY Apr 1 Nov 15
Syracuse, NY Apr 28 Oct 13
Asheville, NC Apr 12 Oct 25
Charlotte, NC Apr 11 Nov 9
Fayetteville, NC Mar 28 Nov 5
Raleigh-Durham, NC Apr 10 Oct 28
Bismarck, ND May 14 Sep 21
Fargo, ND May 10 Sep 27
Grand Forks, ND May 10 Sep 27
Minot, ND May 9 Sep 28
Cincinnati, OH Apr 13 Oct 23
Cleveland, OH Apr 30 Oct 23
Columbus, OH Apr 26 Oct 13
Toledo, OH May 1 Oct 8
Beaver, OK Apr 18 Oct 14
Enid, OK Apr 4 Nov 3
Lawton, OK Mar 29 Nov 7
Tulsa, OK Mar 27 Nov 7
Baker, OR Jun 3 Sep 13
Eugene, OR Apr 22 Oct 19
Klamath Falls, OR Jun 7 Sep 18
Portland, OR Mar 23 Nov 15
Erie, PA Apr 29 Oct 29
Lebanon, PA Apr 27 Oct 13
Philadelphia, PA Apr 6 Nov 4
Pittsburgh, PA Apr 29 Oct 17
Wilkes Barre, PA Apr 26 Oct 16
Kingston, RI May 8 Oct 3
Providence, RI Apr 16 Oct 22
Charleston, SC Mar 9 Nov 25
Columbia, SC Apr 1 Nov 1
Florence, SC Mar 26 Nov 7
Greenville, SC Apr 4 Nov 4
Hot Springs, SD May 16 Sep 20
Pierre, SD May 2 Oct 3
Sioux Falls, SD May 3 Sep 28
Watertown, SD May 10 Sep 25
Chattanooga, TN Apr 1 Nov 4
Knoxville, TN Apr 16 Oct 22
Memphis, TN Mar 22 Nov 13
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 87

F A R M & G A R D E N
AVERAGE FROST DATES
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
Nashville, TN Apr 6 Oct 28
Amarillo, TX Apr 18 Oct 20
Dallas, TX Mar 3 Nov 25
Houston, TX Feb 8 Dec 20
San Antonio, TX Feb 28 Nov 25
Cedar City, UT May 21 Oct 1
Logan, UT May 14 Sep 29
Moab, UT Apr 14 Oct 19
Salt Lake City, UT Apr 19 Oct 25
Burlington, VT May 8 Oct 3
Montpelier, VT May 11 Oct 1
Rutland, VT May 13 Sep 28
Charlottesville, VA Apr 7 Oct 31
Norfolk, VA Mar 20 Nov 23
Richmond, VA Apr 6 Oct 30
Roanoke, VA Apr 13 Oct 22
City
Last Spring
Frost
First Fall
Frost
Olympia, WA May 5 Oct 6
Seattle, WA Mar 10 Nov 17
Spokane, WA May 2 Oct 3
Vancouver, WA Apr 20 Oct 15
Charleston, WV Apr 22 Oct 21
Martinsburg, WV Apr 19 Oct 19
Morgantown, WV Apr 30 Oct 18
Moundsville, WV Apr 30 Oct 19
Appleton, WI May 4 Oct 7
Eau Claire, WI May 7 Sep 29
Madison, WI May 10 Oct 2
Milwaukee, WI Apr 27 Oct 14
Casper, WY May 22 Sep 19
Cheyenne, WY May 12 Sep 26
Gillette, WY May 18 Sep 22
Green River, WY Jun 4 Sep 4
United States Department
of Agriculture Plant
Hardiness Zone Map
Gardeners and growers can determine which
plants are most likely to thrive in a specific area.
Visit their website here:
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Cold- and Frost-Tolerant Flowers and Vegetables
Seeds or seedlings of these cold-tolerant annuals can be planted in a garden
and will grow in cold soil and can usually survive a frost in the spring and
early autumn. They are: pot marigold, bachelor’s button, larkpsur,
sunflower, sweet pea, sweet alyssum, bells of Ireland,
forget-me-not, black-eyed Susan, pansy, viola, Johnny
jump-up, snapdragon, dusty miller, and phlox.
Frost-tolerant vegetables include beets, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower,
chard, collards, garlic, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions,
parsley, spinach, and turnips.
Vegetables susceptible to frost are beans, cantaloupes,
corn, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, squash,
tomatoes, and watermelons.
88 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

10 Companion Planting Ideas
for Pest Control
By Deborah Tukua
1Plant onions and or garlic as an insect deterrent
around or between all the other plants
that insects tend to disturb.
Keep borers from drilling into the base of fruit
2 trees in the orchard by planting a circle of
onions or garlic around the tree trunk.
3Garlic planted alongside raspberries will
stop beetles from destroying the crop.
4Bush beans planted in alternating rows
with potatoes protects each against Mexican
bean beetles and Colorado potato beetles,
respectively.
5Radishes deter beetles when planted
around crops of beans, peas, squash, melons,
and cucumbers.
Plant basil next to tomato plants to help protect
them from attack of harmful insects
6
and disease. This will also enhance the tomato
plant’s growth.
7The aromatic herb rosemary is a valuable
companion plant in the vegetable garden
as it deters bean beetles, cabbage moths, and
carrot flies.
8Interplanting catnip and tansy with zucchinis
and cucumbers reduces the population
of cucumber beetles.
9Plant petunia flowers around potatoes and
beans. Petunias help keep the Colorado
potato beetles away.
Grow tansy around your garden
and buildings 10
to keep ants away.
Ants carry aphids, so
discouraging the ants
will help keep the
aphids away from the
garden as well.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 89

F A R M & G A R D E N
GARDENING ACCORDING TO THE MOON QUICK VIEW TABLE
This table offers a quick year-at-a-glance view of the best times for
planting and gardening in 2016 where climate permits.
Plant
Aboveground
Crops
Plant Root
Crops
Transplant
Plant
Seedbeds
Plant
Flowers
Kill Plant
Pests
January
9, 12, 13,
17, 18, 21,
22
1-5, 8,
28-31
3-5, 30, 31
3-5, 21, 22,
30, 31
1, 2, 21, 22,
28, 29
6, 7, 10, 11,
14-16, 19,
20, 23-27
February
9, 10, 13,
14, 17, 18
1, 4-6,
24-28
1, 27, 28
1, 17, 18,
27, 28
17, 18,
24-26
2, 3, 7, 8, 11,
12, 15, 16,
19-23, 29
March
8, 11, 12,
15-17
3, 4, 7,
23-27, 30,
31
7, 25-27
15-17,
25-27
15-17, 23,
24
1, 2, 5, 6, 9,
10, 13, 14,
18-22, 28, 29
April
May
8, 9, 12, 13,
19-21
6, 9, 10,
16-20
4, 5, 22, 23,
26-28
1, 2, 5, 24,
25, 28, 29
4, 5, 22, 23
1, 2, 5, 28,
29
12, 13,
21-23
9, 10, 19, 20
12, 13,
19, 20
9, 10, 16-18
1-3, 6, 7, 10,
11, 14-18,
24, 25, 29,
30
3, 4, 7, 8,
11-15,
21-23, 26,
27, 30, 31
June
5-7, 12-16
1, 2, 20, 21,
24-26, 29,
30
1, 2, 24-26,
29, 30
5-7, 15, 16
5-7, 12-14
3, 4, 8-11,
17-19, 22,
23, 27, 28
July
August
4, 10-14,
17, 18
6-10, 14,
15
3, 22, 23,
26, 27, 30,
31
18, 19, 22,
23, 26-28
3, 22, 23,
26, 27, 30,
31
18, 19, 22,
23, 26-28
3, 4, 12-14,
30, 31
9, 10, 26-28
3, 4, 10, 11,
30, 31
6-8, 26-28
1, 2, 5-9, 15,
16, 19-21,
24, 25, 28,
29
1-5, 11-13,
16, 17, 20,
21, 24, 25,
29-31
September
2-6, 10, 11,
14, 15, 30
16, 19, 20,
23, 24
16, 19, 20,
23, 24
5, 6, 23, 24
2-4, 23,
24, 30
1, 7-9, 12,
13, 17, 18,
21, 22, 25-29
October
1-4, 7-9, 12,
13, 30, 31
16, 17, 20,
21, 27-29
16, 17, 20,
21, 29
2-4, 20, 21,
29-31
1, 20, 21,
27, 28
5, 6, 10, 11,
14, 15, 18,
19, 22-26
November
3-5, 8, 9,
12, 13
16, 17,
23-27
16, 17,
26, 27
16, 17,
26, 27
16, 17,
23-25
1, 2, 6, 7, 10,
11, 14, 15,
18-22, 28-30
December
1, 2, 5-7, 10,
11, 29
14, 15,
20-24, 28
14, 15,
23, 24
14, 15,
23, 24
14, 15,
20-22
3, 4, 8, 9, 12,
13, 16-19,
25-27, 30, 31
90
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 91

F A R M & G A R D E N
Browse through your local garden center in spring and you may be
perplexed by the choice between growing vegetables and flowers
from seeds, or transplanting green and growing plants that are
already several inches high.
Many gardeners end up with a mix of plants and seeds: Tomato plants
and cucumber seeds, pots of burgeoning begonias, and envelopes of tiny
marigold seeds. Purchasing impatiens and other annual flowers already
blooming in plastic pots remedies the northern gardener’s “impatience”
for color. But could you get the same amount of blooms for a fraction of the
cost by buying seeds? Or would a shorter growing season prevent seeds
sown in the Northeast or Upper Midwest from ever catching up to those
flowering annuals started in professional greenhouses when the snow was
still falling outside?
A combination of transplanting and direct seeding is probably optimal,
as long as you choose the best method for each individual crop or flower
variety. Here are some points to consider when asking yourself the
age-old gardening question: To seed or not to seed?
To seed or
not to seed.
A look at transplants vs. seeds and
which may be the better option.
By Judy Kneiszel
92
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

What’s your budget?
There’s no doubt about it, seeds are much less expensive than plants.
You can usually buy a whole packet of seeds for less than the cost of one
plant. But that’s not a savings if the seeds fail to germinate, fail to thrive in
your garden, or don’t produce a single blossom before the first frost. Also
consider a plant’s yield. One kohlrabi or turnip plant or seed produces
exactly one kohlrabi or turnip. Spending $2 for a pack of seeds nets you
dozens of the vegetables. A $2 kohlrabi or turnip plant will produce one
rather expensive kohlrabi or turnip.
How long is your growing season?
In many parts of the Northeast and Upper Midwest, it can snow in mid
April and freeze in October. That doesn’t give plants that require a long
growing season enough time to produce if sown directly in the garden.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 93

That’s why tomatoes, which can take four or five months to produce fruit
from the day they are planted from a seed, are best handled as transplants.
This goes for peppers and eggplants too. These plants are tender and can’t
be outside until all danger of frost has passed, which really shortens their
outdoor growing season in say, Minnesota. With flowers, people who live
in colder climates tend to want the instant color that comes with purchasing
and transplanting all but the fastest-growing annuals.
In an area with a longer growing season, one advantage to direct sowing
is the ability to stagger your plantings. Plant one row of green beans every
ten days and the plants from the seeds planted later will be producing
when the first plants to mature reach the end of their productivity.
Living in a more temperate climate doesn’t mean you have to start everything
from seeds, however. You may choose to start long-season crops
with plants rather than seeds simply for convenience sake, or for an earlier,
and perhaps longer, harvest.
How fast growing is this crop?
A truly fast-growing plant sown directly in the garden will catch up with
transplants quickly. By August you probably won’t see any difference
between a zucchini you planted from seed and one you started from a
plant purchased at the garden center.
Does the plant tolerate root disturbance?
Root crops like carrots or radishes don’t like to have their roots disturbed
and are, therefore, not good candidates for transplant. These crops
are best when directly sown.
How big are the seeds?
If you are new to gardening or at least new to direct sowing of seeds,
start with things like corn, peas, pumpkins, and sunflowers. These seeds
are very large, making it easy to see what you’re doing and allowing you to
plant at the recommended depth and spacing.
Crops like potatoes and onions are easy to plant because they don’t
involve tiny seeds either. They can be sown direct, but not exactly from
seed. Seed potatoes are pieces of whole potatoes that include the “eyes.”
Onion are usually grown from “sets” which are immature bulbs grown the
previous year.
How patient are you?
Some flowers take as long as 90 days to go from germination to blooming.
If you don’t feel like waiting almost three months for your dose of summer
color, choose plants. The instant gratification of planting flowers already
in bloom may be worth the extra money to you if your yard has been buried
in snow for six months.
Starting seeds indoors: The best of both options?
Warm season crops, like tomatoes and peppers, require a long growing
season and may not have time to mature if seeded directly in the garden.
Cool season crops like broccoli and cauliflower, on the other hand, must
(continued)
94
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 95

mature before hot weather sets in. An alternative to buying plants is to
start seeds in plastic trays or peat pots inside.
You’ll want to start warm-season seeds later than cool-season seed.
With either, you’ve got to harden off the young plants to prevent transplant
shock before moving them to the garden. Do this by setting them outside
in the sun in a sheltered area for two or three hours a day each day for a
week to 10 days. You’ll also want to limit watering and fertilizing during
this hardening-off period.
Best Flowers
To Plant from Seed
ANNUALS
With annuals, it’s really
a matter of how patient
you are. For immediate
gratification, buy flats of
blooming annuals. If you
have more patience try
these varieties that have
short germination times,
and mature quickly:
Sweet Alyssum
Sunflowers
Marigolds
Cosmos
Zinnias
To Seed Directly Outdoors
Corn
Radishes
Green Beans
Peas
Cucumber
Carrots
Beets
Turnips
Parsnips
Lettuce
Spinach
Best Vegetables
To Purchase and Transplant
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
PERENNIALS
You may not see a lot of
color the year you plant
the seeds, but perennials
will come back stronger
the following year. Since
perennial plants can be
expensive, planting seeds
can save you a lot of
money.
Allium
Primrose
Dianthus (Pink)
Lupine
Native Columbine
96
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

10 WAYS
to Naturally
Combat
GARDEN PESTS
By Deborah Tukua
Garden pests come in all shapes and sizes, which makes gardening a
challenging endeavor at times. The best preventative measure to take to
encourage a pest-free garden is to keep your soil healthy and the pH
levels balanced. However, we know that a healthy garden attracts raccoons,
rabbits, beetles, and more. We’ve compiled an arsenal of 10 tried-and-true
ways to combat garden pests naturally, without the use of harsh pesticides:
1Birds consume a lot of insects and are a
natural and attractive garden resident. Lure
bug-eating birds to your garden area by placing
a birdbath regularly filled with fresh water. This
will also deter them from picking a tomato for
the juice.
Guinea fowl set loose in the garden or lawn
2 will eat ticks, hornworms, and Japanese
beetles. Most won’t scratch or ruin plants or
eat the vegetables as chickens may.
Dust green beans with garden lime to repel
3 Japanese beetles.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth acts as
4
a natural, abrasive barrier to crawling
insects. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous
earth beneath growing watermelon, squash,
cantaloupe, and all fruits and vegetables resting
on the ground, as well as on plant leaves.
To deter cabbage moths (worms) from
5 eating the leaves of cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, or kale, add 15 mL (3 tsp.) cayenne
pepper to 1-liter (1-quart) of water. Place in a
spray bottle and apply to leaves, stems, and
the ground directly surrounding each plant.
Grasshoppers and aphids cause havoc in
6 flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. Here’s
a repelling spray you can make: Blend 2–4 hot
peppers, 1 mild green pepper, 1 small onion,
and 1-liter (1-quart) of water. Pour mixture into a
bottle with a spray nozzle and apply as needed.
An easy, all-purpose pest-control spray
7 can be made by adding 10 mL (2 tsp.) liquid
detergent to warm water in a spray bottle.
Stop squirrels from digging up planted corn
8 with a mixture of 30 mL (2 tbsp.) liquid fish
fertilizer to 4-liters (1-gallon) of water sprayed
on the rows.
Scatter dried blood meal on the ground
9 between rows of vegetables every 7–10
days to deter deer. This works for rabbits and
groundhogs, too. However, the blood meal
tends to attract dogs. Sprinkle garden lime on
top of the blood meal to repel the dogs.
10
Keep raccoons, skunks, and snakes out
of the garden by applying a wide stripe
of garden lime around the garden perimeter.
When an unwanted critter licks off the lime it
will experience an unpleasant burning sensation,
and hopefully leave the garden.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 97

O U T D O O R S
PEAK FOLIAGE DATES FOR THE CONTIGUOUS U.S.
Location Dates Location Dates
Alabama (Northern) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Arizona Oct. 5-21
Arkansas Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Arkansas (Ozarks) Oct. 12-28
California (Northern) Oct. 15-31
Colorado Oct. 5-14
Connecticut Oct. 12-28
Delaware Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Florida Nov. 2-11
Georgia (Northern) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Idaho Oct. 5-21
Illinois (Northern) Oct. 5-21
Illinois (Southern) Oct. 12-28
Indiana (Northern) Oct. 5-21
Indiana (Southern) Oct. 12-28
Iowa Oct. 5-21
Kansas (Northern) Oct. 5-21
Kansas (Southern) Oct. 12-28
Kentucky (Eastern) Oct. 5-21
Kentucky (Western) Oct. 12-28
Louisiana Nov. 2-11
Maine (Inland) Oct. 1-17
Maine (Coastal) Oct. 5-21
Maryland (Inland) Oct. 12-28
Maryland (Coastal) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Massachusetts (Inland) Oct. 5-21
Massachusetts (Coastal) Oct. 12-28
Michigan (Northern) Oct. 1-17
Michigan (Southern) Oct. 5-21
Minnesota (Northern) Oct. 1-17
Minnesota (Southern) Oct. 5-21
Mississippi (Northern) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Missouri (Northern) Oct. 5-21
Missouri (Southern) Oct. 12-28
Montana (Central) Sep. 28-Oct. 9
Montana (Western) Oct. 5-21
Nebraska Oct. 5-21
Nevada Oct. 12-28
New Hampshire (Inland) Sep. 28-Oct. 9
New Hampshire (Coastal) Oct. 5-21
New Jersey (Inland) Oct. 12-28
New Jersey (Coastal) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
New Mexico Sep. 28-Oct. 9
New York *Sep. 28-Oct. 28
North Carolina (Inland) Oct. 12-28
North Carolina (Coastal) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
North Dakota Oct. 5-21
Ohio Oct. 5-21
Oklahoma Oct. 26-Nov. 4
Oregon Oct. 12-28
Pennsylvania Oct. 5-21
Rhode Island Oct. 12-28
South Carolina Oct. 19-Nov. 4
South Dakota Oct. 5-21
Tennessee Oct. 12-28
Texas Nov. 2-11
Utah Oct. 5-21
Vermont (Northern) Sep. 24-Oct. 10
Vermont (Southern) Oct. 5-14
Virginia (Inland) Oct. 12-28
Virginia (Coastal) Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Washington Oct. 12-28
West Virginia Oct. 5-21
Wisconsin Oct. 5-14
Wyoming Oct. 5-14
*Depending on elevation and distance from the coast. All peak times are usually earlier at higher elevations.
What affects leaf colors in the fall? Leaf pigments, length of night,
and weather all affect the color changing of leaves during the autumn
season. The timing of color change and leaf fall are primarily regulated
by the calendar/season and the increase in the length of night.
None of the other environmental influences—temperature, rainfall,
food supply, is as unvarying as the steadily increasing length of night
in the fall. As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, biochemical processes
in the leaf begin to add colors to the normally green leaves across the country.
Certain colors are characteristic of particular species. Oaks: red, brown, or combination
of the two • Hickories: golden bronze • Aspen and yellow poplar: golden
yellow • Dogwood: purplish red • Beech: light tan • Sourwood and black tupelo:
crimson • Maples: differ species by species—red maple turns brilliant scarlet; sugar
maple, orange-red; and black maple, glowing yellow. Striped maple becomes almost
colorless. • Leaves of some species such as the elms simply shrivel up and fall,
exhibiting little color other than drab brown.
98
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 99

O U T D O O R S
FARMERS’ ALMANAC 2016 FISHING CALENDAR
When is the best day to fish?
Some say that the best day is any day
you can cast a line in the water!
Experience does show that there are
actually certain days and times when
fish tend to be more active, thus making
the fishing much better. Our Fishing
Calendar is based on the phase of
the Moon, the zodiac sign the Moon is
in, and also through experience. Local
conditions, tides, and weather may
affect your fishing success.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
100
January
Fishing
Condition
P
P
G
G
G
P
P
P
P
F
F
B
B
P
P
P
F
F
P
F
B
B
F
F
G
G
F
P
P
G
G
Best
Time
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
February
Fishing
Condition
G
P
P
F
F
P
F
F
G
G
P
P
F
F
P
P
B
B
F
F
F
G
G
F
F
P
G
G
P
Best
Time
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
P
P
F
F
G
F
G
G
P
P
F
F
P
P
B
B
B
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
B
B
G
P
P
F
F
March
Fishing
Condition
Best
Time
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
G
G
G
B
G
P
P
P
P
P
P
B
B
P
P
F
F
F
F
F
B
B
B
F
F
F
F
F
G
G
April
Fishing
Condition
Best
Time
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
B
B
P
P
P
P
P
P
B
B
P
P
P
F
F
P
P
F
B
B
F
F
F
G
F
G
G
B
B
P
P
May
Fishing
Condition
Best
Time
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
F
P
P
P
G
G
B
P
P
F
F
P
P
P
G
G
F
F
F
G
G
B
B
B
B
B
P
P
F
F
June
Fishing
Condition
Best
Time
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M

O U T D O O R S
FARMERS’ ALMANAC 2016 FISHING CALENDAR
CALENDAR KEY: Fishing Condition: This
column lists the overall rating for the entire
day, based on our formula: B=Best;
Best means that you will catch something
almost every time you cast your line in
the water. G=Good; Good means that you
will catch enough fish that day to feel
gratified. F=Fair; Fair means that you may
catch one or two fish but you will have to
work hard to do so. P=Poor; Poor means
the fish will either steal all your bait or
will not even touch your line. Best Time:
This column lists the best time of the day
M=Morning; E=Evening when fish will be
biting. Visit FarmersAlmanac.com and
see this fishing calendar online.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
P
P
G
G
P
P
F
F
F
P
P
G
G
G
P
F
G
G
B
B
B
B
B
P
P
F
F
P
P
B
G
July
Fishing
Condition
Best
Time
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
August
Fishing
Condition
P
P
P
P
F
P
P
P
G
G
P
P
P
F
G
B
B
B
B
F
F
F
F
P
P
B
B
B
P
P
P
Best
Time
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
September
Fishing
Condition
P
P
P
P
G
G
P
P
P
F
F
G
B
B
B
B
F
F
G
F
P
P
B
B
P
P
F
P
P
P
Best
Time
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
October
Fishing
Condition
P
F
G
G
P
P
F
F
F
G
G
B
B
F
F
G
G
F
F
B
B
P
P
F
F
F
P
P
F
F
F
Best
Time
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
November
Fishing
Condition
P
P
F
F
F
G
G
B
B
P
F
G
G
F
F
B
B
P
P
P
F
F
P
P
P
G
F
P
P
P
Best
Time
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
December
Fishing
Condition
P
F
G
G
B
B
B
P
P
G
G
F
F
B
B
F
P
F
F
P
P
P
G
G
P
P
P
P
P
F
F
Best
Time
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
E
E
E
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 101

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8 Facts
about
Cucumbers
you may
not know
1
3
Cucumbers are really a fruit, not a vegetable.
2
Originating in India, cucumbers were once
thought to be poisonous.
One cucumber vine can produce 25–125 cucumbers.
5
4
6
Hangover remedy. Cucumbers are a valuable source of sugar,
vitamin B, and electrolytes. Eat a couple of slices before bed
after a night out, and you might wake up headache free.
Bad breath cure. Simply place a slice of cucumber
on the roof of your mouth, hold it there for 30
seconds, then chew and swallow.
Since cucumbers contain 90% water,
they can help alleviate eye puffiness.
7
The phrase “cool as a cucumber” is thought to have
originated from the fact that in hot weather the
inside of cucumbers remains cooler than the air.
8
Cucumbers contain all of these vitamins and minerals:
vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium,
iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.
104
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 105

A S T R O L O G Y
BEST DAYS IN 2016
The best days listed here are based on both the phase of the Moon and its
position in the zodiac. Many people believe that if you do the tasks on the dates
listed, you will get the best results possible.
Bake
Brew
Can Fruits &
Vegetables
Dry Fruits &
Vegetables
Jams/Jellies
Cut Hair to
Increase Growth
Cut Hair to
Slow Growth
Quit Smoking
Start Diet to
Gain Weight
Start Diet to
Lose Weight
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
9, 14-16,
21, 22
NO GOOD
DAYS
9, 12, 13, 17,
18, 21, 22
1, 2, 6, 7, 23,
24, 28, 29
6, 7, 23-27
6, 7, 23-27
COOKING/BAKING
11, 12, 17, 18 9, 10, 15-17
NO GOOD
DAYS
3-5, 30, 31 1, 7, 27, 28 5, 6, 25-27
HEALTH & BEAUTY
9, 10, 13, 14,
17, 18
2, 3, 7, 24-26,
29
2, 3, 7, 22,
23, 29
2, 3, 7, 22,
23, 29
8, 11, 12,
15-17
1, 2, 5, 6, 23,
24, 28, 29
1, 2, 5, 6,
28, 29
1, 2, 5, 6,
28, 29
PARENTING
7, 12, 13,
19, 20
23, 24 29 28, 29 24, 25 21-23
1-3, 22, 23,
29, 30
8, 9, 12,
13, 21
1-3, 6, 24, 25,
29, 30
1-3, 6, 24, 25,
29, 30
1-3, 6, 24, 25,
29, 30
9, 10, 16-18 5-7, 12-14
7 4, 5 1, 2, 28, 29 24-26
3-5, 30, 31 1, 27, 28 7, 25-27 4, 5, 22, 23 1, 2, 28, 29 24-26
5, 26, 27
6, 9, 10,
19, 20
3, 4, 21-23,
26, 27, 30, 31
3, 4, 21-23,
26, 27, 30, 31
12, 13, 21, 22 9, 10, 17, 18 8, 15-17 12, 13 9, 10 5-7
3, 4, 21-23,
26, 27, 30, 31
NO GOOD
DAYS
1, 2, 22, 23,
29, 30
5-7, 15, 16
3, 22, 23,
27, 28
3, 22, 23,
27, 28
22, 23, 27, 28
Potty Train
Wean Humans
or Animals
Demolition
Paint
Wash Windows
6-13 2-10, 29 1-8, 28-31 1-5, 24-30 1, 2, 21-29 17-26
6-13 2-10, 29 1-8, 28-31 1-5, 24-30 1, 2, 21-29 17-26
6, 7, 23, 24 2, 3, 29 1, 2, 28, 29 6, 24, 25
10, 11, 17,
18, 23, 24
HOME MAINTENANCE
7, 8, 13, 14,
19-21
5, 6, 11, 12,
18, 19
1-3, 8, 9, 14,
15, 29, 30
3, 4, 21-23,
30, 31
5, 6, 11-13,
26, 27
27, 28
6, 7 2, 3, 29 1, 2, 28, 29 24, 25 21-23 17-19
1, 2, 8, 9, 22,
23, 29, 30
Wash Wooden
Floors
6, 7, 23, 24 2, 3, 7, 29
1, 2, 5, 6,
28, 29
1-3, 6, 24, 25,
29, 30
3, 4, 21-23,
26, 27, 30, 31
3, 22, 23,
27, 28
Wax Floors
9, 12, 13, 17,
18, 21, 22
9, 10, 13, 14,
17, 18
8, 11, 12,
15-17, 20-22
8, 9, 12, 13,
16-21
6, 9, 10,
14-20
5-7, 10-16
106
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

4, 10, 11,
17, 18
A S T R O L O G Y
BEST DAYS IN 2016
The best days listed here are based on both the phase of the Moon and its
position in the zodiac. Many people believe that if you do the tasks on the dates
listed, you will get the best results possible.
Health & beauty
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
3, 22, 23,
30, 31
3, 22, 23,
30, 31
COOKING/BAKING
2-4, 10, 11,
6-8, 14, 15 1, 7-9, 14, 15
30
3-5, 10, 11
1, 2, 8, 9, 29
18, 19, 26-28 16, 23, 24 20, 21 16, 17 14, 15
18, 19, 26-28 16, 23, 24 20, 21, 29 16, 17, 26, 27 14, 15, 23, 24
24, 25 20, 21 17, 18
NO GOOD
DAYS
18-20 16, 17
Bake
Brew
Can Fruits &
Vegetables
Dry Fruits &
Vegetables
19-21, 26, 27 22, 23 19, 20 16, 17, 29 26, 27 23, 24
Jams/Jellies
HEALTH & BEAUTY
4, 12-14,
17, 18
1, 2, 19-21,
24, 25, 28, 29
9, 10, 14, 15
1, 20, 21, 24,
25, 29, 30
5, 6, 10, 11,
14, 15
17, 18, 21,
22, 25, 26
2-4, 7-9, 12,
13, 30, 31
18, 19, 22,
23, 27, 28
3-5, 8, 9,
12, 13
14, 15, 18-20,
23-25, 28
1, 2, 5-7, 10,
11, 29
13, 16, 17,
20-22, 25-27
Cut Hair to
Increase Growth
Cut Hair to
Slow Growth
1, 2, 19-21,
24, 25, 28, 29
1, 20, 21, 24,
25, 29-31
17, 18, 21,
22, 25-29
18, 19, 22-26
14, 15, 18-22,
28
13, 16-19,
25-27
Quit Smoking
4
19-21, 24, 25
NO GOOD
DAYS
1, 20, 21,
29-31
14, 15 12, 13 8, 9 5-7
17, 18, 25-29 22-26 18-22, 28 16-19, 25-27
Start Diet to
Gain Weight
Start Diet to
Lose Weight
PARENTING
15-23 11-19 7-16 5-13 1-9, 28-30 1-7, 25-31
15-23 11-19 7-16 5-13 1-9, 28-30 1-7, 25-31
24, 25
5, 6, 19-21,
26, 27
1, 20, 21,
29, 30
1-3, 16, 17,
22, 23, 29, 30
12, 13, 19,
20, 25, 26
HOME MAINTENANCE
17, 18, 25, 26 22, 23 18-20, 28 16, 17, 25-27
10, 11, 16,
17, 22, 23
6, 7, 12, 13,
18-20
15, 16 11-13 7-9 5, 6 1, 2, 28-30 25-27
3, 4, 10, 11,
16, 17, 30, 31
Potty Train
Wean Humans
or Animals
Demolition
Paint
Wash Windows
1, 2, 19-21,
24, 25, 28, 29
1, 20, 21, 24,
25, 29, 30
17, 18, 21,
22, 25, 26
18, 19, 22, 23
14, 15, 18-20,
28
13, 16, 17,
25-27
Wash Wooden
Floors
4, 7-14, 17,
18
4-10, 14, 15
1-6, 10, 11,
14, 15, 30
1-4, 7-9, 12,
13, 30, 31
3-5, 8, 9,
12, 13
1, 2, 5-7, 10,
11, 29
Wax Floors
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 107

A S T R O L O G Y
BEST DAYS IN 2016
The best days listed here are based on both the phase of the Moon and its
position in the zodiac. Many people believe that if you do the tasks on the dates
listed, you will get the best results possible.
Health & beauty
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
OUTDOOR CHORES
Cut Firewood
Dig Holes
9-22 8-21 8-22 7-21 6-20 4-19
9-22 8-21 8-22 7-21 6-20 4-19
Dig Post Holes
23, 24 7 5, 6 1-3, 29, 30 5, 26, 27
1, 2, 22, 23,
29, 30
Harvest
Kill Plant Pests
Mow to
Increase Growth
Mow to
Slow Growth
Pick Apples
& Pears
Prune Trees
6, 7 2, 3, 7 1, 2, 5, 6 1-3, 6, 29, 30 3, 4, 30, 31 3, 27, 28
6, 7, 10, 11,
14-16, 19, 20,
23-27
2, 3, 7, 8, 11,
12, 15, 16,
19-23, 29
1, 2, 5, 6, 9,
10, 13, 14,
18-22, 28, 29
1-3, 6, 7, 10,
11, 14-18, 24,
25, 29, 30
3, 4, 7, 8,
11-15, 21-23,
26, 27, 30, 31
9-22 8-21 8-22 7-21 6-20 4-19
3, 4, 8-11,
17-19, 22, 23,
27, 28
1-8, 23-31 1-7, 22-29 1-7, 23-31 1-6, 22-30 1-5, 21-31 1-3, 20-30
6, 7, 23, 24 2, 3, 29 1, 2, 28, 29 6, 24, 25
3-5, 8, 30, 31 1, 4-6, 27, 28
3, 4, 25-27,
30, 31
3, 4, 21-23,
30, 31
27, 28
22, 23, 26-28 24, 25 20, 21
FARM/ANIMAL
Castrate Farm
Animals
Hunt
Slaughter
6-13 2-10, 29 1-8, 28-31 1-5, 24-30 1, 2, 21-29 17-26
30 27, 28 25-27 22, 23 28 24-26
25 22-24 23-25 22-24 21-23 20-22
ADVERTISE, SHOP, & MORE
Advertise to Sell
108
Ask for a Loan
Buy a Home
Get Married
Travel for
Pleasure
6, 7, 17, 18
23, 24
NO GOOD
DAYS
2, 12, 13, 17,
18, 21, 22
2, 3, 13,
14, 29
NO GOOD
DAYS
1, 2, 11, 12,
28, 29
NO GOOD
DAYS
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
8, 9, 24, 25 5, 6, 21-23
NO GOOD
DAYS
1, 2, 17-19,
29, 30
5 1, 2, 29, 30
13, 14 11, 12 8, 9, 12 6, 9-12 5-9
9, 10, 13, 14,
17-21
7, 8, 11, 12,
15-19
4, 5, 8, 9, 12-15,
19, 20
1, 2, 5, 6, 9-13,
16-18, 29
1, 2, 5-9,
12-14, 29, 30
19, 20 15, 16, 19-21 13, 14, 18, 19 10, 11, 14, 15 7, 8, 11-13 4, 8, 9, 17-19

A S T R O L O G Y
BEST DAYS IN 2016
The best days listed here are based on both the phase of the Moon and its
position in the zodiac. Many people believe that if you do the tasks on the dates
listed, you will get the best results possible.
Health & beauty
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
OUTDOOR CHORES
4-18
2-17 1-15, 30 1-15, 30, 31
1-13, 29, 30
1-12, 29-31
Cut Firewood
4-18
2-17 1-15, 30 1-15, 30, 31
1-13, 29, 30
1-12, 29-31
Dig Holes
19-21, 26, 27
1, 22, 23,
29, 30
19, 20, 25, 26
16, 17, 22, 23
18-20
16, 17
Dig Post Holes
1, 2, 28, 29
1, 24, 25,
29-31
25-29
22-26
21, 22, 28
25-27
Harvest
1, 2, 5-9, 15,
16, 19-21, 24,
25, 28, 29
4-18
1-3, 19-31
24, 25
1-5, 11-13, 16,
17, 20, 21, 24,
25, 29-31
1, 7-9, 12, 13,
17, 18, 21, 22,
25-29
5, 6, 10, 11,
14, 15, 18, 19,
22-26
2-17 1-15, 30 1-15, 30, 31
1, 18-31 16-29 16-29
1, 20, 21,
29, 30
17, 18, 25, 26
22, 23
1, 2, 6, 7, 10,
11, 14, 15,
18-22, 28-30
1-13, 29, 30
14-28
18-20, 28
3, 4, 8, 9, 12,
13, 16-19,
25-27, 30, 31
1-12, 29-31
13-28
16, 17, 25-27
Kill Plant Pests
Mow to
Increase Growth
Mow to
Slow Growth
Pick Apples
& Pears
NO GOOD
DAYS
NO GOOD
DAYS
NO GOOD
DAYS
29
26, 27
23, 24, 28
Prune Trees
FARM/ANIMAL
15-23
11-19 7-16 5-13
1-9, 28-30
1-7, 25-31
Castrate Farm
Animals
22, 23
18, 19 16
20, 21
16, 17
14, 15
Hunt
19-21
18-20 16-18 16-18
14-16
13-15
Slaughter
ADVERTISE, SHOP, & MORE
15, 16, 26, 27
11-13, 22, 23 7-9, 19, 20 5, 6, 16, 17
1, 2, 12, 13,
28-30
10, 11, 25-27
Advertise to Sell
26, 27
1, 22, 23,
29, 30
19, 20, 25, 26
16, 17, 22, 23
18-20
16, 17
Ask for a Loan
4-6
2, 3
NO GOOD
DAYS
NO GOOD
DAYS
NO GOOD
DAYS
NO GOOD
DAYS
Buy a Home
3-6, 10, 11,
26, 27, 30, 31
1-3, 6-8,
26-30
2-4, 14, 15,
23-26, 30
1, 12, 13, 22,
23, 27, 28
8, 9, 12, 13,
23-25
5-7, 10, 11,
20-22
Get Married
5, 6, 15, 16
2, 3, 11-13 7-9
5, 6
1, 2, 29, 30
12
Travel for
Pleasure
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 109

A S T R O L O G Y
ASTROLOGY AND ASTRONOMY EXPLAINED
ASTROLOGY interprets the influence
that the Sun and Moon have
while they are in a specific zodiacal
sign. Astrology is based on the concept
that there are 12 signs of the zodiac,
measuring 30 degrees each, along the
astrological circle.
However, because the astrological
placement does not take into account
the precession of the equinoxes (the
“wobble” that the Earth’s axis describes
over a 26,000-year interval), the Moon’s
place according to astrology differs considerably
from its physical place according
to astronomy. For your convenience,
we provide both the astrological place
of the Moon and the physical, or astronomical,
place of the Moon, which is
listed on the calendar pages under the
Moon’s Place column.
ASTRONOMY is the scientific interpretation
of matter in space. The Moon
can wander into a few astronomical
constellations that are not members
of the zodiac. These constellations
include: Sextans, the Sextant (SXT); and
Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer (OPH).
Thus, you will see these abbreviations
under the Moon’s place listing on the
Calendar Pages.
RAM
Aries (ARI)
Head & Face
Mar. 20 at 1 a.m.
to Apr. 19 at 11 a.m.
TWINS
Gemini (GEM)
Arms
May 20 at 11 a.m.
to Jun. 20 at 7 p.m.
LION
Leo (LEO)
Heart
Jul. 22 at 6 a.m.
to Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.
BALANCE
Libra (LIB)
Reins
Sep. 22 at 10 a.m.
to Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
ARCHER
Sagittarius (SAG)
Thighs
Nov. 21 at 4 p.m.
to Dec. 21 at 6 a.m.
WATERMAN
Aquarius (AQU)
Legs
Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.
to Feb. 19 at 1 a.m.
BULL
Taurus (TAU)
Neck
Apr. 19 at 11 a.m.
to May 20 at 11 a.m.
CRAB
Cancer (CAN)
Breast
Jun. 20 at 7 p.m.
to Jul. 22 at 6 a.m.
VIRGIN
Virgo (VIR)
Bowels
Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.
to Sep. 22 at 10 a.m.
SCORPION
Scorpio (SCO)
Secrets
Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
to Nov. 21 at 4 p.m.
GOAT
Capricorn (CAP)
Knees
Dec. 21 at 6 a.m.
to Jan. 19, 2016 at 4 p.m.
FISHES
Pisces (PSC)
Feet
Feb. 19 at 1 a.m.
to Mar. 20 at 1 a.m.
110
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 111
A S T R O L O G Y
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
MOON’S ASTROLOGICAL PLACE IN THE ZODIAC
The Moon’s place as astrologically calculated for 2015/2016
The signs listed below are based on astrological calculations. Use these signs
for all planting and other Almanac traditions. NOTE: The Moon’s Place column
in the calendar pages gives the astronomical position.
SEP
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
OCT
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
NOV
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
DEC
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
JAN
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
FEB
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
MAR
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
APR
AQU
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
MAY
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
JUN
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
JUL
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
AUG
LEO
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
SEP
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
OCT
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SCO
NOV
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
DEC
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU
PSC
PSC
PSC
ARI
ARI
TAU
TAU
GEM
GEM
CAN
CAN
LEO
LEO
VIR
VIR
LIB
LIB
LIB
SCO
SCO
SAG
SAG
SAG
CAP
CAP
AQU
AQU

EXPLANATION OF THE CALENDAR PAGES
The “calendar pages,” are across from our monthly weather predictions.
On these pages you will find many important celestial events, dates, and
times. We have made some adjustments this year to these pages in an effort
to make their information more valuable.
Times Listed
The astronomical times listed for daily sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset,
solar noon, length of day and twilight are based on: Northern States 40°N
latitude, 75°W longitude (near Philadelphia, PA) and Southern States 35°N
latitude, 90°W longitude (near Memphis, TN). NOTE: Times listed for the
Southern States are listed in Central Time with adjustments made for Daylight
Saving Time.
Adjustments
The times for the rising and setting of the Sun and Moon are calculated
for an observer located exactly on one of the standard meridians (in
North America: Eastern–75˚ West; Central–90˚ West; Mountain–105˚ West;
Pacific–120˚ West). If your longitude is very close to one of these, then luck
is with you and you can use the printed times for the rising and setting of
the Sun and Moon, without any correction.
If your longitude is different from one of these standard meridians, then
to get these times for your local position, you need to add four minutes to
the times listed on the calendar page for each degree of longitude that you
are west of your time zone meridian. Or subtract four minutes for each
degree you are east of it. For example: Boston, Massachusetts, (longitude
71˚) is 4 degrees east of the Eastern Time meridian. So, for Boston, subtract 16
minutes from the times obtained from the calendar pages. The result is in Eastern
Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Time, depending on the time of year.
The above calculations will yield approximate local times for the rising
and setting of the Sun and Moon, but will ignore the less important difference
between your latitude and those of the calendar pages (35˚ and 40˚
North), as well as the character of your local horizon.
Earliest Moonrise/Moonset
Times given here are based on the earliest visible moonset or moonrise
of the day. Moonrise and set are when the upper limb appears or disappears
above/below the horizon. The arrow up means the Moon is rising and
the arrow down means it’s setting. There are dates when neither moonrise
nor moonset occurs during darkness. These dates are identified with the
word “None” on the calendar pages. Determining moonrise and moonset is
similar to sunrise and sunset, except an additional correction factor must
be added.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

EXPLANATION OF THE CALENDAR PAGES
Moon’s Place
This column shows the astronomical position of the Moon in the night sky,
calculated at the end of each day at 11:59:59 pm EST/DST. As the Moon travels
in the night sky, in addition to the 12 well-known zodiac constellations
of the same name, it will also enter 5 other constellations: Auriga (AUR),
located to the north of Taurus; Cetus (CET) a large constellation bordering
the southern part of Pisces; Ophiuchus (OPH), a large complex constellation
whose lower portion reaches into the zodiac immediately adjacent
to Scorpius and Sagittarius; Orion (ORI) a constellation that straddles
the celestial equator and whose northern extremities border Gemini and
Taurus; and Sextants (SXT), a faint and unimpressive star pattern whose
northwest corner comes very close to the ecliptic in Leo.
Rise, Set, and Culmination Times for Stars and Planets
As with the rising and setting times of the Sun and Moon, use the correction
table to convert zone time to local time in order to obtain a greater degree of
accuracy. This rule also pertains to culmination or meridian passage (“mer.”)
time of a given object, for the Moon’s southing or meridian passage.
Twilight and Length of Days
Across the calendars and even with the Sunday Liturgical Calendar, you
will find the average length of day and length of astronomical twilight beginning
Sunday and calculated for 35 and 40 degrees North latitude, based on
the Sun being 8.5 degrees below the horizon, which roughly corresponds to
the ambient light from a full Moon on a cloudless night.
Here are some corrections, in minutes, for selected major cities.
CORRECTION FROM ZONE TIME TO LOCAL TIME
(Apply to time found in calendar pages to get clock time)
Atlanta +38
Atlantic City -01
Baltimore +06
Bismarck +43
Boise +45
Boston -16
Buffalo +15
Chicago -10
Cincinnati +38
Cleveland +27
Dallas +27
Denver 00
Detroit +32
Durham, NC +16
El Paso +06
Helena +28
Houston +21
Indianapolis +44
Jacksonville +27
Kansas City +18
Los Angeles -07
Memphis 00
Miami +21
Milwaukee -08
Minneapolis +13
Nashville -13
New Orleans 00
New York -04
Oklahoma City +32
Pensacola -11
Philadelphia +01
Pittsburgh +20
Portland, ME -19
Portland, OR +11
Providence -14
Richmond +10
Rochester, NY +10
Salt Lake City +28
San Antonio +34
San Diego -12
San Francisco +10
Santa Fe +04
Savannah +24
Seattle +10
St. Louis +01
Tampa +30
Tucson +24
Washington, DC +08
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 113

A S T R O N O M Y
ECLIPSES OF THE SUN AND MOON IN 2016
Listed in Eastern Time. Daylight Saving Time is taken into account.
SUN
MARCH 8, 2016 – Total Eclipse of the Sun
To see this eclipse you’ll have to journey to Indonesia. The Moon’s dark
umbral shadow will sweep across central Sumatra and then envelops the
much smaller islands of Bangka and Belitung. Then it’s on to southern Borneo
and then northern Sulawesi. After passing across the Molucca Sea, the umbra
passes over Halmahera before heading out over the open waters of the South
Pacific. The point of the maximum duration of totality occurs 350 miles (560
kilometers) east of Manila and pass off the surface of the Earth about 900 miles
(1,400 kilometers) northeast of Hawaii. Hawaii and most of Alaska will see a
partial eclipse near sunset on the afternoon of March 8. Alaskans will see the
passing New Moon take only a small scallop out of the Sun, but from Honolulu
70 percent of the Sun’s diameter will be eclipsed at 5:36 p.m. Hawaii time. If
you live in the visibility zone of this eclipse, the most important thing to keep
in mind is to never look at even a portion of the Sun directly without proper
viewing glasses. Telescopes and binoculars must be outfitted with special
filters before they can be safely used. Only during the total phase can the Sun
be viewed directly without any special filters.
Partial Eclipse Begins: 6:19 p.m. • Total Eclipse Begins: 7:15 p.m.
Greatest Eclipse: 8:57 p.m. • Total Eclipse Ends: 10:38 p.m.
Partial Eclipse Ends:11:38 p.m. • Max. Duration of Totality: 4m 09.5s
SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 – Annular Eclipse of the Sun
This is the type of solar eclipse where the Moon is a little too distant from the
Earth to cover the Sun completely, leaving a ring of sunlight shining around the
Moon’s silhouette. The path of the eclipse, producing this “ring of fire” effect,
will sweep in a southeast direction across central and southern Africa, Southern
Gabon, the middle of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, western and southern
Tanzania, and finally northeast Mozambique. Greatest eclipse, producing
3 minutes 6 seconds of annularity, occurs in southern Tanzania to the northeast
of the village of Tunduru. Then a quick hop over Mozambique Channel brings the
eclipse track to northern Madagascar and then finally, about an hour later, the
shadow slides off the surface of the Earth over the Indian Ocean.
Partial Eclipse Begins: 2:12 a.m. • Annular Eclipse Begins: 3:17 a.m.
Greatest Eclipse: 5:06 a.m. • Annular Eclipse Ends: 6:55 a.m.
Partial Eclipse Ends: 8:00 p.m. • Max. Duration of Totality: 3m 05.5s
114
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

A S T R O N O M Y
MOON
MARCH 23, 2016 – Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon
This eclipse favors the Pacific Ocean; Hawaii sees it high in the sky during
the middle of their night. Across North America, the eclipse takes place
between midnight and dawn. The farther east one goes, the closer the time of
moonset coincides with the moment that the Moon enters the penumbra. At
maximum, a subtle but perceptible dimming will be evident along the Moon’s
southern limb.
Moon Enters Penumbra: 5:37 a.m. • Maximum Eclipse: 7:47 a.m.
Moon Leaves Penumbra: 9:57 a.m. • Magnitude of the Eclipse: 0.801
AUGUST 18, 2016 – Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon.
Although most of North America is in good position to see this eclipse, there
really is no eclipse. It’s a non-event. At greatest eclipse less than 2 percent of
the Moon’s diameter is inside Earth’s tenuously faint penumbral shadow. So
there will be no perceptible change in the Moon’s appearance.
Moon Enters Penumbra: 5:25 a.m. • Maximum Eclipse: 5:42 a.m.
Moon Leaves Penumbra: 5:59 a.m. • Magnitude of the Eclipse: 0.017
SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 – Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon
Although most of North America is in good position to see this eclipse, there
really is no eclipse. It’s a non-event. At greatest eclipse less than 2 percent of
the Moon’s diameter is inside Earth’s tenuously faint penumbral shadow. So
there will be no perceptible change in the Moon’s appearance.
Moon Enters Penumbra: 12:52 a.m. • Maximum Eclipse: 2:54 a.m.
Moon Leaves Penumbra: 4:56 a.m. • Magnitude of the Eclipse: 0.933
A TRANSIT OF MERCURY OVER THE FACE OF THE SUN – MAY 9, 2016
The beginning of the transit will be visible
from the eastern half of North America, and
the northern three-quarters of South America.
The beginning will also be visible from Africa,
Europe, and western and central Asia. The end
will be visible over North and South America
and Hawaii, a slice of western Africa, western
and central Europe, and northeastern Siberia,
including the Kamchatka Peninsula.
When Mercury is in transit across the solar
disk, the planet appears as a tiny, round, black
spot with a diameter just 1/157 that of the Sun.
This size is too small to be visible to the naked
eye. Prospective observers are warned to take
special precautions (as with a solar eclipse) in
attempting to view the tiny silhouette of Mercury
against the blindingly brilliant disc of the
Sun. Each Mercury transit belongs to a specific
series, which recurs at 46-year intervals.
The May 9 transit belongs to Series “J” which
produced its first transit in 1740 and whose last
transit in this series comes in 2154.
Geocentric Circumstances of the Transit
Ingress exterior contact: 7:12 a.m., Ingress
interior contact: 7:15 a.m., Least angular
distance from the Sun’s center: 10:57 a.m.,
Egress interior contact: 2:39 p.m., Egress
exterior contact: 2:42 p.m., Least angular distance
from the center of the Sun to Mercury:
5.3 arc minutes.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 115

A S T R O N O M Y
OBSERVING THE VISIBLE PLANETS
Neptune Uranus Saturn Jupiter Mars Earth Venus Mercury
MERCURY As an evening star,
appears in the western sky setting
about an hour after the Sun. As a
morning star, it appears in the eastern
sky rising about an hour before
the Sun. There must be a clear,
unobstructed horizon on these
occasions. Mercury usually appears
as a bright “star” with a yellowish or
ochre hue. Evenings from January 1
to January 6; mornings from January
22 to March 5; evenings from April
8 to April 29; mornings from May
20 to June 23; evenings from July
21 to September 5; mornings from
September 23 to October 7; evenings
from November 24 to December
21. Mercury will be brightest and
easiest to spot in the evening sky
between April 8 and April 29 and
brightest and easiest to spot in the
morning sky between September
23 to October 7. On May 9, a Transit
of Mercury will take place, with the
planet appearing in silhouette as a
tiny, black dot on the Sun’s disk. See
the section on eclipses for more
details.
VENUS Always brilliant, and shining
with a steady, silvery light.
Mornings in the eastern sky at dusk
from January 1 to April 10; evenings
in the western sky at dusk from
116
The Planets are listed and shown in order as positioned from the Sun
with Neptune being the farthest, and Mercury closest.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
August 1 to December 31. Best time
to view Venus in the morning sky
in 2016 will come from January 1
to February 13. Best time to view
Venus in the evening sky in 2016
will come from October 7 through
December 31. Venus will pass very
close to Saturn—less than one-third
of a degree—on January 9, and even
closer, one-tenth of a degree from
Jupiter on August 27
MARS Shines with a yellowish
-orange hue, and can vary considerably
in brightness. Mornings from
January 1 to May 21; evenings from
May 22 to December 31. Mars begins
the year as a moderately bright
object above and to the left of the
bluish Spica, the brightest star in
the constellation Virgo. Brightest in
2016: May 18 to June 3. Mars arrives
at opposition to the Sun on May 22:
rising at sunset, peaking high in the
south at midnight and setting at
sun-up. It will also be shining at its
brightest for 2016 at magnitude -2.1;
nearly twice as bright as Sirius, the
brightest star in the sky. Eight days
later on May 30 it will be closest to
Earth at 5:35 p.m. Eastern Daylight
Time at a distance of 46.8 million
miles. Since Mars can come as close
as 34.6 million miles to Earth (as was

A S T R O N O M Y
the case in 2003) this year can be
considered a fairly close encounter.
In the weeks and months following
opposition, from the end of May on
through the balance of the year, Mars
will become a fixture in the evening
sky, but will also be receding from
the Earth and consequently will get
progressively fainter. By year’s end,
it will be found in the constellation
of Aquarius and will have moved
out to a distance of 152 million
miles from Earth and shining just
1/16 as bright as it was in late May.
JUPITER Shines quite brilliant with
a silver-white luster. Mornings from
January 1 to March 7; evenings from
March 8 to September 6; mornings
again from October 16 to December
31. Jupiter starts the year near the
border of Leo and Virgo, retrogrades
(moves west) among the
stars of Leo until May 9, then turns
back to the east, crossing over
into the stars of Virgo on August 9
where it will remain for the rest of
year. Brightest in 2016: February
20 to March 26. Jupiter is at opposition
to the Sun on March 8. Jupiter
will pass very close to Venus—one
tenth of a degree—on August 27.
SATURN Shines like a yellowish
-white “star” of moderate brightness.
The famous rings are only
visible in a telescope. They were
turned edge-on (or very nearly so)
toward Earth through most of 2009
and at times were quite difficult
to observe. The rings have now
“opened-up” to our view and will be
at their maximum tilt to Earth late
next year. Saturn will spend 2016
in the non-zodiacal constellation of
Ophiuchus. Mornings from January
1 to June 2; evenings from June 3
to November 23; mornings again
from December 27 to December 31.
Brightest in 2016: May 12 to June 23.
Saturn is at opposition to the Sun on
June 3. Venus will pass very close—
less than one-third of a degree—
from Saturn on January 9.
URANUS Can be glimpsed as a
naked-eye object by people who
are blessed with good eyesight and
a clear, dark sky, as well as a forehand
knowledge of exactly where
to look for it. It shines at magnitude
+5.7 and can be readily identified
with good binoculars. A small telescope
may reveal its tiny, greenish
disk. Uranus will spend 2016
in Pisces. Evenings from January 1
to March 25; mornings from April
26 to October 14; evenings again
from October 15 to December 31.
Brightest in 2016: August 23 to
December 7. Uranus will arrive at
opposition to the Sun on October 15.
NEPTUNE Spends 2016 in the constellation
of Aquarius. At a peak
magnitude of +7.8, this bluish-hued
world is only visible with good binoculars
or a telescope. Evenings
from January 1 to February 12; mornings
from March 15 to September 1;
evenings again from September 2 to
December 31. Brightest in 2016: July
10 to October 25. Opposition is on
September 2.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 117

A S T R O N O M Y
OBSERVING THE VISIBLE PLANETS
PLANETS QUICK VIEW TABLE FOR 2016
When Visible
When Brightest
Planet Mornings Evenings Faint or Invisible Mornings Evenings
Mercury
Jan. 14 to
Mar. 22;
May 9 to
Jul. 6;
Sep.12 to
Oct. 26;
Dec. 28 to
Dec. 31
Jan.1 to
Jan. 13;
Mar. 23 to
May 8;
Jul. 7 to
Sep.11;
Oct. 27 to
Dec. 27
Except for
brief periods
around the
dates listed
in the adjacent
columns
to the left and
right.
Sep. 23 to
Oct. 7
Apr. 8;
Apr. 29*
*Brightest
and easiest
to spot.
Venus
Jan. 1 to
Jun. 5
Jun. 6 to
Dec. 31
Apr. 11 to
Jul. 31
Jan. 1 to
Feb. 13
Oct. 7 to
Dec. 31
Mars
Jan. 1 to
May 21
May 22 to
Dec. 31
Not in 2016
May 18 to
May 21
May 22 to
Jun. 3
Jupiter
Jan, 1 to
Mar. 7;
Sep. 26 to
Dec. 31
Mar. 8 to
Sept. 25
Sep. 7 to
Oct. 15
Feb. 20 to
Mar. 7
Mar. 8 to
Mar. 26
Saturn
Jan. 1 to
Jun. 2;
Dec. 10 to
Dec. 31
Jun. 3 to
Dec. 9
Nov. 24 to
Dec. 26
May 12 to
Jun. 2
Jun. 3 to
Jun. 23
Uranus
Apr. 9 to
Oct. 14
Jan. 1 to
Apr. 8;
Oct. 15 to
Dec. 31
Mar. 26 to
Apr. 25
Aug. 23 to
Oct. 14
Oct. 15 to
Dec. 7
Neptune
Feb. 28 to
Sep. 1
Jan. 1 to
Feb. 27;
Sep. 2 to
Dec. 31
Feb. 13 to
Mar. 14.
Jul. 10 to
Sep. 1
Sep. 2 to
Oct. 25
118
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

A S T R O N O M Y
FULL MOONS
Year/Month Date Full Moon Name Time
2015
September 27 th Full Harvest Moon 10:50 pm
October 27 th Full Hunter’s Moon 8:05 am
November 25 th Full Beaver Moon 5:44 pm
December 25 th Full Cold Moon 6:11 am
2016
January 23 rd Full Wolf Moon 8:46 pm
February 22 nd Full Snow Moon 1:20 pm
March 23 rd Full Worm Moon 8:01 am
April 22 nd Full Pink Moon 1:24 am
May 21 st Full Flower Moon 5:14 pm
June 20 th Full Strawberry Moon 7:02 am
July 19 th Full Buck Moon 6:57 pm
August 18 th Full Sturgeon Moon 5:27 am
September 16 th Full Harvest Moon 3:05 pm
October 16 th Full Hunter’s Moon 12:23 am
November 14 th Full Beaver Moon 8:52 am
December 13 th Full Cold Moon 7:06 pm
Learn much more about full moon names at FarmersAlmanac.com
The 30 Day Lunar Cycle
New Young Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous
Full Waning Gibbous Last Quarter Waning Crescent Old
New Moon The Moon is not illuminated
by direct sunlight.
Waxing Crescent The visible Moon is
partly, but less than one-half, illuminated
by direct sunlight while the illuminated
part is increasing.
First Quarter One-half of the Moon appears
illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated
part is increasing.
Waxing Gibbous The Moon is more than onehalf,
but not fully, illuminated by direct sunlight
while the illuminated part is increasing.
Full Moon The visible Moon is fully illuminated
by direct sunlight.
Waning Gibbous The Moon is less than
fully, but more than one-half, illuminated
by direct sunlight while the illuminated
part is decreasing.
Last Quarter One-half of the Moon appears
illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated
part is decreasing.
Waning Crescent The Moon is partly, but
less than one-half, illuminated by direct sunlight
while the illuminated part is decreasing.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 119

A S T R O N O M Y
ALMANAC ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
aph./Aphelion The point at which a
body in an elliptical orbit around the
Sun is at its greatest distance from it.
apo./Apogee The point at which a
body moving in an elliptical orbit
around the Earth is at its greatest
distance from the Earth.
Ascending Node The point of the
Moon’s (or planet’s) orbit at which
it crosses, from south to north, the
plane of the Earth’s orbit extended to
meet the celestial body.
Combust When the Moon, star, or
planet is not visible due to its proximity
to the Sun.
Conjunction The alignment or close
alignment of two or more astronomical
bodies.
cl./Close This defines a conjunction.
Example: cl. 2:12 a.m., means that
Saturn and the Moon are close (or in
conjunction) at 2:12 a.m.
Descending Node The point at
which the Moon’s (or planet’s) orbit
crosses, from north to south, the
plane of the Earth’s orbit extended
to meet the celestial body.
gr. el./Greatest Elongation When a
planet attains its greatest apparent
angular distance from the Sun.
Heliacal Rising This term refers to
the first visible, though brief appearance
of a planet on the eastern
horizon before sunrise.
Heliacal Setting The last visible
setting of a planet in the evening
twilight. On the following evening,
the star will pass below the horizon
while there is still too much sunlight
for it to be seen.
inf./Inferior Inferior conjunction is
when an “inferior planet” (Mercury
120
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
or Venus) passes between Earth and
the Sun.
mer./Meridian A circle on the celestial
sphere passing through the
north and south celestial poles and
the zenith of a given place.
Moon Highest or Lowest Occurs
the day of the month when the Moon
appears at its highest or lowest point
on the meridian.
Moon’s Southing Also known as the
Moon’s Meridian Passage or Upper
Culmination, this occurs when the
Moon appears to be exactly above the
southern point of an observer’s locale.
occ./Occultation This occurs with
the eclipse of a star or planet by the
Moon or planet.
Opposition The position of an astronomical
object when it is opposite
the Sun, and as a result crosses the
meridian at midnight.
per./Perigee The point at which a
celestial body moving in an elliptical
orbit around the Earth is at its
closest approach to the Earth.
peri./Perihelion The point at which
a celestial body in an elliptical orbit
around the Sun is at its closest
distance to the Sun.
quad./Quadrature When a “superior”
planet (a planet whose orbit
around the sun is beyond that of the
Earth) makes a 90-degree angle in the
sky with the Sun.
ri./Rises The rising of a particular
celestial body.
sup./Superior Refers to a superior
conjunction, when one of the inner
(“inferior”) planets such as Mercury
or Venus appears to pass behind or
beyond the Sun as seen from Earth.

PROTECT YOUR LAND
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
Always call 811 and work with pipeline and
utility operators to locate underground lines.
Hitting a pipeline or underground utility can impact your family for
generations. Underground lines can be located less than 12 inches
below the surface due to topsoil removal, erosion and weather. Never
assume the location or depth of underground lines.
Always call 811 or contact the pipeline or utility line operator to discuss
your project and to check the location and depth of underground lines
before you deep plow, till, rip, install a fence or drain tiles. Operators will
locate the pipeline, perform a depth and safety analysis and work
with you to help protect you, your land and the pipeline or underground
utility line. Operators will typically request to be on-site during
projects directly near the underground line to provide safety guidance
regarding clearances and backfilling procedures.
The safety information on the following pages provide general guidance
regarding how to safely work near underground pipelines and utility
lines. This safety guide is designed to increase awareness regarding
the safety risks associated with excavation-type activities near underground
pipelines and utility lines, and to facilitate project planning
and coordination with pipeline and utility line operators.
Get the facts at PipelineAgSafety.org
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
121

FARM & RANCH SAFETY INFORMATION
Land Contour Modifications
Land contour projects near underground
pipelines and utility lines,
including the installation of ponds,
lakes and drainage ditches, require
expert engineering in planning and
implementation to protect land,
water and underground pipeline
and utility line infrastructure. A plan
should be developed and provided to the pipeline or utility line operator in
advance to initiate discussion regarding potential impact to the integrity and
safety of underground pipelines. Call 811 to initiate contact with all impacted
pipeline and utility line operators and to discuss the land contour modifications
you are planning.
When considering land contour modifications, no substantial amount of soil
can be removed or added directly near underground pipelines or utility lines.
Project requirements should be designed to maintain the current pipeline or
utility line depth of cover or as advised by the operator. The edge of a proposed
land contour modification should maintain a minimum clearance of at least 25
feet when parallel to a pipeline or utility line.
Drain Tile Installation
Maintain minimum clearance. Cross at an angle
as close to 90 degrees as possible.
When planning your field drain tile
installation project, call 811 to check
the location of pipelines and utility
lines and to discuss your installation
plans with pipeline and utility line
operators. Advanced planning is key
to allow sufficient time for operators
to review the project design, verify
pipeline depths and operational
requirements.
Generally, field drain tiles crossing a pipeline or utility line should be as near
to 90 degrees (perpendicular to the line) as possible and clear the line by at
least 24 inches. Solid tiles and plastic pipe are typically recommended when
crossing a pipeline or utility line. Pea gravel is used to prevent settling.
122
2016 FARMERS’ Get the facts ALMANAC at PipelineAgSafety.org

Subsoiling, Deep Ripping or Deep Plowing
Due to erosion and topsoil removal,
the existing depth of underground
pipelines and utility lines may not
support deep tillage activities, such as
subsoiling, deep ripping or plowing.
Never assume the location or depth of
pipelines or underground utility lines.
Call 811 to initiate contact with pipeline and utility operators. Operators will locate
the pipeline, perform a depth and safety analysis and work with you to ensure
that you, your land and the pipeline or utility line stay safe.
Safety Guidelines
Step 1: Call 811 before agricultural
excavation activities.
Never rely on pipeline markers to
identify the location of pipelines or
utility lines. Markers indicate the general,
but not exact, location of pipelines or
utility lines.
Always call 811 at least two to three
working days before you deep plow,
tile, scrape or dig. 811 is a free service
in most states that will notify pipeline
and underground utility operators of
your planned work. For larger projects,
contact the operator during the
planning phase to allow time to ensure
safety for you and the pipeline or
utility line.
Step 2: Wait for Operators to
Mark Lines
Identify the location where you will be
digging using white paint or coordinate
a time to meet with the operator to
discuss your project. Wait for operators
to locate their lines before beginning
your project. Operators may request
to be on-site when you dig.
Step 3: Dig with Hand-
Digging Tools Near the Line
& Backfill Properly
Dig with care using appropriate hand
digging or vacuum-digging tools near
the pipeline. For your safety, backhoes,
augers and other mechanical equipment
should not be used when digging
within 24 inches of the outside edge
of pipelines or utility lines. Don’t remove
flags, stakes or paint marks until you’ve
finished digging. Carefully backfill and
compact the soil.
Step 4: Notify Operator
Regarding Damage or Leaks
Never operate mechanical equipment
in an area where you suspect a leak.
Immediately notify operator if you
dent, scrape or hit a pipeline while
digging so that it can be inspected
and repaired, if needed, to prevent
future damage. If you suspect a pipeline
leak, immediately leave the area in an
upwind direction and warn others to
stay away. From a safe location, call
911 and the operator.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 123

AS THE
SEASONS
CHANGE
SO DO YOUR
NEEDS
FROM FENCING OFF
CURIOUS LIVESTOCK
TO MANAGING WEEDS
AROUND THE YARD
WE’RE READY TO HELP
There are fences to mend, animals to feed and ground
to be worked. Since 1938, Tractor Supply Co. has
served the rural lifestyle with a unique assortment
of tools, supplies and equipment. We’re here
to help get the job done, whatever it takes.
Visit TractorSupply.com
Research products, shop online or
find a store near you.
124
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
Washington
Oregon
California
6
Nevada
7
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
Utah Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
4
Nebraska
Kansas
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
Wisconsin
Illinois
2
Indiana
Michigan
Kentucky
Ohio
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
West Virginia
1
Pennsylvania
Virginia
New
York
Maine
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
Arizona
New Mexico
Weather summaries for Alaska and Hawaii
as well as many other weather resources
are available at FarmersAlmanac.com
5
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Tennessee
Alabama
3
Zone 3
Georgia
South
Carolina
Florida
North
Carolina
ZONES
1. Northeastern States
2. Great Lakes/Midwest
3. Southeastern States
4. North Central States
5. South Central States
6. Northwestern States
7. Southwestern States
UNITED STATES ZONED WEATHER MAP
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 125

A S T R O N O M Y
9th Month SEPTEMBER 2015 30 Days
VIRGO
August 23 to
September 22
LIBRA
September 23 to
October 22
DATE
NOW AUTUMN’S GOLDEN STORES BEHOLD, WITH FRUIT EACH TREE IS CROWNED;
PEACHES IN SUITS OF RED OR GOLD, EACH TWIG BOWS TOWARD THE GROUND.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
~ Last Quarter 5 th 5:54 am
¢ New Moon 13 th 2:41 am
£ First Quarter 21 st 4:59 am
© Full Moon 27 th 10:50 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 13:00:31
8 th 12:58:11
15 th 12:55:44
22 nd 12:53:15
29 th 12:50:50
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Tu Lily Tomlin born, 1939 PSC 6:27 7:32 9:28P 3:13a 6:32 7:27 9:34P 3:16a
2 We Terry Bradshaw born, 1948 ARI 6:28 7:30 10:09P 4:09a 6:33 7:26 10:17P 4:11a
3 Th Heliacal setting of Spica TAU 6:29 7:29 10:52P 5:03a 6:34 7:24 11:02P 5:06a
4 Fr Mercury at max. elongation east TAU 6:30 7:27 11:38P 5:58a 6:34 7:23 11:50P 6:00a
5 Sa Lunar occultation of Aldebaran; Mars enters Leo TAU 6:31 7:26 None 6:52a 6:35 7:22 None 6:55a
36. Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
6 Su Moon highest; Venus retrograde TAU 6:32 7:24 12:27A 7:46a 6:36 7:20 12:40A 7:48a
7 Mo labor Day; 1st Miss America Pageant, 1921 GEM 6:33 7:22 1:19A 8:37a 6:37 7:19 1:33A 8:40a
8 Tu Moon, Castor conjunct GEM 6:34 7:21 2:14A 9:28a 6:37 7:17 2:26A 9:30a
9 We Otis Redding born, 1941 CAN 6:35 7:19 3:10A 10:16a 6:38 7:16 3:21A 10:18a
10 Th Traditional peak hurricane season CAN 6:36 7:18 4:06A 11:02a 6:39 7:15 4:16A 11:04a
11 Fr Agatha Christie wed Max Mallowan, 1930 LEO 6:37 7:16 5:02A 11:47a 6:40 7:13 5:10A 11:49a
12 Sa Heliacal rise of Jupiter SXT 6:38 7:14 5:58A 12:30p 6:40 7:12 6:04A 12:32p
37. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
13 Su Heliacal rise of Regulus; Moon descending node VIR 6:39 7:13 7:24p 1:13p 6:41 7:10 7:25p 1:14p
14 Mo Rosh Hashanah (New Year 5776) VIR 6:40 7:11 7:54p 1:55p 6:42 7:09 7:57p 1:57p
15 Tu William H. Taft born, 1857 VIR 6:40 7:09 8:24p 2:37p 6:42 7:07 8:29p 2:39p
16 We Ember Day; Fast of Gedaliah VIR 6:41 7:08 8:55p 3:21p 6:43 7:06 9:03p 3:22p
17 Th Citizenship Day; Mercury direct LIB 6:42 7:06 9:30p 4:05p 6:44 7:05 9:39p 4:07p
18 Fr Ember Day; Mercury farthest south LIB 6:43 7:04 10:07p 4:52p 6:45 7:03 10:18p 4:54p
19 Sa Ember Day; 1st underground nuclear test, 1957 OPH 6:44 7:03 10:49p 5:40p 6:45 7:02 11:02p 5:42p
38. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 12h 52m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 12h 34m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 12h 16m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 12h 44m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
Day’s Length: 12h 29m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 12h 14m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
20 Su Captain & Tennille show premiered, 1976 OPH 6:45 7:01 11:37p 6:30p 6:46 7:00 11:50p 6:32p
21 Mo Moon lowest OPH 6:46 6:59 None 7:23p 6:47 6:59 None 7:25p
22 Tu Michael Faraday born, 1791 SAG 6:47 6:58 12:30a 8:17p 6:48 6:57 12:44a 8:19p
23 We Autumn begins 4:21 am; Yom Kippur SAG 6:48 6:56 1:30a 9:12p 6:48 6:56 1:42a 9:14p
24 Th Mars ingresses Virgo CAP 6:49 6:54 2:34a 10:08p 6:49 6:54 2:45a 10:10p
25 Fr Pluto retrograde; William Faulkner born, 1897 CAP 6:50 6:53 3:43a 11:04p 6:50 6:53 3:52a 11:06p
26 Sa Moon, Neptune very close AQU 6:51 6:51 4:54a 11:59p 6:51 6:52 5:01a None
39. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 11h 58m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 59m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 14m
27 Su Gold Star Mother’s Day; Moon at perigee PSC 6:52 6:49 6:07a None 6:51 6:50 6:11a 12:02a
28 Mo Succot; Lunar occultation of Uranus PSC 6:53 6:48 7:20P 12:56a 6:52 6:49 7:25P 12:58a
29 Tu Michaelmas Day CET 6:54 6:46 8:01P 1:53a 6:53 6:47 8:09P 1:55a
30 We Mercury in lower conjunction ARI 6:55 6:45 8:44P 2:50a 6:54 6:46 8:54P 2:52a
126
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
SEPTEMBER 2015 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Thunderstorms, then turning
pleasant. 4th-7th. Improving weather
for Labor Day. Scattered showers, thunderstorms,
then turning fair. 8th-11th.
Clearing and cooler. 12th-15th. Some
strong-to-severe thunderstorms are
possible. 16th-19th. Fair, then showers.
20th-23rd. Fair skies developing.
24th-27th. Locally heavy showers and
thunderstorms. 28th-30th. Skies clear.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Fair skies. 4th-7th. Showers
persist through Labor Day. 8th-11th.
Severe thunderstorms. A tornado
outbreak is very possible. 12th-15th.
Thunderstorms for Kentucky and
the Ohio Valley followed by clearing.
16th-19th. Fair skies, then scattered
showers. 20th-23rd. Mostly fair skies.
24th-27th. Locally heavy showers,
thunderstorms for Great Lakes area,
points east. 28th-30th. Fair, quite cool.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Hurricane threat along the
Gulf Coast, otherwise, thunderstorms
clear the Atlantic Coast, then turning
fair. 4th-7th. Potentially stormy
Labor Day weekend with widespread
thunderstorms. 8th-11th. Fair period.
12th-15th. Thunderstorms from Tennessee
Valley, points east. 16th-19th.
Rain, showers. 20th-23rd. Mostly fair
skies. 24th-27th. Showery, thundery
weather. 28th-30th. Gradual clearing.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Showers through
the holiday weekend. 8th-11th. Severe
thunderstorms Rockies, points east.
Possible tornadoes for parts of Kansas,
Missouri, Iowa. 12th-15th. Clearing
and pleasant. 16th-19th. Turning
unsettled Rockies, across the Plains,
then fair. 20th-23rd. Fair, then a few
showers, and thunderstorms Rockies.
24th-27th. Thunderstorms Colorado;
squalls over the Plains. 28th-30th. Fair
skies, unseasonably chilly.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Hurricane threat Gulf Coast;
fair elsewhere. 4th-7th. Mixed bag
for Labor Day holiday: windy through
New Mexico. Scattered showers Texas,
points east, then fair. 8th-11th. Severe
storms from Rockies through Plains;
tornadoes possible. 12th-15th. Clearing,
pleasant. Hurricane threat along
Texas Gulf Coast. 16th-19th. Unsettled:
showers over Rockies, Plains, then fair.
20th-23rd. Fair, then scattered showers,
thunderstorms. 24th-27th. Thunderstorms
Colorado; squalls for Plains.
Windy with locally heavy showers New
Mexico in to Texas. Showery, thundery
Louisiana, Arkansas area. 28th-30th.
Fair, unseasonably chilly.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Showers for the
holiday weekend. 8th-11th. Continued
rather unsettled with a few more
showers. 12th-15th. Clearing skies,
pleasant. 16th-19th. Unsettled skies,
showers for Washington and Oregon.
20th-23rd. Fair, then a few more showers.
24th-27th. Some scattered showers
continue. 28th-30th. Fair and quite cool.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Showers. Windy
Arizona. 8th-11th. Mixed clouds, sun;
a few showers and possible thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Clearing. 16th-19th.
Threatening skies with a few showers.
20th-23rd. Fair, then scattered showers
and storms; windy showers for
California, Nevada. 24th-27th. Thunderstorms
for Utah, then clearing. Fair
skies elsewhere. 28th-30th. Fair skies
and unseasonably chilly.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 127

A S T R O N O M Y
10th Month OCTOBER 2015 31 Days
LIBRA
September 23 to
October 22
SCORPIO
October 23 to
November 21
DATE
AND NOW THE FROST IS SEEN IN MORN, OVERSPREADING FIELDS WITH WHITE;
THE FARMER GATHERS IN HIS CORN, WITH PLEASURE AND DELIGHT.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
~ Last Quarter 4 th 5:06 pm
¢ New Moon 12 th 8:06 pm
£ First Quarter 20 th 4:31 pm
© Full Moon 27 th 8:05 am
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 12:50:10
8 th 12:48:03
15 th 12:46:18
22 nd 12:44:59
29 th 12:44:13
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Th 1st “Model T” Ford built, 1908 TAU 6:56 6:43 9:31P 3:46a 6:54 6:44 9:43P 3:49a
2 Fr Rome became capital of Italy, 1870 TAU 6:57 6:41 10:21P 4:43a 6:55 6:43 10:34P 4:45a
3 Sa Motor-driven vacuum cleaner patented, 1893 ORI 6:58 6:40 11:13P 5:38a 6:56 6:42 11:27P 5:41a
40. nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
4 Su Moon highest ORI 6:59 6:38 None 6:32a 6:57 6:40 None 6:34a
5 Mo 1st televised White House Address, 1947 GEM 7:00 6:37 12:08A 7:24a 6:57 6:39 12:21A 7:26a
6 Tu Simchat Torah; Pluto in eastern quadrature CAN 7:01 6:35 1:04A 8:13a 6:58 6:38 1:16A 8:15a
7 We “The Frank Sinatra Show” debuted, 1950 CAN 7:02 6:33 2:01A 9:00a 6:59 6:36 2:11A 9:02a
8 Th Venus ingresses Virgo; R.L. Stine born, 1943 LEO 7:03 6:32 2:57A 9:45a 7:00 6:35 3:05A 9:47a
9 Fr Fire Prevention Day; Mercury retrograde LEO 7:04 6:30 3:53A 10:29a 7:01 6:33 3:59A 10:30a
10 Sa Tuxedo dinner jacket debuted, 1886 LEO 7:05 6:29 4:49A 11:11a 7:01 6:32 4:53A 11:13a
41. twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
11 Su Heliacal rise of Mercury; Uranus in opposition VIR 7:06 6:27 5:44A 11:54a 7:02 6:31 5:46A 11:55a
12 Mo columbus Day; Mercury at perihelion VIR 7:07 6:26 6:40A 12:36p 7:03 6:29 6:39A 12:38p
13 Tu Mars farthest north VIR 7:08 6:24 6:57p 1:19p 7:04 6:28 7:04p 1:21p
14 We Saturn enters Scorpius LIB 7:09 6:23 7:31p 2:03p 7:05 6:27 7:40p 2:05p
15 Th Mercury descending node LIB 7:10 6:21 8:07p 2:49p 7:06 6:26 8:18p 2:51p
16 Fr Noah Webster born, 1758 OPH 7:11 6:20 8:48p 3:37p 7:06 6:24 9:00p 3:39p
17 Sa Albert Einstein moved to Princeton, NJ, 1933 OPH 7:12 6:18 9:33p 4:26p 7:07 6:23 9:46p 4:28p
42. twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 11h 39m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 21m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 04m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 11h 44m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 29m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 14m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
18 Su Moon lowest SAG 7:13 6:17 10:24p 5:17p 7:08 6:22 10:37p 5:19p
19 Mo Basketball introduced to Olympics, 1933 SAG 7:14 6:15 11:19p 6:09p 7:09 6:21 11:32p 6:12p
20 Tu George Nader born, 1921 SAG 7:15 6:14 None 7:02p 7:10 6:19 None 7:05p
21 We Daniel Boone born, 1734 CAP 7:16 6:12 12:20a 7:56p 7:11 6:18 12:32a 7:58p
22 Th Heliacal rise of Arcturus; Mercury farthest north AQU 7:17 6:11 1:24a 8:50p 7:12 6:17 1:34a 8:52p
23 Fr 1st U.S. horseshoe champ. tourney, 1915 AQU 7:19 6:10 2:32a 9:44p 7:12 6:16 2:40a 9:46p
24 Sa United Nations Day; Heliacal setting of Antares AQU 7:20 6:08 3:42a 10:38p 7:13 6:15 3:47a 10:41p
43. twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 10h 46m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 10h 59m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
25 Su Moon ascending node PSC 7:21 6:07 4:53a 11:34p 7:14 6:14 4:56a 11:36p
26 Mo Moon at perigee; Venus at max. elongation west PSC 7:22 6:06 6:06a None 7:15 6:12 6:06a None
27 Tu 1st newsreel featuring sound released, 1927 PSC 7:23 6:04 7:19a 12:30a 7:16 6:11 7:16a 12:33a
28 We Cosmic setting of Mercury TAU 7:24 6:03 7:18P 1:28a 7:17 6:10 7:29P 1:30a
29 Th NYSE crash, Great Depression began, 1929 TAU 7:25 6:02 8:08P 2:26a 7:18 6:09 8:20P 2:29a
30 Fr John Adams born, 1735 TAU 7:26 6:01 9:01P 3:24a 7:19 6:08 9:14P 3:27a
31 Sa Halloween; Moon, Betelgeuse conjunct GEM 7:27 5:59 9:57P 4:21a 7:20 6:07 10:10P 4:23a
128
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
OCTOBER 2015 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair, then a few scattered rain
showers. 4th-7th. Fair and pleasant
weather with some unseasonably cold
mornings. 8th-11th. Heavy showers,
gusty thunderstorms, then clearing,
quite cool weather. 12th-15th. Pleasant
weather returns. 16th-19th. Showers,
then clearing skies. 20th-23rd.
Rain and milder. 24th-27th. Thunderstorms,
then clearing. 28th-31st. Fair
skies, then showers.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Gusty showers. 4th-7th. Fair,
pleasant, then increasingly cloudy
skies. 8th-11th. Heavy showers, thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Partly sunny,
pleasant. 16th-19th. Showers Great
Lakes, points east. 20th-23rd. Gusty
winds, showers. 24th-27th. Clearing,
colder. 28th-31st. Fair, then showers
Michigan and Ohio area, points east.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair, then turning unsettled.
4th-7th. Pleasant weather. 8th-11th.
Heavy rains, then clearing skies and
turning quite cool. 12th-15th. Pleasant
weather. 16th-19th. A cold rain,
then fair skies. 20th-23rd. Pleasant,
then rain along Gulf Coast. 24th-27th.
Clearing, but quite cool. 28th-31st. Fair
skies prevail.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Light rain, mixed with snow
over the mountains of Montana; gusty
winds and showery across the Plains.
4th-7th. Fair, then stormy, rain over
Rockies; rain showers and wet flurries
across the Plains to the Dakotas
and Nebraska area. 8th-11th. Fair and
chilly. 12th-15th. Milder, then showers
and wet flurries for Rockies; showers
across Plains. 16th-19th. Mostly fair.
20th-23rd. Unsettled Rockies, Plains.
24th-27th. Clearing, colder. 28th-31st.
Wet Rockies, Plains, then turning fair.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Some gusty winds, showery.
4th-7th. Fair, then turning stormy with
rain and showers. 8th-11th. Fair, chilly.
12th-15th. Milder weather, then showers.
16th-19th. Mostly fair. 20th-23rd.
Unsettled for Rockies, Plains. 24th-27th.
Clearing and colder. 28th-31st. Wet
weather, followed by clearing skies.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Light rain, mixed with snow
over the mountains of Idaho. 4th-7th.
Fair, then skies turn stormy. 8th-11th.
Fair and cool. 12th-15th. Milder, but
then showers. 16th-19th. Mostly fair
weather. 20th-23rd. An unsettled time
from the Pacific Coast, spreading eastward.
24th-27th. Clearing, but turning
chilly. 28th-31st. Unsettled skies with
showers Washington and Oregon.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Unsettled conditions. 4th-7th.
Gusty winds, showery. 8th-11th. Fair,
chilly. 12th-15th. Milder, then showers.
16th-19th. Mostly fair skies. 20th-23rd.
Unsettled from West Coast, points east.
24th-27th. Clearing weather, turning
colder. 28th-31st. Unsettled, showery.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 129

A S T R O N O M Y
11th Month NOVEMBER 2015 30 Days
SCORPIO
October 23 to
November 21
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 to
December 20
DATE
TIME ON HIS WING FAST HASTES AWAY, AND CHILLS EACH WARM SUCCEED;
TO CAPRICORN SOL HASTES EACH DAY, SO NIGHTS THE DAY EXCEED.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
~ Last Quarter 3 rd 7:24 am
¢ New Moon 11 th 12:47 pm
£ First Quarter 19 th 1:27 am
© Full Moon 25 th 5:44 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 11:44:04
8 th 11:44:14
15 th 11:45:04
22 nd 11:46:36
29 th 11:48:45
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
44. Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Moon’S Place
aSTronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Su Daylight Saving Time ends; All Saints’ Day GEM 6:29 4:58 9:54P 4:15a 6:21 5:06 10:07P 4:17a
2 Mo All Souls’ Day; Venus enters Virgo CAN 6:30 4:57 10:52P 5:07a 6:22 5:05 11:03P 5:09a
3 Tu election Day LEO 6:31 4:56 11:49P 5:56a 6:22 5:04 11:59P 5:58a
4 We 1st air-conditioned car displayed, 1939 LEO 6:32 4:55 None 6:42a 6:23 5:03 None 6:44a
5 Th Heliacal rise of Spica LEO 6:33 4:54 12:46A 7:26a 6:24 5:02 12:53A 7:28a
6 Fr Mercury enters Libra LEO 6:34 4:53 1:42A 8:09a 6:25 5:02 1:47A 8:11a
7 Sa Moon, Mars very close; Moon at apogee VIR 6:35 4:51 2:37A 8:52a 6:26 5:01 2:40A 8:53a
45. Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
8 Su Venus ingresses Libra VIR 6:37 4:50 3:33A 9:34a 6:27 5:00 3:33A 9:36a
9 Mo Spiro T. Agnew born, 1918 VIR 6:38 4:49 4:29A 10:17a 6:28 4:59 4:27A 10:19a
10 Tu “Sesame Street” made its debut, 1969 VIR 6:39 4:49 5:25A 11:01a 6:29 4:58 5:21A 11:03a
11 We Veterans Day; Pluto lowest LIB 6:40 4:48 6:21A 11:46a 6:30 4:58 6:16A 11:48a
12 Th Mars ingresses Libra SCO 6:41 4:47 5:47p 12:34p 6:31 4:57 5:58p 12:36p
13 Fr Heliacal setting of Arcturus OPH 6:42 4:46 6:31p 1:23p 6:32 4:56 6:44p 1:25p
14 Sa Moon lowest; Sadie Hawkins Day SAG 6:43 4:45 7:20p 2:14p 6:33 4:55 7:33p 2:16p
46. Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 10h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 10h 14m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 24m
Day’s Length: 10h 00m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 25m
Day’s Length: 10h 46m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 17m
Day’s Length: 10h 33m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 18m
Day’s Length: 10h 21m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 19m
15 Su Battery hearing aid patented, 1902 SAG 6:45 4:44 8:14p 3:06p 6:34 4:55 8:27p 3:08p
16 Mo Neptune lowest; Burgess Meredith born, 1908 SAG 6:46 4:43 9:12p 3:59p 6:35 4:54 9:25p 4:01p
17 Tu Mercury in upper conjunction AQU 6:47 4:43 10:15p 4:51p 6:36 4:54 10:25p 4:53p
18 We Neptune retrograde; Mars descending node CAP 6:48 4:42 11:19p 5:43p 6:37 4:53 11:28p 5:46p
19 Th Moon, Neptune very close CAP 6:49 4:41 None 6:35p 6:38 4:53 None 6:38p
20 Fr Mercury enters Scorpius; Mars at aphelion AQU 6:50 4:41 12:26a 7:28p 6:39 4:52 12:32a 7:30p
21 Sa Moon ascending node PSC 6:51 4:40 1:34a 8:21p 6:40 4:52 1:38a 8:23p
47. christ the King Sunday
Day’s Length: 9h 47m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 26m
Day’s Length: 10h 10m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
22 Su Rodney Dangerfield born, 1921 CET 6:53 4:39 2:44a 9:15p 6:41 4:51 2:45a 9:17p
23 Mo Moon at perigee; Franklin Pierce born, 1804 PSC 6:54 4:39 3:55a 10:10p 6:42 4:51 3:53a 10:13p
24 Tu Dale Carnegie born, 1888 ARI 6:55 4:38 5:06a 11:07p 6:43 4:50 5:02a 11:10p
25 We Heliacal rise of Vega; Mercury enters Ophiucus TAU 6:56 4:38 6:16a None 6:44 4:50 6:10a None
26 Th Thanksgiving Day TAU 6:57 4:37 5:44P 12:06a 6:45 4:50 5:58P 12:08a
27 Fr NYC’s Pennsylvania Station opened, 1910 ORI 6:58 4:37 6:40P 1:04a 6:46 4:49 6:54P 1:06a
28 Sa Saturn enters Ophiucus; Moon highest GEM 6:59 4:37 7:38P 2:01a 6:46 4:49 7:51P 2:03a
48. First Sunday of advent
Day’s Length: 9h 36m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 27m
Day’s Length: 10h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
29 Su Neptune in eastern quadrature CAN 7:00 4:36 8:38P 2:55a 6:47 4:49 8:50P 2:57a
30 Mo Hurricane season ends; St. Andrew CAN 7:01 4:36 9:37P 3:47a 6:48 4:49 9:47P 3:49a
130
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
NOVEMBER 2015 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair, cold. Ideal for runners in
NYC Marathon. 4th-7th. Stormy with
heavy rains, perhaps mixed with sleet,
wet snow in the mountains. 8th-11th.
Fair skies. 12th-15th. Rain, then clearing.
16th-19th. Increasingly cloudy
with rain, (over the mountains) snow.
20th-23rd. More rain, wet snow, then
clearing, colder. 24th-27th. Unsettled
Thanksgiving with light snow, flurries,
then clearing. 28th-30th. Mostly fair.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Rain or wet snow Great Lakes.
4th-7th. Stormy over the nation’s midsection,
heavy precipitation sweeps
up through the Ohio Valley, then fair
but cold. 8th-11th. Increasingly cloudy,
but still pleasant. 12th-15th. Some rain
for Great Lakes, then fair. 16th-19th.
Storm sweeps out of Southwest States
dumps snow, rain up through Great
Lakes. 20th-23rd. Fair, cold. 24th-27th.
Thanksgiving sees light snow through
Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, then fair.
28th-30th. Fair, then stormy.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair, pleasant. 4th-7th. Unsettled;
showery and thundery. 8th-11th.
Unusually late hurricane threat for
the Gulf Coast. 12th-15th. Rain, then
clearing. 16th-19th. Breezy, but pleasant
conditions. 20th-23rd. Rainy, then
fair skies and colder. 24th-27th. Quick
changes during Thanksgiving holiday:
fair, then rain, quickly followed by
clearing. 28th-30th. Fair and milder.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Turning stormy for Colorado
and Plains. 4th-7th. Stormy Missouri,
then fair and cold. Clearing skies,
cold elsewhere. 8th-11th. Pleasant,
then unsettled with strong winds and
heavy precipitation for the Rockies
and Plains. Some wet snow parts of
Colorado and Kansas. 12th-15th. Fair.
16th-19th. Blustery with snow for Colorado,
Plains. 20th-23rd. Fair, cold.
24th-27th. Light snow Rockies, Plains,
points east for Thanksgiving holiday.
28th-30th. Fair, then turning stormy.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Stormy, Southern Plains to
Texas. 4th-7th. Stormy Arkansas, then
fair, cold. Clearing and cold elsewhere.
8th-11th. Turning unsettled with gusty
winds, heavy precipitation; some wet
snow northern New Mexico, Texas, and
Oklahoma. Unusually late hurricane
threat for Gulf Coast. 12th-15th. Rain
for Texas, points east, then clearing.
Fair elsewhere. 16th-19th. Blustery,
snow for Plains States. 20th-23rd. Fair,
cold. 24th-27th. Unsettled for Thanksgiving
holiday, with light snow Rockies,
Plains. Fair, then rain for Texas.
28th-30th. Fair skies, then stormy.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Some mixed sun and clouds;
pleasant. 4th-7th. Clearing and chilly.
8th-11th. Pleasant skies, then unsettled.
12th-15th. Fair skies. 16th-19th. Blustery
with showers Washington, Oregon.
20th-23rd. Fair, chilly. 24th-27th.
Unsettled, showery for Thanksgiving.
28th-30th. Fair at first, then stormy.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Pleasant, except stormy for
Utah. 4th-7th. Clearing, cold. 8th-11th.
Pleasant, then unsettled; gusty winds,
rain, snow. Wet snow Nevada, Utah,
parts of Arizona. 12th-15th. Fair skies.
16th-19th. Gusty winds, heavy precipitation;
snow for Utah. 20th-23rd. Fair,
cold. 24th-27th. Light snows Nevada,
Utah, parts of Arizona, then fair, cold.
28th-30th. Fair, then stormy: snow for
Utah; showers and thunder for Arizona.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 131

A S T R O N O M Y
12th Month DECEMBER 2015 31 Days
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 to
December 20
CAPRICORN
December 21 to
January 19
DATE
COLD BLOWS THE WIND, THE FROZEN RAIN AND FLEECY SNOW DESCEND;
FOR, FREEZING WINTER’S COME AGAIN, AND SO THE YEAR DOES END.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
~ Last Quarter 3 rd 2:40 am
¢ New Moon 11 th 5:29 am
£ First Quarter 18 th 10:14 am
© Full Moon 25 th 6:11 am
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Tu U.S. gas rationing went into effect, 1942 LEO 7:02 4:36 10:35P 4:36a 6:49 4:49 10:43P 4:38a
2 We Moon, Regulus very close SXT 7:03 4:35 11:32P 5:22a 6:50 4:49 11:38P 5:23a
3 Th Paul Harvey’s 1st national broadcast, 1950 SXT 7:04 4:35 None 6:06a 6:51 4:48 None 6:07a
4 Fr Moon descending node LEO 7:05 4:35 12:28A 6:48a 6:52 4:48 12:32A 6:50a
5 Sa Moon at apogee VIR 7:06 4:35 1:24A 7:30a 6:53 4:48 1:25A 7:32a
49. Second Sunday of advent
6 Su Washington Monument constructed, 1884 VIR 7:07 4:35 2:19A 8:13a 6:53 4:48 2:19A 8:15a
7 Mo Pearl Harbor Day; Chanukah VIR 7:08 4:35 3:15A 8:56a 6:54 4:48 3:13A 8:58a
8 Tu Conception B.V.M.; Earliest sunset in 2015 LIB 7:09 4:35 4:12A 9:41a 6:55 4:49 4:07A 9:43a
9 We Mercury ingresses Capricorn LIB 7:10 4:35 5:09A 10:28a 6:56 4:49 5:02A 10:30a
10 Th Venus enters Libra OPH 7:10 4:35 6:06A 11:17a 6:57 4:49 5:58A 11:20a
11 Fr Betsy Blair born, 1923 OPH 7:11 4:35 7:02A 12:09p 6:57 4:49 6:53A 12:11p
12 Sa Moon lowest; Frank Sinatra born, 1915 SAG 7:12 4:35 6:08p 1:01p 6:58 4:49 6:21p 1:04p
50. third Sunday of advent
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
13 Su Dick Van Dyke born, 1925 SAG 7:13 4:35 7:06p 1:55p 6:59 4:49 7:19p 1:57p
14 Mo Jupiter in western quadrature CAP 7:13 4:36 8:08p 2:48p 7:00 4:50 8:19p 2:50p
15 Tu Heliacal rise of Deneb; Mercury farthest south CAP 7:14 4:36 9:12p 3:41p 7:00 4:50 9:22p 3:43p
16 We Ember Day; Jane Austen born, 1775 AQU 7:15 4:36 10:18p 4:33p 7:01 4:50 10:25p 4:35p
17 Th Joseph Henry born, 1797 AQU 7:16 4:37 11:25p 5:24p 7:01 4:51 11:29p 5:26p
18 Fr Ember Day; Moon ascending node AQU 7:16 4:37 None 6:16p 7:02 4:51 None 6:18p
19 Sa Ember Day; Heliacal rise of Saturn PSC 7:17 4:37 12:32a 7:07p 7:03 4:51 12:34a 7:10p
51. Fourth Sunday of advent
1 st 11:49:28
8 th 11:52:20
15 th 11:55:35
22 nd 11:59:01
29 th 12:02:28
Day’s Length: 9h 28m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 9h 23m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 20m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 55m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 9h 51m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 9h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
20 Su Venus farthest north PSC 7:17 4:38 1:40a 8:00p 7:03 4:52 1:40a 8:03p
21 Mo Winter begins 11:48 pm; Sun lowest CET 7:18 4:38 2:49a 8:55p 7:04 4:52 2:46a 8:57p
22 Tu U.S. Golf Association formed, 1894 ARI 7:18 4:39 3:57a 9:51p 7:04 4:53 3:52a 9:53p
23 We Uranus lowest; James Gregory born, 1911 TAU 7:19 4:39 5:04a 10:48p 7:05 4:53 4:57a 10:50p
24 Th Moon, Betelgeuse conjunct; Moon highest TAU 7:19 4:40 6:07a 11:45p 7:05 4:54 5:59a 11:47p
25 Fr christmas Day; Uranus retrograde ORI 7:20 4:40 7:06a None 7:06 4:55 6:57a None
26 Sa Moon, Procyon conjunct GEM 7:20 4:41 6:20P 12:41a 7:06 4:55 6:33P 12:43a
52. First Sunday after christmas
Day’s Length: 9h 21m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
27 Su Heliacal rise of Antares CAN 7:20 4:42 7:20P 1:34a 7:06 4:56 7:32P 1:37a
28 Mo Mercury at max. elongation east LEO 7:21 4:42 8:20P 2:25a 7:07 4:56 8:30P 2:27a
29 Tu 1st American YMCA, Boston, 1851 LEO 7:21 4:43 9:19P 3:14a 7:07 4:57 9:26P 3:16a
30 We Venus ingresses Sagittarius LEO 7:21 4:44 10:16P 3:59a 7:07 4:58 10:21P 4:01a
31 Th New Year’s Eve; Venus enters Scorpius VIR 7:21 4:45 11:13P 4:43a 7:07 4:59 11:15P 4:45a
132
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
DECEMBER 2015 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Snow and rain. 4th-7th. Mostly
fair skies, cold. 8th-11th. Light snow,
in New England; showers Mid-Atlantic
States then clearing. 12th-15th. Fair.
16th-19th. Stormy initially, then heavy
snows upstate New York area and
northern New England, then clearing
and windy and cold. 20th-23rd. Heavy
rains near the coastal plain; ice, snow
for interior. 24th-27th. Fair, cold for
Christmas. 28th-31st. Some snow and
rain, then turning fair and cold.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Snow for Great Lakes, accumulations
2 to 4 inches. 4th-7th. Fair,
cold. 8th-11th. Light snow, then turning
fair. 12th-15th. Stormy weather.
16th-19th. Dry and colder. 20th-23rd.
Light snow east through the Ohio
Valley, then becoming fair. 24th-27th.
Fair and cold for Christmas. 28th-31st.
Some snow showers, flurries.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Rainy with some wet snow
mixing in over the higher terrain of
Tennessee. 4th-7th. Fair skies and cold.
8th-11th. Cold, showers, then clearing
skies. 12th-15th. Rainy. 16th-19th.
Rains clear, then fair, cold with frosts
to Florida area. 20th-23rd. Rain, showers,
then fair and colder. 24th-27th.
Fair, unseasonably cold for Yuletide.
Frosts down to Gulf Coast. 28th-31st.
Showery, then fair and colder.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Big storm clears Dakotas and
Nebraska area. 4th-7th. Fair at first,
then unsettled: wet for Rockies, the
Plains. 8th-11th. Clearing skies for the
Plains. 12th-15th. Stormy in Rockies,
across the Plains. 16th-19th. Colder
weather. 20th-23rd. Some snow or
flurries. 24th-27th. Fair, then stormy
with heavy snow over Rockies, Plains.
28th-31st. Clearing skies.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Gradual clearing. 4th-7th. Fair
at first, then unsettled with showers;
wet for Rockies, Plains. 8th-11th. Fair
skies. 12th-15th. Stormy in Rockies,
across Plains; rain in Texas. 16th-19th.
Colder temps. 20th-23rd. Some snow,
rain showers. 24th-27th. Fair, then
stormy. 28th-31st. Clearing skies for
Rockies and points east.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair skies. 4th-7th. Fair at first,
then turning unsettled with showers.
8th-11th. Clearing. 12th-15th. Changeable
weather: sun and clouds, risk of a
passing shower. 16th-19th. Chilly, but
dry. 20th-23rd. Showers Washington,
Oregon. 24th-27th. Skies very unsettled.
28th-31st. Clearing skies.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair skies. 4th-7th. Fair at first,
then unsettled with showers Pacific
Coast. 8th-11th. Fair skies for California
and points east. 12th-15th. Milder,
but under threatening skies. 16th-19th.
Colder weather moves in. 20th-23rd.
Some rain, (over mountainous terrain)
snow, followed by clearing. 24th-27th.
Fair skies, then turning very unsettled.
28th-31st. Clearing weather moves in.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 133

A S T R O N O M Y
1st Month JANUARY 2016 31 Days
CAPRICORN
December 21 to
January 19
AQUARIUS
January 20 to
February 18
NOW DREARY WINTER’S PIERCING COLD, FLOATS ON THE NORTHERN GALE,
AND TREES, THOUGH GREEN, LOOK DRY AND OLD; SNOW COVERS HILL AND DALE.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
~ Last Quarter 2 nd 12:30 am
¢ New Moon 9 th 8:31 pm
£ First Quarter 16 th 6:26 pm
© Full Moon 23 rd 8:46 pm
~ Last Quarter 31 st 10:28 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
DATE ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS RISES SETS
RISES SETS
1 Fr new year’s Day; Mercury enters Capricornus VIR 7:22 4:45 None 5:26a 7:08 4:59 None 5:27a
2 Sa Earth at perihelion; Moon at apogee VIR 7:22 4:46 12:08A 6:08a 7:08 5:00 12:09A 6:10a
53. Epiphany Sunday
3 Su Moon, Spica very close; Mars ingresses Scorpio VIR 7:22 4:47 1:04A 6:51a 7:08 5:01 1:02A 6:53a
4 Mo Heliacal setting of Mercury; Jupiter lowest VIR 7:22 4:48 2:00A 7:35a 7:08 5:02 1:56A 7:36a
5 Tu Latest sunrise in 2016; Venus enters Ophiucus LIB 7:22 4:49 2:56A 8:20a 7:08 5:02 2:51A 8:22a
6 We Epiphany; Joan of Arc born, 1412 SCO 7:22 4:50 3:53A 9:08a 7:08 5:03 3:46A 9:10a
7 Th Uranus in eastern quadrature; Jupiter direct OPH 7:22 4:51 4:50A 9:59a 7:08 5:04 4:41A 10:01a
8 Fr Mercury enters Sagittarius; Moon lowest SAG 7:22 4:52 5:45A 10:51a 7:08 5:05 5:36A 10:53a
9 Sa Ice storm paralyzed New England, 1998 SAG 7:21 4:53 6:38A 11:45a 7:08 5:06 6:29A 11:47a
1. First Sunday after Epiphany
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
10 Su Baptism of Jesus; 1st Texas oil strike, 1901 SAG 7:21 4:54 7:28A 12:40p 7:08 5:07 6:08p 12:42p
11 Mo Heliacal rise of Altair AQU 7:21 4:55 7:01p 1:35p 7:08 5:08 7:11p 1:37p
12 Tu John Hancock born, 1737 AQU 7:21 4:56 8:08p 2:28p 7:08 5:09 8:16p 2:31p
13 We Steamship Lexington burned, sank 1840 AQU 7:21 4:57 9:16p 3:21p 7:08 5:10 9:22p 3:23p
14 Th Mercury in lower conjunction; Moon at perigee PSC 7:20 4:58 10:24p 4:13p 7:08 5:11 10:27p 4:15p
15 Fr Moon ascending node PSC 7:20 4:59 11:32p 5:05p 7:07 5:12 11:32p 5:07p
16 Sa Mars enters Libra; Civil Service System est., 1883 PSC 7:19 5:00 None 5:57p 7:07 5:12 None 5:59p
2. Second Sunday after Epiphany
17 Su Captain Cook sailed Antarctic Circle, 1773 PSC 7:19 5:01 12:40a 6:50p 7:07 5:13 12:38a 6:52p
18 Mo MlK Jr. Birthday (obs.); A.A. Milne born, 1882 ARI 7:19 5:02 1:47a 7:44p 7:07 5:14 1:42a 7:46p
19 Tu Heliacal setting of Altair TAU 7:18 5:03 2:53a 8:39p 7:06 5:15 2:46a 8:41p
20 We Venus enters Sagittarius TAU 7:18 5:05 3:56a 9:34p 7:06 5:16 3:48a 9:37p
21 Th Moon highest; Stonewall Jackson born, 1824 TAU 7:17 5:06 4:55a 10:30p 7:05 5:17 4:46a 10:32p
22 Fr Moon, Castor conjunct GEM 7:16 5:07 5:49a 11:23p 7:05 5:18 5:40a 11:26p
23 Sa Moon, Pollux conjunct GEM 7:16 5:08 6:37a None 7:04 5:19 6:29a None
3. third Sunday after Epiphany
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 12:03:54
8 th 12:07:03
15 th 12:09:48
22 nd 12:11:59
29 th 12:13:32
24 Su James Marshall found gold, 1848 CAN 7:15 5:09 7:19a 12:15a 7:04 5:20 6:16P 12:17a
25 Mo Heliacal setting of Fomalhaut LEO 7:14 5:10 7:05P 1:05a 7:03 5:21 7:13P 1:07a
26 Tu Heliacal rise of Mercury SXT 7:14 5:12 8:03P 1:52a 7:03 5:22 8:09P 1:54a
27 We Lewis Carroll born, 1832 VIR 7:13 5:13 9:01P 2:37a 7:02 5:23 9:04P 2:39a
28 Th Moon descending node VIR 7:12 5:14 9:57P 3:20a 7:02 5:24 9:58P 3:22a
29 Fr W.C. Fields born, 1880 VIR 7:11 5:15 10:53P 4:03a 7:01 5:26 10:52P 4:05a
30 Sa Moon at apogee VIR 7:10 5:16 11:48P 4:45a 7:00 5:27 11:45P 4:47a
SUN
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
Day’s Length: 9h 25m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 32m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 9h 42m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 27m
Day’s Length: 9h 54m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 25m
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
SUN
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
Day’s Length: 9h 53m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 9h 59m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 10h 07m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 10h 17m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 19m
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
Day’s Length: 10h 08m
Day’s Length: 10h 28m
4. Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Astron. Twilight: 1h 24m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 18m
31 Su 1st U.S. satellite launched, 1958 VIR 7:10 5:18 None 5:29a 7:00 5:28 None 5:30a
134 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
JANUARY 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair, cold for Philly’s Mummers
Parade. 4th-7th. Increasingly cloudy.
8th-11th. Coastal storm brings strong
winds, flooding rain. Sleet and snow
inland with up to 4 to 8 inches possible.
12th-15th. A mix of clouds and sun.
16th-19th. Stormy over Appalachians,
with a wintry mix changing to some
heavy rains. 20th-23rd. Very changeable
skies. 24th-27th. A storm hugs
coast; snow initially, then rain. 28th-
31st. Partly sunny skies and blustery.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Fair, then increasingly cloudy.
4th-7th. Stormy, periods of snow for
Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio; a wintry mix of precipitation for
Kentucky. 8th-11th. Clearing, colder.
12th-15th. Unsettled with chilly winds.
16th-19th. Snow. 20th-23rd. Clearing.
24th-27th. More snow. 28th-31st. Fair.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Pleasant. 4th-7th. Thickening
clouds. 8th-11th. Storm moves northward
with wind and rain. 12th-15th.
Partly sunny skies. 16th-19th. Appalachian
storm brings wet and windy
weather. 20th-23rd. Mixed clouds, sun.
24th-27th. Coastal storm brings more
wet weather. 28th-31st. Gusty winds;
intervals of sunshine and clouds.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Snow Northern Plains. 4th-7th.
Stormy; Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska,
and Iowa; a wintry mix for Kansas and
for Missouri. 8th-11th. Unsettled skies
with some blustery winds. 12th-15th.
Clearing, chilly winds end. 16th-19th.
Stormy weather rapidly spreads in from
the West. Heavy snow Northern Rockies,
up to a foot possible. 20th-23rd.
Storm exits East, clearing skies, cold
weather overspreads Northern Plains.
24th-27th. Unsettled, blustery weather.
28th-31st. Clouds, wind, and snow.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Snow Southern Plains. 4th-7th.
Stormy; wintry mix changes to rain
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana.
8th-11th. Unsettled: blustery winds;
brief, hard showers for Southern Plains.
12th-15th. Clearing skies; chilly winds
diminish. 16th-19th. A storm rapidly
spreads from the West; heavy snow
Southern Rockies with 6 inches possible.
20th-23rd. Stormy weather exits,
clearing, cold weather for the Southern
Plains. 24th-27th. Unsettled, blustery.
28th-31st. Clouds, wind, mixed precipitation
changes to rain.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Changeable skies Idaho, Oregon,
Washington. Stormy, gales along
Pacific Coast. 4th-7th. Clearing inland
from Pacific Coast. 8th-11th. Changeable
skies Pacific Northwest: unsettled
with rain, snow over high elevations
of Cascades. 12th-15th. Clear skies,
chilly Pacific Coast. 16th-19th. Becoming
very unsettled. 20th-23rd. Clearing
skies, chilly. 24th-27th. Showers
along Pacific Coast, spreading inland.
28th-31st. Unsettled, stormy.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Stormy Pacific Coast. Showers
California and for Tournament of Roses
Parade. 4th-7th. Clearing inland from
the Pacific Coast. 8th-11th. Showers in
California spread east. 12th-15th. Clear
skies, chilly Pacific Coast. Frosts South
Plateau. 16th-19th. Stormy. 20th-23rd.
Clearing skies and cold with frosts for
parts of California. 24th-27th. Showers
along Pacific Coast, spreading inland.
28th-31st. Unsettled and stormy again
as another in an unending series of
Pacific disturbances comes onshore.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 135

A S T R O N O M Y
2nd Month FEBRUARY 2016 29 Days
AQUARIUS
January 20 to
February 18
PISCES
February 19 to
March 19
DATE
ALTHOUGH THE WINTER GREY WITH AGE, YET REIGNS A SOVEREIGN KING;
SOL’S PLASTIC RAYS WILL SOON ASSAUGE, AND USHER IN THE SPRING.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
¢ New Moon 8 th 9:39 am
£ First Quarter 15 th 2:46 am
© Full Moon 22 nd 1:20 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
1 Mo Heliacal setting of Vega; Moon, Mars very close LIB 7:09 5:19 12:44A 6:13a 6:59 5:29 12:39A 6:15a
2 Tu Groundhog Day (Candlemas) LIB 7:08 5:20 1:40A 6:59a 6:58 5:30 1:33A 7:01a
3 We Moon, Antares close OPH 7:07 5:21 2:36A 7:47a 6:57 5:31 2:28A 7:49a
4 Th Midpoint of winter OPH 7:06 5:22 3:31A 8:38a 6:57 5:32 3:22A 8:40a
5 Fr Moon lowest SAG 7:05 5:24 4:25A 9:31a 6:56 5:33 4:16A 9:33a
6 Sa Mercury at max. elongation west SAG 7:04 5:25 5:16A 10:26a 6:55 5:34 5:08A 10:28a
5. Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 12:14:01
8 th 12:14:38
15 th 12:14:37
22 nd 12:14:00
29 th 12:12:52
7 Su Mars in western quadrature CAP 7:03 5:26 6:04A 11:21a 6:54 5:35 5:57A 11:23a
8 Mo Boy Scouts Day; Boy Scouts incorporated, 1910 AQU 7:02 5:27 6:49A 12:16p 6:53 5:36 6:43A 12:19p
9 Tu Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras AQU 7:00 5:28 7:00p 1:11p 6:52 5:37 7:07p 1:14p
10 We Ash Wednesday; Heliacal setting of Uranus PSC 6:59 5:30 8:10p 2:06p 6:51 5:38 8:14p 2:08p
11 Th Cosmic setting of Mercury CET 6:58 5:31 9:21p 2:59p 6:50 5:39 9:22p 3:01p
12 Fr Lincoln’s Birthday; Abraham Lincoln born, 1809 PSC 6:57 5:32 10:30p 3:53p 6:49 5:40 10:29p 3:55p
13 Sa Mercury enters Capricornus ARI 6:56 5:33 11:39p 4:46p 6:48 5:41 11:35p 4:49p
6. First Sunday of lent
14 Su Valentine’s Day ARI 6:54 5:34 None 5:41p 6:47 5:42 None 5:43p
15 Mo Presidents’ Day; Susan B. Anthony born, 1820 TAU 6:53 5:36 12:45a 6:35p 6:46 5:43 12:39a 6:37p
16 Tu Venus enters Capricornus TAU 6:52 5:37 1:49a 7:30p 6:45 5:44 1:41a 7:32p
17 We Ember Day; Moon highest TAU 6:51 5:38 2:49a 8:24p 6:44 5:44 2:40a 8:26p
18 Th Pluto discovered, 1930 GEM 6:49 5:39 3:44a 9:17p 6:43 5:45 3:35a 9:20p
19 Fr Ember Day; Moon, Castor conjunct GEM 6:48 5:40 4:33a 10:09p 6:42 5:46 4:24a 10:11p
20 Sa Ember Day CAN 6:47 5:41 5:17a 10:58p 6:41 5:47 5:09a 11:01p
7. Second Sunday of lent
Day’s Length: 10h 23m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 23m
Day’s Length: 10h 40m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 10h 57m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 10h 41m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 17m
Day’s Length: 10h 54m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
Day’s Length: 11h 09m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
21 Su Mercury at aphelion CAN 6:45 5:43 5:56a 11:46p 6:40 5:48 5:50a 11:48p
22 Mo Washington’s Birthday (Traditional) LEO 6:44 5:44 6:31a None 6:38 5:49 6:27a None
23 Tu Moon, Jupiter very close LEO 6:43 5:45 6:50P 12:31a 6:37 5:50 6:55P 12:33a
24 We Moon descending node VIR 6:41 5:46 7:47P 1:16a 6:36 5:51 7:49P 1:17a
25 Th Income Tax est., 1913 VIR 6:40 5:47 8:43P 1:59a 6:35 5:52 8:43P 2:00a
26 Fr Moon at apogee VIR 6:38 5:48 9:38P 2:41a 6:34 5:53 9:37P 2:43a
27 Sa Henry Wadsworth Longfellow born, 1807 LIB 6:37 5:49 10:34P 3:24a 6:32 5:54 10:30P 3:26a
8. third Sunday of lent
Day’s Length: 11h 15m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 24m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
28 Su Neptune in conjunction LIB 6:35 5:50 11:29P 4:08a 6:31 5:55 11:23P 4:09a
29 Mo Leap Day; Heliacal setting of Deneb LIB 6:34 5:52 None 4:52a 6:30 5:56 None 4:54a
136 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
FEBRUARY 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Winds ease; sun gives way to
clouds. 4th-7th. Stormy Mid-Atlantic
Coast. 8th-11th. Lingering clouds and
flurries. 12th-15th. Nor’easter! Strong
winds and heavy precipitation. A wintry
mix near the coast; all snow inland.
Heavy accumulations (8 to 16") are possible.
16th-19th. Mixed sun and clouds.
20th-23rd. Snow or mixed precipitation.
24th-29th. Storm moves along Appalachian
Trail. Wintry mix changes to rain.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Very unsettled through Kentucky,
Ohio Valley through the Great
Lakes area. 4th-7th. Fair, much colder
Midwest. 8th-11th. Snow in the Ohio
Valley and all points north. 12th-15th.
Fair, then turning stormy and wet;
changing to snow over the Ohio Valley
and points north. 16th-19th. Turning
fair and colder. 20th-23rd. Relatively
pleasant in the Ohio Valley. 24th-29th.
Becoming stormy with snow.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Gusty winds decrease, clouds
increase. 4th-7th. A storm evolves
along the Mid-Atlantic Coast bringing
showery rains. 8th-11th. Some clouds,
few showers. 12th-15th. Coastal storm
revs-up as it moves north; increasing
wind and rain. 16th-19th. Storm Southeast
Coast brushes shore with gusty
winds and rain; sun, clouds elsewhere.
20th-23rd. Pleasant, then unsettled and
very chilly. 24th-29th. Stormy. Mainly
rain, though some snow could fall over
the high elevations of the Appalachians.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Blizzard conditions initially
for Northern Plains with up to a foot
possible; clearing by the 3rd. 4th-7th.
Fair skies and much colder. 8th-11th.
Unsettled Northern Plains with snow
for the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and
Nebraska; sleet for Kansas/Missouri.
12th-15th. More storminess spreads
from the Pacific through Rockies and
points east. 16th-19th. Clearing and
colder. 20th-23rd. Snow for Northern
Plains, spreading east. 24th-29th. Yet
another round of stormy weather.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Snow showers and flurries, all
clear away by the 3rd. 4th-7th. Fair
and much colder. 8th-11th. Unsettled
Southern Plains with sleet for Arkansas
and the Texas–Oklahoma Panhandle.
Rain across central and southern
Texas. Mardi Gras looks wet. 12th-15th.
Stormy Pacific Coast to Arkansas and
Louisiana. 16th-19th. Clearing, colder.
20th-23rd. Rain Southern Plains States,
spreading east. 24th-29th. Yet another
round of stormy weather pushes into
Arkansas and Louisiana.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Fair skies, then
rather unsettled east. 8th-11th. Clearing
for Pacific Coast. 12th-15th. Stormy
for Pacific Coast. 16th-19th. Clearing
skies, but turning chilly. 20th-23rd.
Snow and/or rain. 24th-29th. Milder
temps accompany stormy weather.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Sunny skies. 4th-7th. Fair, then
cloudy with a risk of showers. Possible
showers for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium
in Santa Clara, CA. 8th-11th. Clearing
skies along Pacific Coast. 12th-15th.
Stormy weather spreads inland from
the Pacific Coast. 16th-19th. Skies clear,
but turning colder. Frosts for parts of
California. 20th-23rd. Changeable skies.
24th-29th. Gusty winds, generally an
unsettled weather regime.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 137

A S T R O N O M Y
3rd Month MARCH 2016 31 Days
PISCES
February 19 to
March 19
ARIES
March 20 to
April 18
DATE
NOW SPRING HAS COME, THE BIRDS REJOICE, AND CHAUNT THE CHEERFUL LAY;
THE FARMER WITH EXULTING JOYS, PREPARES FOR APRIL’S DAY.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
~ Last Quarter 1 st 6:11 pm
¢ New Moon 8 th 8:54 pm
£ First Quarter 15 th 1:03 pm
© Full Moon 23 rd 8:01 am
~ Last Quarter 31 st 11:17 am
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Tu 1st U.S. Bank est., 1780 SCO 6:32 5:53 12:24A 5:39a 6:28 5:56 12:17A 5:41a
2 We Moon, Saturn very close OPH 6:31 5:54 1:19A 6:28a 6:27 5:57 1:10A 6:30a
3 Th Mercury enters Aquarius; Moon lowest SAG 6:29 5:55 2:12A 7:18a 6:26 5:58 2:03A 7:20a
4 Fr Knute Rockne born, 1888 SAG 6:28 5:56 3:03A 8:11a 6:25 5:59 2:54A 8:13a
5 Sa Mars ingresses Sagittarius SAG 6:26 5:57 3:52A 9:05a 6:23 6:00 3:44A 9:07a
9. Fourth Sunday of lent
6 Su Saturn in western quadrature CAP 6:25 5:58 4:38A 9:59a 6:22 6:01 4:31A 10:02a
7 Mo “We are the World” released, 1985 CAP 6:23 5:59 5:21A 10:55a 6:21 6:02 5:16A 10:57a
8 Tu Jupiter in opposition; Moon, Neptune very close AQU 6:22 6:00 6:01A 11:50a 6:19 6:02 5:59A 11:52a
9 We Venus enters Aquarius; Moon ascending node PSC 6:20 6:01 6:59p 12:45p 6:18 6:03 7:02p 12:48p
10 Th Moon at perigee; Telephone invented, 1876 PSC 6:18 6:02 8:12p 1:41p 6:17 6:04 8:12p 1:43p
11 Fr Johnny Appleseed Day CET 6:17 6:03 9:23p 2:36p 6:15 6:05 9:21p 2:39p
12 Sa Girl Scouts Day; Mars enters Scorpius ARI 6:15 6:04 10:33p 3:33p 6:14 6:06 10:28p 3:35p
10. Fifth Sunday of lent
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
13 Su Daylight Saving Time begins; Saturn lowest ARI 7:14 7:06 None 5:29p 7:12 7:07 None 5:31p
14 Mo Albert Einstein born, 1879 TAU 7:12 7:07 12:40a 6:25p 7:11 7:07 12:33a 6:27p
15 Tu Moon, Betelgeuse conjunct; Moon highest TAU 7:10 7:08 1:43a 7:20p 7:10 7:08 1:34a 7:23p
16 We James Madison born, 1751 ORI 7:09 7:09 2:40a 8:14p 7:08 7:09 2:31a 8:16p
17 Th St. Patrick’s Day; Moon, Procyon conjunct GEM 7:07 7:10 3:31a 9:06p 7:07 7:10 3:22a 9:08p
18 Fr Cosmic setting of Venus CAN 7:06 7:11 4:16a 9:56p 7:06 7:11 4:08a 9:58p
19 Sa Mercury enters Pisces CAN 7:04 7:12 4:56a 10:43p 7:04 7:12 4:50a 10:45p
11. Passion/Palm Sunday
1 st 12:12:41
8 th 12:11:06
15 th 13:09:14
22 nd 13:07:10
29 th 13:05:03
Day’s Length: 11h 33m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 52m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 12h 10m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 39m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 54m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 14m
Day’s Length: 12h 10m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
20 Su 1st day of spring 12:30 am; Venus at aphelion LEO 7:02 7:13 5:32a 11:29p 7:03 7:12 5:27a 11:31p
21 Mo Moon, Jupiter very close LEO 7:01 7:14 6:05a None 7:01 7:13 6:02a None
22 Tu Jamestown massacre, 1622 LEO 6:59 7:15 6:36a 12:13a 7:00 7:14 6:35a 12:15a
23 We Fast of Esther; Mercury in upper conjunction VIR 6:58 7:16 7:35P 12:56a 6:58 7:15 7:36P 12:58a
24 Th Holy Thursday; Purim VIR 6:56 7:17 8:31P 1:39a 6:57 7:16 8:30P 1:40a
25 Fr Good Friday; Mercury enters Cetus VIR 6:54 7:18 9:27P 2:21a 6:56 7:16 9:23P 2:23a
26 Sa Mercury enters Pisces LIB 6:53 7:19 10:22P 3:05a 6:54 7:17 10:17P 3:06a
12. Easter Sunday
Day’s Length: 12h 29m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 12h 25m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
27 Su Last Easter in March until 2024 LIB 6:51 7:20 11:17P 3:49a 6:53 7:18 11:10P 3:51a
28 Mo Easter Monday LIB 6:49 7:21 None 4:34a 6:51 7:19 None 4:36a
29 Tu U.S. ratified 23rd Amendment, 1961 OPH 6:48 7:22 12:11A 5:22a 6:50 7:20 12:03A 5:24a
30 We Moon lowest OPH 6:46 7:23 1:04A 6:11a 6:49 7:20 12:55A 6:13a
31 Th 1st U.S. Daylight Saving Time, 1918 SAG 6:45 7:24 1:55A 7:01a 6:47 7:21 1:46A 7:03a
138 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
MARCH 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Lingering clouds with a residual
shower. 4th-7th. A coastal storm
brings gusty winds, hefty dose of precipitation.
8th-11th. Another coastal
storm! 12th-15th. Finally, a return to
sunny skies. 16th-19th. Fair. 20th-23rd.
Fair skies continue. 24th-27th. Unsettled
conditions with rain/wet snow for
Easter. 28th-31st. Continued unsettled
for Northeast, Middle Atlantic regions,
then clearing.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Clearing skies. 4th-7th. Sunny
skies, warmer, especially for southern
Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. 8th-11th.
Fair skies. 12th-15th. Stormy conditions.
16th-19th. Generally fair from
Kentucky, points north to Great Lakes.
20th-23rd. Unsettled. 24th-27th. Rain,
snow Midwest States for Easter. Generally
fair, dry for Wisconsin, Upper
Peninsula of Michigan. 28th-31st.
Very windy along Ohio River, then
clearing skies.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. More clouds than sun with a
possible rain shower. 4th-7th. Windy,
rainy. 8th-11th. More rain and wind.
12th-15th. Clearing. 16th-19th. Gusty
winds Gulf Coast. Unsettled skies as
far north as Tennessee Valley. Mainly
dry eastward across Carolinas, Georgia,
Florida. 20th-23rd. Clearing Mississippi
Valley. Showers spread east.
24th-27th. Fair for Easter. Windy Gulf
States. 28th-31st. Showery, then fair.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Sun-filled skies for Northern
Plains. 4th-7th. Increasing cloudiness.
8th-11th. Fair skies. 12th-15th. Stormy
conditions Northern Rockies spreading
east. 16th-19th. Fair skies gradually
return. 20th-23rd. Sunshine gives
way to increasing, thickening clouds.
24th-27th. Major storm evolves over
Southern Rockies, pushes eastward
for Easter, bringing significant snows
to Kansas, Missouri, less northern
areas. 28th-31st. Clearing most areas.
Unseasonably cold temperatures over
Northern Plains.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Fair across Southern Plains.
4th-7th. Increasingly cloudy. 8th-11th.
Fair for most areas. 12th-15th. Stormy
for the Southern Rockies. 16th-19th.
Gradual clearing. 20th-23rd. Sunshine
gives way to clouds. 24th-27th. Major
storm brings a late-season blizzard
to parts of Southern Plains for Easter
with up to a half-foot of accumulation
possible. 28th-31st. Mainly sunny.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair for Washington, Oregon,
Idaho. 4th-7th. Unsettled conditions.
8th-11th. Mild along the Pacific Coast.
12th-15th. Gales for Washington, Oregon
coastal areas. 16th-19th. Showers
along the Pacific Coast spreading east.
20th-23rd. Clearing skies for Idaho,
Oregon, Washington. 24th-27th. Gales
again on Pacific Coast in time for Easter.
28th-31st. Clear and cold.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Pleasant for Southwest States.
4th-7th. Unsettled skies evolve and
spread eastward. 8th-11th. Mild along
Pacific Coast. 12th-15th. Very unsettled
conditions, gusty winds with copious
amounts of precipitation. 16th-19th.
Showers along Pacific Coast, spreading
east. 20th-23rd. Sun-filled skies, pleasant,
especially California. 24th-27th.
Gales again on Pacific Coast for Easter
holiday. 28th-31st. A spell of pleasantly
mild weather.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 139

A S T R O N O M Y
4th Month APRIL 2016 30 Days
ARIES
March 20 to
April 18
TAURUS
April 19 to
May 19
DATE
HAIL, APRIL WITH HER SMILING FACE HAS COME TO CHEER THE PLAIN;
THE GRASS IS SEEN TO START APACE, AS DOES THE NEEDFUL GRAIN.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 7 th 7:24 am
£ First Quarter 13 th 11:59 pm
© Full Moon 22 nd 1:24 am
~ Last Quarter 29 th 11:29 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Fr April Fools’ Day; Mars enters Ophiucus SAG 6:43 7:25 2:43A 7:53a 6:46 7:22 2:35A 7:55a
2 Sa 1st U.S. Mint est., 1792 CAP 6:41 7:26 3:29A 8:45a 6:45 7:23 3:21A 8:48a
13. Second Sunday of Easter
3 Su Super tornado outbreak, 13 states, 1974 AQU 6:40 7:27 4:12A 9:39a 6:43 7:24 4:06A 9:41a
4 Mo Annunciation (Observed) AQU 6:38 7:28 4:52A 10:33a 6:42 7:24 4:48A 10:35a
5 Tu Acronycal rise of Mercury; Mercury enters Aries AQU 6:37 7:29 5:31A 11:27a 6:40 7:25 5:30A 11:30a
6 We Pluto in western quadrature PSC 6:35 7:30 6:10A 12:23p 6:39 7:26 6:11A 12:25p
7 Th Moon at perigee PSC 6:33 7:31 7:58p 1:19p 6:38 7:27 7:57p 1:21p
8 Fr Venus ascending node; Betty Ford born, 1918 ARI 6:32 7:32 9:12p 2:16p 6:36 7:28 9:08p 2:19p
9 Sa Uranus in conjunction TAU 6:30 7:33 10:23p 3:15p 6:35 7:28 10:17p 3:17p
14. third Sunday of Easter
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
10 Su Venus enters Cetus; Uranus farthest from Earth TAU 6:29 7:34 11:30p 4:13p 6:34 7:29 11:22p 4:16p
11 Mo Venus farthest south; Apollo 13 launched, 1970 TAU 6:27 7:35 None 5:11p 6:32 7:30 None 5:14p
12 Tu Moon highest; U.S. Civil War began, 1861 TAU 6:26 7:36 12:32a 6:08p 6:31 7:31 12:23a 6:10p
13 We Venus enters Pisces; Moon, Pollux conjunct GEM 6:24 7:37 1:27a 7:02p 6:30 7:32 1:18a 7:04p
14 Th Pan-American Day GEM 6:23 7:38 2:15a 7:53p 6:28 7:32 2:06a 7:55p
15 Fr Mercury farthest north CAN 6:21 7:39 2:57a 8:41p 6:27 7:33 2:50a 8:43p
16 Sa Apollo 16 began its lunar mission, 1972 LEO 6:20 7:40 3:34a 9:27p 6:26 7:34 3:29a 9:29p
15. Fourth Sunday of Easter
1 st 13:04:09
8 th 13:02:10
15 th 13:00:23
22 nd 12:58:52
29 th 12:57:45
Day’s Length: 12h 47m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 13h 05m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 13h 23m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 24m
Day’s Length: 12h 40m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
Day’s Length: 12h 55m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 17m
Day’s Length: 13h 10m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 18m
17 Su Moon, Jupiter very close; Mars direct LEO 6:18 7:41 4:08a 10:12p 6:25 7:35 4:04a 10:13p
18 Mo Patriot’s Day (ME & MA); Pluto direct LEO 6:17 7:42 4:39a 10:55p 6:23 7:36 4:38a 10:56p
19 Tu Moon descending node VIR 6:15 7:43 5:09a 11:37p 6:22 7:36 5:09a 11:39p
20 We Floods devastated Upper Plains, 1997 VIR 6:14 7:44 5:38a None 6:21 7:37 5:41a None
21 Th Moon at apogee VIR 6:13 7:45 6:08a 12:20a 6:20 7:38 6:13a 12:21a
22 Fr Heliacal setting of Mercury LIB 6:11 7:46 8:17P 1:03a 6:18 7:39 8:12P 1:04a
23 Sa 1st Day of Passover LIB 6:10 7:47 9:12P 1:47a 6:17 7:40 9:06P 1:48a
16. Fifth Sunday of Easter
Day’s Length: 13h 40m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 26m
Day’s Length: 13h 24m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 19m
24 Su 1st soda fountain patent granted, 1833 OPH 6:08 7:48 10:07P 2:32a 6:16 7:40 9:59P 2:34a
25 Mo Moon, Mars very close; Moon, Antares close OPH 6:07 7:49 11:00P 3:19a 6:15 7:41 10:51P 3:21a
26 Tu John James Audubon born, 1785 SAG 6:06 7:50 11:51P 4:07a 6:14 7:42 11:42P 4:09a
27 We Moon lowest; Ulysses S. Grant born, 1822 SAG 6:04 7:51 None 4:57a 6:13 7:43 None 4:59a
28 Th Moon, Pluto very close; Mercury direct SAG 6:03 7:52 12:40A 5:47a 6:12 7:44 12:31A 5:49a
29 Fr Heliacal setting of Rigel SAG 6:02 7:53 1:25A 6:38a 6:11 7:45 1:17A 6:40a
30 Sa Venus enters Aries CAP 6:00 7:54 2:08A 7:30a 6:09 7:45 2:01A 7:32a
140
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
APRIL 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Sun gives way to unsettled
skies. 4th-7th. Periods of rain, then
sunny. 8th-11th. Fair skies, then turning
stormy. 12th-15th. Thunderstorms
move off East Coast; becoming fair.
16th-19th. Becoming unsettled with
showers in New England, down to Middle
Atlantic Coast. Patriot’s Day could
be wet. 20th-23rd. Fair for Northeast,
and the Mid-Atlantic States; unseasonably
warm. 24th-27th. Some potent
thunderstorms sweep east through
New England and much of Northeast.
28th-30th. Sunny skies return.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Unstable conditions. 4th-7th.
Rain Great Lakes, points east, then
clearing. 8th-11th. Thundery for Ohio
Valley, Great Lakes. 12th-15th. Clearing
along Mississippi River. 16th-19th.
Turning chilly, unsettled. 20th-23rd.
Heavy-to-severe thunderstorms Wisconsin,
Illinois, parts of western Kentucky.
24th-27th. Big thunderstorms
Ohio Valley and eastern Great Lakes.
28th-30th. Unsettled weather sweeps
in from West.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Pleasant initially, then unsettled.
4th-7th. Showers, then clearing.
8th-11th. Becoming thundery. Showers
may threaten Masters Tournament
in Augusta, GA. 12th-15th. Thunderstorms
move off the coast; becoming
fair. Quite chilly Gulf Coast. 16th-19th.
Mix of clouds, sun; small risk of a
shower. 20th-23rd. Fair, very warm,
then unsettled. Heavy thunderstorms
Tennessee and Mississippi. 24th-27th.
More thunderstorms march eastward
through Tennessee Valley. 28th-30th.
Sunshine gives way to increasingly
cloudy skies from West.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Unsettled. 4th-7th. Clearing
skies. 8th-11th. Strong winds Northern
Rockies, to Northern Plains. 12th-15th.
Fair, dry for most areas. 16th-19th.
Showery. 20th-23rd. Potentially severe
storms extend from Minnesota, south
to Iowa, Missouri. Storms may have frequent
lightning, damaging winds, large
hail, even a few tornadoes. 24th-27th.
Fair. 28th-30th. Cloudy and showery
weather sweeps in from West.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Stormy weather. 4th-7th. Sunshine,
dry. 8th-11th. Blustery winds
spread eastward. 12th-15th. Fair skies
for most areas. 16th-19th. Unsettled.
20th-23rd. Potentially severe storms
for Arkansas, down into Louisiana.
Storms may produce cloud-to-ground
lightning, damaging winds, large hail,
even tornadoes. 24th-27th. Abundant
sunshine. 28th-30th. Clouds, showers
move in from the West.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Unsettled time. 4th-7th. Fair.
8th-11th. Gales for Pacific Coast, eastward.
12th-15th. Fair, dry. 16th-19th.
Unsettled, then clearing. 20th-23rd.
Partly to mostly sunny. 24th-27th.
Continued fair. 28th-30th. Clouds,
wind, rain moves in from Pacific.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Threatening skies Southwest.
4th-7th. Fair skies and abundant sunshine.
8th-11th. Gales for Pacific Coast,
spreading eastward. 12th-15th. Fair
most areas: sunny days, cold nights.
16th-19th. Generally fair weather skies.
20th-23rd. Partly to mostly sunny skies.
24th-27th. Continued fair. 28th-30th.
Blustery winds accompanied by clouds
and showers.
141

A S T R O N O M Y
5th Month MAY 2016 31 Days
TAURUS
April 19 to
May 19
GEMINI
May 20 to
June 19
WITH VERDURE THE WIDE EARTH’S OVERSPREAD, AND TREES ADORNED WITH BLOOMS;
THE PATHS IN MAY BOW SWEET TO TREAD, MID FORESTS OF PERFUME.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 6 th 3:29 pm
£ First Quarter 13 th 1:02 pm
© Full Moon 21 st 5:14 pm
~ Last Quarter 29 th 8:12 am
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
DATE
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
17. Sixth Sunday of Easter
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Su Greek Orthodox Easter; Law Day CAP 5:59 7:55 2:48A 8:21a 6:08 7:46 2:43A 8:24a
2 Mo Catherine the Great born, 1729 AQU 5:58 7:56 3:26A 9:14a 6:07 7:47 3:23A 9:16a
3 Tu Moon ascending node PSC 5:57 7:57 4:03A 10:07a 6:06 7:48 4:03A 10:09a
4 We Panama Canal construction began, 1904 CET 5:56 7:58 4:40A 11:01a 6:05 7:49 4:43A 11:04a
5 Th Ascension Day; Heliacal setting of Aldebaran PSC 5:54 7:59 5:19A 11:57a 6:04 7:49 5:25A 12:00p
6 Fr Jupiter highest; Moon at perigee ARI 5:53 8:00 7:57p 12:55p 6:03 7:50 6:10A 12:58p
7 Sa Kentucky Derby TAU 5:52 8:01 9:09p 1:55p 6:03 7:51 9:01p 1:57p
18. Seventh Sunday of Easter
8 Su V. E. Day; Mother’s Day TAU 5:51 8:02 10:15p 2:55p 6:02 7:52 10:07p 2:57p
9 Mo Mercury in lower conjunction; Moon highest GEM 5:50 8:03 11:15p 3:54p 6:01 7:53 11:06p 3:56p
10 Tu Mars lowest; 1st Mother’s Day Grafton, WV, 1908 GEM 5:49 8:04 None 4:51p 6:00 7:53 11:59p 4:54p
11 We F5 tornado strikes Waco, TX, 1953 GEM 5:48 8:05 12:08a 5:45p 5:59 7:54 None 5:48p
12 Th Florence Nightingale born, 1820 CAN 5:47 8:06 12:54a 6:36p 5:58 7:55 12:47a 6:38p
13 Fr Final battle of the Civil War, 1865 CAN 5:46 8:07 1:35a 7:24p 5:57 7:56 1:28a 7:26p
14 Sa Moon, Regulus very close LEO 5:45 8:08 2:10a 8:10p 5:57 7:57 2:06a 8:11p
19. Pentecost Sunday
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
15 Su Heliacal setting of Sirius LEO 5:44 8:09 2:42a 8:53p 5:56 7:57 2:40a 8:55p
16 Mo Moon descending node VIR 5:43 8:10 3:12a 9:36p 5:55 7:58 3:12a 9:38p
17 Tu Heliacal setting of Betelgeuse VIR 5:42 8:11 3:41a 10:18p 5:54 7:59 3:44a 10:20p
18 We Ember Day; Venus enters Taurus VIR 5:41 8:12 4:11a 11:01p 5:54 8:00 4:15a 11:03p
19 Th Mercury at aphelion VIR 5:41 8:13 4:41a 11:44p 5:53 8:00 4:47a 11:46p
20 Fr Ember Day; Levis jeans patented, 1873 LIB 5:40 8:14 5:13a None 5:52 8:01 5:22a None
21 Sa Armed Forces Day; Ember Day LIB 5:39 8:15 None 12:29a 5:52 8:02 None 12:31a
20. trinity Sunday
1 st 12:57:30
8 th 12:56:57
15 th 12:56:51
22 nd 12:57:12
29 th 12:57:58
Day’s Length: 13h 56m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 14h 11m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 30m
Day’s Length: 14h 25m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 32m
Day’s Length: 14h 37m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 34m
Day’s Length: 13h 38m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 13h 50m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 14h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 24m
Day’s Length: 14h 11m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 25m
22 Su National Maritime Day; Mars in opposition OPH 5:38 8:16 8:56P 1:16a 5:51 8:03 8:48P 1:18a
23 Mo South Carolina became state, 1788 SAG 5:38 8:16 9:49P 2:04a 5:51 8:03 9:40P 2:06a
24 Tu Heliacal rise of Fomalhaut; Moon lowest SAG 5:37 8:17 10:39P 2:54a 5:50 8:04 10:29P 2:56a
25 We Ralph Waldo Emerson born, 1803 SAG 5:36 8:18 11:25P 3:44a 5:50 8:05 11:17P 3:46a
26 Th Lag B’Omer; Corpus Christi SAG 5:36 8:19 None 4:35a 5:49 8:05 None 4:37a
27 Fr Mars ingresses Scorpio CAP 5:35 8:20 12:08A 5:26a 5:49 8:06 12:01A 5:28a
28 Sa Jim Thorpe born, 1888 CAP 5:35 8:20 12:48A 6:17a 5:48 8:07 12:43A 6:19a
21. corpus christi Sunday
Day’s Length: 14h 47m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 36m
Day’s Length: 14h 20m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 27m
29 Su Mars enters Libra AQU 5:34 8:21 1:26A 7:07a 5:48 8:07 1:22A 7:10a
30 Mo Memorial Day; Mars closest to Earth AQU 5:34 8:22 2:02A 7:58a 5:48 8:08 2:01A 8:01a
31 Tu Moon ascending node; Walt Whitman born, 1819 PSC 5:33 8:23 2:38A 8:50a 5:47 8:09 2:39A 8:53a
142
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
MAY 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Scattered showers then clearing,
pleasant. 4th-7th. Pleasant spring
weather continues. 8th-11th. Showers,
thunderstorms from the West sweep
east; possibly severe in New England.
12th-15th. Fair skies, then unsettled.
16th-19th. Fair and pleasant. 20th-23rd.
Thunderstorms sweep across Atlantic
Coast, then clear. Showers could linger
around Pimlico for Preakness Stakes.
24th-27th. Fair skies; gusty winds New
England. 28th-31st. Hot Middle Atlantic
States. Showers sweep up through
New England.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Skies clear. 4th-7th. Pleasant
spring weather across the Great
Lakes, all points south. Fine, dry
weather for Derby Day in Louisville.
8th-11th. A few scattered thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Mixed clouds and
sun. 16th-19th. Pleasant Ohio Valley,
Great Lakes area. 20th-23rd. Mixed
sun and clouds. 24th-27th. Warm temperatures.
28th-31st. Showers rapidly
sweep east from Great Lakes. Showers
could dampen the Indy 500.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Warm and more humid with
mixed clouds and sun. Risk of a shower
or thunderstorm. 4th-7th. Continued
warm; very pleasant spring weather.
8th-11th. Mixed clouds, sun, chance
of a thunderstorm or two. 12th-15th.
Sun and clouds. 16th-19th. Fair, pleasant
weather; becoming unsettled by
the 19th. 20th-23rd. Thunderstorms
sweep in; quite windy along coastal
areas. Clearing by 23rd. 24th-27th.
Mainly dry with warm temperatures.
28th-31st. Hot, humid with developing
showers, especially along the Gulf
Coast.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. A spell of fine dry, pleasant
weather. 4th-7th. Widespread showers
and thunder. 8th-11th. Skies slowly
clear over the North Central States.
12th-15th. Changeable skies; breezy
under a mix of sun, clouds. 16th-19th.
Fair initially, then skies becoming very
unsettled. 20th-23rd. Skies are slow
to clear. 24th-27th. Hot for the Northern
Plains. Thunderstorms developing
over Northern Rockies. 28th-31st.
Becoming mostly pleasant.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Fair and dry. 4th-7th. Showers
and thunderstorms. 8th-11th. Gradual
clearing. 12th-15th. Mix of sun and
clouds. Windy Texas west into New
Mexico. 16th-19th. Starting off fair,
then unsettled. 20th-23rd. Skies clear.
24th-27th. Hot Southern Plains. Thunderstorms
develop over the Southern
Rockies. 28th-31st. Mostly fair skies.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Pleasant conditions. 4th-7th.
Heavy showers. 8th-11th. Fair skies.
12th-15th. Local showers Washington,
Oregon, Idaho. 16th-19th. Fair initially
for Pacific Coast, then becoming very
unsettled. 20th-23rd. Skies are slow
to clear. 24th-27th. Mixed clouds, sun.
28th-31st. Mostly pleasant weather.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Pleasant. 4th-7th. Changeable
skies. 8th-11th. Fair for the West Coast.
12th-15th. Gusty winds for South Plateau.
16th-19th. Fair initially for Pacific
Coast, then becoming very unsettled.
20th-23rd. Skies slowly clear. Pleasant
weather in California. 24th-27th.
Mixed clouds, sun. 28th-31st. Mostly
pleasant weather returns. Mostly fair
skies, quite cool.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 143

A S T R O N O M Y
6th Month JUNE 2016 30 Days
GEMINI
May 20 to
June 19
CANCER
June 20 to
July 21
DATE
SOL’S HEATING RAYS EACH MIST RETRACTS, THAT HOVERS OVER THE PLAIN;
THE CLOUDS OVERHEAD GROW THICK AND BLACK, IN TORRENTS POURS THE RAIN.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 4 th 11:00 pm
£ First Quarter 12 th 4:10 am
© Full Moon 20 th 7:02 am
~ Last Quarter 27 th 2:19 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 We Hurricane season begins PSC 5:33 8:23 3:14A 9:44a 5:47 8:09 3:19A 9:46a
2 Th Thomas Hardy born, 1840 CET 5:32 8:24 3:53A 10:39a 5:47 8:10 4:00A 10:41a
3 Fr Saturn in opposition; Saturn closest to Earth ARI 5:32 8:25 4:36A 11:37a 5:46 8:10 4:45A 11:39a
4 Sa Heliacal rise of Capella TAU 5:32 8:25 5:23A 12:36p 5:46 8:11 5:35A 12:38p
22. third Sunday after Pentecost
5 Su Children’s Day; Mercury at max. elongation west TAU 5:31 8:26 8:58p 1:36p 5:46 8:12 8:49p 1:38p
6 Mo Heliacal setting of Procyon; Moon highest GEM 5:31 8:27 9:56p 2:35p 5:46 8:12 9:47p 2:38p
7 Tu Mohammed died, 632 GEM 5:31 8:27 10:47p 3:32p 5:46 8:13 10:39p 3:35p
8 We Mercury farthest south CAN 5:31 8:28 11:31p 4:26p 5:45 8:13 11:24p 4:29p
9 Th Greek Orthodox Ascension Day CAN 5:31 8:28 None 5:17p 5:45 8:14 None 5:19p
10 Fr Alcoholics Anonymous founded, 1935 LEO 5:31 8:29 12:09a 6:05p 5:45 8:14 12:04a 6:06p
11 Sa Neptune highest; End of sugar rationing, 1947 LEO 5:30 8:29 12:43a 6:50p 5:45 8:14 12:40a 6:51p
23. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
12 Su Shavuot; Mercury ingresses Gemini LEO 5:30 8:30 1:15a 7:33p 5:45 8:15 1:14a 7:35p
13 Mo Earliest sunrise in 2016; Neptune direct VIR 5:30 8:30 1:44a 8:16p 5:45 8:15 1:46a 8:17p
14 Tu Flag Day; Moon, Spica very close VIR 5:30 8:31 2:14a 8:58p 5:45 8:16 2:17a 9:00p
15 We Heliacal setting of Capella; Moon at apogee VIR 5:30 8:31 2:43a 9:41p 5:45 8:16 2:49a 9:43p
16 Th 772g meteorite near Kilbourn, WI, 1911 LIB 5:30 8:31 3:14a 10:26p 5:45 8:16 3:22a 10:28p
17 Fr Venus enters Gemini; Venus ingresses Cancer LIB 5:31 8:32 3:48a 11:12p 5:46 8:17 3:58a 11:14p
18 Sa Moon, Saturn very close SCO 5:31 8:32 4:25a 11:59p 5:46 8:17 4:37a None
24. Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
1 st 12:58:25
8 th 12:59:40
15 th 13:01:07
22 nd 13:02:37
29 th 13:04:05
Day’s Length: 14h 55m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 37m
Day’s Length: 14h 59m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 38m
Day’s Length: 15h 01m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 39m
Day’s Length: 14h 26m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 14h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 14h 31m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
19 Su Father’s Day; Greek Orthodox Pentecost OPH 5:31 8:32 5:07a None 5:46 8:17 5:20a 12:02a
20 Mo Summer begins 6:34 pm; Sun highest SAG 5:31 8:32 8:35P 12:49a 5:46 8:17 8:26P 12:51a
21 Tu Heliacal setting of Pollux; Moon lowest SAG 5:31 8:33 9:24P 1:40a 5:46 8:18 9:15P 1:42a
22 We Mars highest; Hurricane Agnes, 1972 CAP 5:31 8:33 10:09P 2:32a 5:47 8:18 10:01P 2:34a
23 Th Typewriter patented, 1868 AQU 5:32 8:33 10:50P 3:23a 5:47 8:18 10:44P 3:25a
24 Fr St. John the Baptist (Midsummer Day) AQU 5:32 8:33 11:29P 4:14a 5:47 8:18 11:24P 4:17a
25 Sa Virginia ratified U.S. Constitution, 1788 AQU 5:32 8:33 None 5:05a 5:47 8:18 None 5:07a
25. Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 15h 00m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 39m
Day’s Length: 14h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
26 Su Christmas declared federal holiday, 1870 AQU 5:33 8:33 12:05A 5:56a 5:48 8:18 12:03A 5:58a
27 Mo Latest sunset in 2016; Moon ascending node PSC 5:33 8:33 12:40A 6:46a 5:48 8:18 12:40A 6:48a
28 Tu Treaty of Versailles signed, 1919 CET 5:33 8:33 1:15A 7:38a 5:48 8:18 1:18A 7:40a
29 We Mercury enters Gemini; Mars retrograde PSC 5:34 8:33 1:52A 8:30a 5:49 8:18 1:58A 8:33a
30 Th 1st publishing of Gone with the Wind, 1936 ARI 5:34 8:33 2:31A 9:25a 5:49 8:18 2:40A 9:27a
144
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
JUNE 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Fair skies. 4th-7th. Big thunderstorms
for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Thunderstorms also continue throughout
other parts of the area. 8th-11th.
Showers spreading east to the Atlantic
Coast. Could be a muddy track for the
Belmont Stakes. 12th-15th. Pleasant
weather. 16th-19th. Severe storms,
especially for the New England area.
20th-23rd. Fair and warm. 24th-27th.
Showers initially, then clearing skies.
28th-30th. Fair skies.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Some scattered heavy thunderstorms
develop. 4th-7th. Thunderstorms
continue over the Great Lakes,
followed by clearing. 8th-11th. Variable
cloudiness with a few showers
possible. 12th-15th. Dry and tranquil.
16th-19th. Thundery weather over the
Great Lakes. 20th-23rd. Increasingly
cloudy skies and warm. 24th-27th. Fair.
28th-30th. Fair weather continues.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Severe thunderstorms spreading
into the Mississippi Valley, some
storms could produce large hail, damaging
winds, even tornadic activity.
4th-7th. Big storms sweep across
much of region down to Gulf Coastal
States. 8th-11th. Becoming unsettled
for Mississippi Valley with showers.
Dry elsewhere. 12th-15th. Hazy skies.
16th-19th. Severe thunderstorms from
Mississippi Valley spreading eastward.
20th-23rd. Sunny to partly cloudy,
hazy, warm. 24th-27th. Showers, then
clearing. 28th-30th. Hazy sunshine.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Severe thunderstorm threat for
the Northern Rockies. Thunderstorms
Northern Plains with possible large
hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
4th-7th. Clearing. 8th-11th. Scattered
thunderstorms and warmer. 12th-15th.
Hot and dry. 16th-19th. Strong storms
initially, then clearing skies. 20th-23rd.
Scattered thunderstorms for Northern
Rockies, Northern Plains. 24th-27th.
Fair skies. 28th-30th. Violent thunderstorms
spread from Northern Rockies,
move east.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Severe thunderstorm threat;
some storms are capable of producing
large hail, damaging winds, and
tornadoes. 4th-7th. Clearing. 8th-11th.
Scattered thunderstorms and warmer.
12th-15th. Hot, dry. 16th-19th. Strong
thunderstorms, then skies turn clear.
20th-23rd. Scattered thunderstorms.
24th-27th. Sunny. 28th-30th. Some
hefty thunderstorms develop over the
Southern Rockies, then migrate east.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Clearing skies. 4th-7th. Fair
weather persists. 8th-11th. Fair skies
continue. 12th-15th. Showery weather
developing. 16th-19th. Cooler over
the West under a mix of clouds, sun.
20th-23rd. Changeable sky. 24th-27th.
Fair weather skies. 28th-30th. Mixed
clouds and sun.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Clearing skies. 4th-7th. Fair
weather. 8th-11th. Fair skies for most
areas. Pleasant weather for California.
12th-15th. Hot and dry for most areas.
16th-19th. Cooler conditions under a
mix of some clouds and sun. 20th-23rd.
Changeable skies. 24th-27th. Fair skies.
28th-30th. Mixed clouds and sun.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 145

A S T R O N O M Y
7th Month JULY 2016 31 Days
CANCER
June 20 to
July 21
LEO
July 22 to
August 21
THE MOWER WALKS WITH SCYTHE IN HAND, TO YONDER FIELD AWAY;
THE GRASS HE PROSTRATES OVER THE LAND; HOW SWEET THE NEW MADE HAY.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 4 th 7:01 am
£ First Quarter 11 th 8:52 pm
© Full Moon 19 th 6:57 pm
~ Last Quarter 26 th 7:00 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 13:04:28
8 th 13:05:40
15 th 13:06:32
22 nd 13:06:57
29 th 13:06:55
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
DATE ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS RISES SETS
RISES SETS
1 Fr Moon at perigee TAU 5:35 8:33 3:15A 10:22a 5:50 8:18 3:25A 10:24a
2 Sa Midpoint of 2016; Mercury at perihelion TAU 5:35 8:33 4:03A 11:20a 5:50 8:18 4:16A 11:23a
26. Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
3 Su Dog Days begin; Heliacal rise of Aldebaran TAU 5:36 8:33 4:57A 12:19p 5:51 8:18 5:11A 12:21p
4 Mo independence Day; Earth at aphelion GEM 5:36 8:32 8:36p 1:17p 5:51 8:18 8:27p 1:19p
5 Tu Heliacal rise of Uranus; Pluto closest to Earth CAN 5:37 8:32 9:23p 2:13p 5:52 8:18 9:16p 2:15p
6 We Mercury in upper conjunction CAN 5:38 8:32 10:05p 3:06p 5:52 8:17 9:59p 3:08p
7 Th Pluto in opposition LEO 5:38 8:31 10:42p 3:56p 5:53 8:17 10:38p 3:58p
8 Fr 1st issue of The Wall Street Journal, 1889 LEO 5:39 8:31 11:15p 4:43p 5:53 8:17 11:13p 4:45p
9 Sa Fourteenth Amendment ratified, 1868 VIR 5:40 8:31 11:46p 5:28p 5:54 8:17 11:46p 5:30p
27. Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
10 Su Venus enters Cancer; Moon descending node VIR 5:40 8:30 None 6:11p 5:54 8:16 None 6:13p
11 Mo E.B. White born, 1899 VIR 5:41 8:30 12:15a 6:54p 5:55 8:16 12:18a 6:56p
12 Tu Mercury enters Cancer; Mercury farthest north VIR 5:42 8:29 12:45a 7:37p 5:56 8:16 12:49a 7:39p
13 We Moon at apogee; Mercury ingresses Leo VIR 5:42 8:29 1:15a 8:21p 5:56 8:15 1:22a 8:23p
14 Th 1st major U.S. World’s Fair opened, 1853 LIB 5:43 8:28 1:48a 9:06p 5:57 8:15 1:57a 9:08p
15 Fr St. Swithin’s Day; Heliacal setting of Regulus LIB 5:44 8:28 2:23a 9:53p 5:57 8:14 2:34a 9:55p
16 Sa Uranus in western quadrature OPH 5:45 8:27 3:03a 10:42p 5:58 8:14 3:15a 10:44p
28. ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
17 Su Moon lowest; Disneyland opened, 1955 OPH 5:45 8:26 3:47a 11:32p 5:59 8:13 4:00a 11:34p
18 Mo Moon, Pluto very close SAG 5:46 8:26 4:37a None 5:59 8:13 4:51a None
19 Tu Fiberglass sutures used in surgery, 1939 SAG 5:47 8:25 5:32a 12:24a 6:00 8:12 5:45a 12:26a
20 We U.S. robot spacecraft landed on Mars, 1976 CAP 5:48 8:24 8:49P 1:17a 6:01 8:12 8:42P 1:19a
21 Th Ernest Hemingway born, 1899 CAP 5:49 8:24 9:29P 2:09a 6:02 8:11 9:24P 2:11a
22 Fr Wiley Post completed 1st solo flight, 1933 AQU 5:50 8:23 10:07P 3:01a 6:02 8:10 10:04P 3:03a
23 Sa Heliacal rise of Betelgeuse; Mercury enters Leo AQU 5:50 8:22 10:43P 3:53a 6:03 8:10 10:42P 3:55a
29. tenth Sunday after Pentecost
24 Su Fast of Tammuz; Moon ascending node CET 5:51 8:21 11:18P 4:44a 6:04 8:09 11:20P 4:46a
25 Mo Heliacal rise of Rigel PSC 5:52 8:20 11:54P 5:35a 6:04 8:08 11:59P 5:37a
26 Tu Venus enters Leo; Moon, Uranus very close PSC 5:53 8:19 None 6:27a 6:05 8:07 None 6:29a
27 We Moon at perigee CET 5:54 8:18 12:32A 7:20a 6:06 8:07 12:39A 7:22a
28 Th Saturn highest; Uranus highest TAU 5:55 8:17 1:13A 8:15a 6:07 8:06 1:23A 8:17a
29 Fr Uranus direct TAU 5:56 8:16 1:58A 9:11a 6:07 8:05 2:10A 9:13a
30 Sa Mercury ingresses Virgo; Henry Ford born, 1863 TAU 5:57 8:15 2:48A 10:08a 6:08 8:04 3:02A 10:11a
SUN
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
Day’s Length: 14h 57m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 38m
Day’s Length: 14h 50m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 37m
Day’s Length: 14h 41m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 35m
Day’s Length: 14h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 33m
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
SUN
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
Day’s Length: 14h 27m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 14h 22m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 27m
Day’s Length: 14h 14m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 26m
Day’s Length: 14h 05m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 24m
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
Day’s Length: 14h 17m
Day’s Length: 13h 55m
30. Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Astron. Twilight: 1h 31m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 23m
31 Su Moon highest; 1st U.S. patent issued, 1790 GEM 5:58 8:14 3:44A 11:05a 6:09 8:03 3:58A 11:08a
146
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
JULY 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Violent storms. 4th-7th. Mostly
fair. 8th-11th. Thunderstorms in New
England. Clearing Mid-Atlantic States.
12th-15th. Hefty thunderstorms push
to Atlantic Coast; could threaten the
MLB All-Star Game at Oriole Park at
Camden Yards. 16th-19th. More thunderstorms,
then skies clear. 20th-23rd.
More scattered storms and some may
have strong, gusty winds. 24th-27th.
Pleasant, then unsettled. 28th-31st.
Thunderstorms in New England, then
clearing. Gales along the coastal plain.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Thundery Great Lakes, south
to Kentucky, then clearing. 4th-7th.
Mostly fair. 8th-11th. Scattered thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Hefty thunderstorms
roll through Ohio Valley, Great
Lakes. 16th-19th. Fair, cooler weather.
20th-23rd. Scattered gusty thunderstorms.
24th-27th. Showers, thunderstorms
for Great Lakes, down to Ohio
Valley and Kentucky. 28th-31st. Thunderstorms
at first Ohio Valley, points
east, then clearing skies.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Severe storms sweep east,
then clearing skies. 4th-7th. Mostly
fair skies. 8th-11th. Continued mainly
fair. 12th-15th. Severe thunderstorms,
some capable of spawning tornadoes
for the Tennessee and Mississippi Valleys,
sweep eastward. 16th-19th. More
thunderstorms, then clearing skies,
cooler. 20th-23rd. Yet another round
of scattered thunderstorms, accompanied
by strong, gusty winds. 24th-27th.
Pleasant, then skies becoming unsettled.
Dangerous thunderstorms sweep
east into Mississippi Valley. 28th-31st.
Gales along coastal plain.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Fair Northern Plains, points
westward. 4th-7th. Unsettled skies.
8th-11th. Continued unsettled most
areas. 12th-15th. Dangerous storms
Northern Rockies, Northern Plains,
then slow clearing. 16th-19th. Fair,
cooler. 20th-23rd. Scattered storms
in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri; strong,
gusty winds. 24th-27th. Showers persist.
28th-31st. Fair skies.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Fair Southern Plains, points
west, tropical storm threat along Gulf
Coast. 4th-7th. Becoming unsettled.
8th-11th. Continued unsettled. Monsoonal
rains for New Mexico. 12th-15th.
Severe storms, Texas and points east
through Arkansas, Louisiana. Potent
storm threat parts of Southern Rockies,
Southern Plains, points eastward,
then slowly clearing. 16th-19th. Fair,
cooler. 20th-23rd. Scattered thunderstorms
especially Arkansas, Louisiana;
gusty winds. 24th-27th. Showers persist.
Monsoonal showers New Mexico.
28th-31st. Fair weather.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Unsettled for the
4th. 8th-11th. Mostly fair and warm-tohot.
12th-15th. Unsettled. 16th-19th.
Warm-to-hot, then scattered showers.
20th-23rd. Fair. 24th-27th. Unsettled,
some showers, then clearing. 28th-31st.
Warm-to-hot, risk of a renegade shower.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair. 4th-7th. Clouds, sun, risk
of showers or thunderstorm. 8th-11th.
Hot, dry. 12th-15th. Unsettled. Variable
clouds but dry. 16th-19th. Hot. Squally
Arizona. 20th-23rd. Fair. 24th-27th.
Unsettled West Coast. 28th-31st. Hot,
showers and thunderstorms for Arizona.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 147

A S T R O N O M Y
8th Month AUGUST 2016 31 Days
LEO
July 22 to
August 21
VIRGO
August 22 to
September 21
DATE
THE GATHERING CLOUDS BESPREAD THE SKY, AND GENTLE SHOWERS DESCEND;
THE RIPENING FRUITS WE JUST DESCRY, AS SUMMER IS AT END.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 2 nd 4:45 pm
£ First Quarter 10 th 2:21 pm
© Full Moon 18 th 5:27 am
~ Last Quarter 24 th 11:41 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 13:06:46
8 th 13:06:02
15 th 13:04:49
22 nd 13:03:11
29 th 13:01:12
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Mo Mars enters Scorpius; Venus farthest north GEM 5:59 8:13 4:43A 12:01p 6:10 8:02 4:57A 12:03p
2 Tu Mars ingresses Sagittarius CAN 6:00 8:12 5:45A 12:55p 6:10 8:02 5:57A 12:57p
3 We Acronycal rise of Venus; Heliacal rise of Pollux LEO 6:00 8:11 8:38p 1:46p 6:11 8:01 8:33p 1:48p
4 Th President Barack Obama born, 1961 LEO 6:01 8:10 9:13p 2:35p 6:12 8:00 9:10p 2:37p
5 Fr Venus ingresses Virgo LEO 6:02 8:09 9:45p 3:21p 6:13 7:59 9:45p 3:23p
6 Sa Midpoint of summer; Moon descending node VIR 6:03 8:08 10:16p 4:05p 6:13 7:58 10:17p 4:07p
31. twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
7 Su Jupiter enters Virgo VIR 6:04 8:06 10:46p 4:49p 6:14 7:57 10:49p 4:51p
8 Mo Dustin Hoffman born, 1937 VIR 6:05 8:05 11:16p 5:32p 6:15 7:56 11:22p 5:34p
9 Tu Moon at apogee; Betty Boop debuted, 1930 LIB 6:06 8:04 11:47p 6:15p 6:16 7:55 11:55p 6:17p
10 We Smithsonian Institution chartered, 1846 LIB 6:07 8:03 None 6:59p 6:16 7:54 None 7:01p
11 Th Dog Days end; Moon, Mars close LIB 6:08 8:01 12:21a 7:45p 6:17 7:52 12:31a 7:47p
12 Fr IBM unveiled its 1st PC, 1981 SCO 6:09 8:00 12:59a 8:33p 6:18 7:51 1:10a 8:35p
13 Sa Moon lowest; Saturn retrograde OPH 6:10 7:59 1:40a 9:22p 6:19 7:50 1:53a 9:24p
32. thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
14 Su Fast of Av; V. J. Day; Heliacal rise of Sirius SAG 6:11 7:58 2:27a 10:13p 6:19 7:49 2:41a 10:15p
15 Mo Assumption B.V.M.; Mercury at aphelion SAG 6:12 7:56 3:19a 11:06p 6:20 7:48 3:33a 11:08p
16 Tu Mercury at max. elongation east SAG 6:13 7:55 4:17a 11:59p 6:21 7:47 4:30a None
17 We Cat Nights begin CAP 6:14 7:53 5:19a None 6:22 7:46 5:31a 12:01a
18 Th Shelley Winters born, 1920 AQU 6:15 7:52 8:05P 12:52a 6:22 7:44 8:01P 12:54a
19 Fr Mercury descending node AQU 6:16 7:51 8:42P 1:45a 6:23 7:43 8:41P 1:47a
20 Sa Mars enters Ophiucus; Mercury enters Virgo PSC 6:17 7:49 9:19P 2:37a 6:24 7:42 9:20P 2:40a
33. Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 14h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 13h 47m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 26m
Day’s Length: 13h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 25m
Day’s Length: 13h 43m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 13h 30m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 13h 16m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 18m
21 Su Moon at perigee; Princess Margaret born, 1930 PSC 6:18 7:48 9:55P 3:30a 6:25 7:41 9:59P 3:32a
22 Mo Mona Lisa stolen from Louvre, 1911 CET 6:19 7:46 10:33P 4:23a 6:25 7:39 10:40P 4:25a
23 Tu Oliver Hazard Perry born, 1785 ARI 6:19 7:45 11:13P 5:17a 6:26 7:38 11:23P 5:19a
24 We Venus enters Virgo TAU 6:20 7:43 11:57P 6:11a 6:27 7:37 None 6:13a
25 Th Heliacal setting of Jupiter TAU 6:21 7:42 None 7:07a 6:28 7:35 12:09A 7:09a
26 Fr Mars enters Scorpius TAU 6:22 7:40 12:45A 8:03a 6:28 7:34 12:58A 8:05a
27 Sa Moon highest; Lyndon B. Johnson born, 1908 ORI 6:23 7:39 1:38A 8:59a 6:29 7:33 1:52A 9:01a
34. Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 13h 13m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 23m
Day’s Length: 13h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 17m
28 Su Emmett Till murdered, 1955 GEM 6:24 7:37 2:35A 9:54a 6:30 7:32 2:48A 9:56a
29 Mo Venus ingresses Libra CAN 6:25 7:36 3:35A 10:48a 6:31 7:30 3:47A 10:50a
30 Tu Mercury direct CAN 6:26 7:34 4:36A 11:39a 6:31 7:29 4:47A 11:41a
31 We Venus descending node LEO 6:27 7:32 5:37A 12:28p 6:32 7:27 5:46A 12:30p
148
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
AUGUST 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Hot and sultry for the East,
then showers and thundery weather.
4th-7th. Clearing skies, cooler over
the Northeast, then turning unsettled.
8th-11th. Showers and gusty
winds. 12th-15th. A hurricane threat
along Atlantic Coast, otherwise clearing
skies. 16th-19th. Unsettled; gusty
winds. 20th-23rd. Pleasant, then turning
unsettled. 24th-27th. Thunderstorms
through Mid-Atlantic States;
gales for New England. 28th-31st. Hot,
with the risk of a shower. Temps could
approach 100°F in many areas.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Showery/thundery. 4th-7th.
Unsettled, cooler for the Great Lakes
and Ohio Valley. 8th-11th. Scattered
showers. 12th-15th. Sunny to partly
cloudy skies, pleasant for the Great
Lakes, Ohio Valley. 16th-19th. Unsettled
with gusty winds Great Lakes and
Ohio Valley. 20th-23rd. Skies continue
unsettled. 24th-27th. Variable cloudiness.
28th-31st. Scattered showers,
very warm, muggy.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Hot sultry, then showery and
thundery weather. 4th-7th. Hot, sticky,
scattered showers, storms. 8th-11th.
Scattered storms and muggy. Gusty
winds in Mississippi Valley. 12th-15th.
Continued humid with more scattered
showers and thunderstorms. A
hurricane threat along the Atlantic
Coast. 16th-19th. Scattered thunderstorms.
20th-23rd. Pleasant, then
unsettled skies. 24th-27th. Hazy and
humid with scattered thunderstorms.
28th-31st. Hot, steamy temperatures.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Hot across Northern Plains
with a few “pop-up” thunderstorms.
4th-7th. Fair and hot Northern Plains;
some possible thunderstorms. 8th-11th.
Thunderstorms over Northern Rockies,
spreading east. 12th-15th. Mostly
sunny skies. 16th-19th. Clear skies,
pleasant. 20th-23rd. Stormy Northern
Rockies east through Northern
Plains, points east. 24th-27th. Mostly
fair and cooler. 28th-31st. Scattered
showers, then fair. Thunderstorms
over Northern Plains.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Hot for the Plains with a few
isolated thunderstorms. 4th-7th. Fair,
hot, a few thunderstorms. Monsoonal
rains for New Mexico. 8th-11th. More
scattered storms. A hurricane threat
for Gulf Coast. 12th-15th. Fair skies.
16th-19th. Sunny. 20th-23rd. Stormy
weather spreads in from the West.
24th-27th. Clearing, cooler. 28th-31st.
A few showers/thunderstorms, then
clearing. Storms for Southern Plains.
More monsoonal rains New Mexico. A
tropical storm threat along Gulf Coast.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Skies are unsettled. 4th-7th.
Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms.
8th-11th. Clearing elsewhere.
12th-15th. Sun fades, unsettled Washington,
Oregon, and Idaho. 16th-19th.
Pleasant. 20th-23rd. Gales for Pacific
Coast. 24th-27th. Mostly fair, cooler.
28th-31st. Unsettled West Coast.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Unsettled across the Pacific
States and South Plateau. 4th-7th. Scattered
showers and a few thunderstorms.
Monsoonal rains for Arizona. 8th-11th.
Clearing skies. 12th-15th. Mostly sunny
skies. 16th-19th. Pleasant. 20th-23rd.
Gales on West Coast. 24th-27th. Mostly
fair, cooler. 28th-31st. Unsettled West
Coast. Monsoonal showers for Arizona.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 149

A S T R O N O M Y
9th Month SEPTEMBER 2016 30 Days
VIRGO
August 22 to
September 21
LIBRA
September 22 to
October 21
DATE
NOW AUTUMN’S GOLDEN STORES BEHOLD, WITH FRUIT EACH TREE IS CROWNED;
PEACHES IN SUITS OF RED OR GOLD, EACH TWIG BOWS TOWARD THE GROUND.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
¢ New Moon 1 st 5:03 am
£ First Quarter 9 th 7:49 am
© Full Moon 16 th 3:05 pm
~ Last Quarter 23 rd 5:56 am
¢ New Moon 30 th 8:11 pm
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 13:00:16
8 th 12:57:55
15 th 12:55:27
22 nd 12:52:57
29 th 12:50:34
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Th Saturn in eastern quadrature LEO 6:28 7:31 7:45p 1:15p 6:33 7:26 7:43p 1:17p
2 Fr Heliacal setting of Spica; Mars enters Ophiucus VIR 6:29 7:29 8:16p 2:00p 6:34 7:25 8:16p 2:02p
3 Sa Moon descending node VIR 6:30 7:28 8:46p 2:44p 6:34 7:23 8:49p 2:45p
35. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
4 Su Moon, Spica close; Mercury farthest south VIR 6:31 7:26 9:16p 3:27p 6:35 7:22 9:21p 3:29p
5 Mo labor Day; Jesse James born, 1847 VIR 6:32 7:24 9:47p 4:10p 6:36 7:21 9:54p 4:12p
6 Tu Moon at apogee LIB 6:33 7:23 10:20p 4:54p 6:36 7:19 10:29p 4:56p
7 We Mercury enters Leo LIB 6:34 7:21 10:55p 5:39p 6:37 7:18 11:06p 5:41p
8 Th Buddy Holly born, 1936 OPH 6:35 7:20 11:35p 6:25p 6:38 7:16 11:47p 6:27p
9 Fr Jupiter ingresses Libra OPH 6:36 7:18 None 7:13p 6:39 7:15 None 7:15p
10 Sa Traditional peak hurricane season OPH 6:36 7:16 12:19a 8:02p 6:39 7:13 12:32a 8:05p
36. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
11 Su Mercury ascending node SAG 6:37 7:15 1:07a 8:53p 6:40 7:12 1:21a 8:55p
12 Mo Heliacal rise of Regulus SAG 6:38 7:13 2:02a 9:45p 6:41 7:11 2:15a 9:47p
13 Tu Mars in eastern quadrature CAP 6:39 7:11 3:01a 10:38p 6:42 7:09 3:13a 10:40p
14 We Holy Cross Day AQU 6:40 7:10 4:04a 11:31p 6:42 7:08 4:15a 11:33p
15 Th Darwin reached Galapagos Islands, 1835 AQU 6:41 7:08 5:11a None 6:43 7:06 5:19a None
16 Fr San Felipe Hurricane, 1928 AQU 6:42 7:06 6:20a 12:25a 6:44 7:05 6:26a 12:27a
17 Sa Citizenship Day; Moon ascending node CET 6:43 7:05 7:51P 1:18a 6:44 7:03 7:54P 1:21a
37. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 12h 55m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 12h 37m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 12h 19m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 12h 47m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
Day’s Length: 12h 32m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 12h 17m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
18 Su Moon at perigee; Ray Geiger, Philom., born, 1910 PSC 6:44 7:03 8:30P 2:13a 6:45 7:02 8:36P 2:15a
19 Mo President James Garfield died, 1881 ARI 6:45 7:01 9:11P 3:08a 6:46 7:01 9:19P 3:10a
20 Tu Dr. Joyce Brothers born, 1928 TAU 6:46 7:00 9:54P 4:04a 6:47 6:59 10:05P 4:06a
21 We Ember Day; Mars enters Sagittarius TAU 6:47 6:58 10:42P 5:01a 6:47 6:58 10:55P 5:03a
22 Th Autumn begins 10:21 am; Mercury retrograde TAU 6:48 6:56 11:34P 5:58a 6:48 6:56 11:48P 6:00a
23 Fr Ember Day; Moon, Betelgeuse conjunct TAU 6:49 6:55 None 6:55a 6:49 6:55 None 6:57a
24 Sa Ember Day; Heliacal rise of Mercury GEM 6:50 6:53 12:30A 7:50a 6:50 6:53 12:44A 7:53a
38. nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 12h 01m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 12h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
25 Su Gold Star Mother’s Day; Moon, Procyon conjunct GEM 6:51 6:52 1:29A 8:44a 6:50 6:52 1:42A 8:46a
26 Mo Jupiter in conjunction; Pluto retrograde CAN 6:52 6:50 2:29A 9:35a 6:51 6:50 2:40A 9:37a
27 Tu Mars ingresses Capricorn LEO 6:53 6:48 3:29A 10:24a 6:52 6:49 3:39A 10:26a
28 We Mercury at perihelion LEO 6:54 6:47 4:29A 11:11a 6:53 6:48 4:36A 11:13a
29 Th Michaelmas Day; Lunar occultation of Mercury LEO 6:55 6:45 5:28A 11:56a 6:53 6:46 5:33A 11:58a
30 Fr Moon descending node VIR 6:56 6:43 6:26A 12:40p 6:54 6:45 6:29A 12:42p
150
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
SEPTEMBER 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Continued hot. 4th-7th. Some
severe thunderstorms. 8th-11th. Pleasant
weather into the New England area.
Humid with hit-or-miss showers Middle
Atlantic States. 12th-15th. Thunderstorms,
then turning fair. 16th-19th.
Pleasant initially, then thunderstorms
developing. 20th-23rd. Severe thunderstorms
with “drownpours” and possible
damaging winds. 24th-27th. Fair
skies into New England, then becoming
unsettled. 28th-30th. Fair weather.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Pleasant skies. 4th-7th. Violent
thunderstorms Kentucky north
through Great Lakes area. 8th-11th.
Pleasant along the Ohio Valley, points
north. 12th-15th. Clearing skies for
most sections. 16th-19th. Damaging
storms Midwest; especially potent for
Kentucky. 20th-23rd. Rainy weather
from Great Lakes, points south, tapering
off, ending by the 23rd. 24th-27th.
Fair skies for Ohio Valley, then skies
becoming unsettled. 28th-30th. Fair,
dry with pleasant temperatures.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Continued hot. 4th-7th. Violent
storms through Mississippi Valley.
8th-11th. Hot, humid with hit-or-miss
showers, Carolinas, Georgia, into Florida.
12th-15th. Thunderstorms, then
turning fair. A tropical cyclone develops
east of Florida, then heads out to
sea. 16th-19th. Pleasant initially, then
big thunderstorms develop. 20th-23rd.
Gales along Gulf, Atlantic Coasts; scattered
thunderstorms. 24th-27th. More
thunderstorms. Showery, breezy for
the Mississippi Valley. 28th-30th. Sultry
with a continued risk of showers,
thunderstorms.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Pleasant. 4th-7th. Scattered
thunderstorms. 8th-11th. Clear skies.
12th-15th. Mainly fair. 16th-19th. Violent
thunderstorms. 20th-23rd. Rain,
then clearing skies and much cooler
temperatures. 24th-27th. Changeable
skies, with some sun, clouds and a
risk of passing showers. 28th-30th.
Turning fair, pleasant.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Tranquil. 4th-7th. Scattered
thunderstorms. 8th-11th. Fair skies.
12th-15th. Mostly sunny. 16th-19th.
Some heavy thunderstorms develop.
20th-23rd. Rainy skies, followed by
decreasing clouds. 24th-27th. Variable
cloudiness with an ongoing risk
of a shower. A tropical storm threat
along Gulf Coast. 28th-30th. Sunshine,
comfortably warm.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Fair, then turning unsettled.
4th-7th. Clearing skies. 8th-11th. The
clear skies persist. 12th-15th. Fair
weather continues. 16th-19th. Gales
along the Pacific Coast. 20th-23rd.
Fair skies, turning cooler. 24th-27th.
Unsettled for Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
28th-30th. More unsettled weather.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Sunny on the West Coast,
then skies turning unsettled. 4th-7th.
Mixed sun, clouds with just a risk of a
passing shower or two. 8th-11th. Clear
skies, dry weather over the Southwest.
12th-15th. Fair skies. 16th-19th. Gales
along Pacific Coast. 20th-23rd. Fair
skies, turning cooler from the West
Coast and points eastward. 24th-27th.
Sunny to partly cloudy. 28th-30th.
Becoming unsettled.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 151

A S T R O N O M Y
10th Month OCTOBER 2016 31 Days
LIBRA
September 22 to
October 21
SCORPIO
October 22 to
November 20
AND NOW THE FROST IS SEEN IN MORN, OVERSPREADING FIELDS WITH WHITE;
THE FARMER GATHERS IN HIS CORN, WITH PLEASURE AND DELIGHT.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
£ First Quarter 9 th 12:33 am
© Full Moon 16 th 12:23 am
~ Last Quarter 22 nd 3:14 pm
¢ New Moon 30 th 1:38 pm
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EDT)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CDT)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
1 st 12:49:56
8 th 12:47:51
15 th 12:46:07
22 nd 12:44:51
Subtract 1 hour for CDT, 2 hours for MDT,
and 3 hours for PDT.
29 th 12:44:10
SUN SUN
EARLIEST MOON’S
SUN SUN
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
DATE ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS RISES SETS MOONSET PASSAGE RISES SETS MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Sa 1st Mississippi River steamboat, 1911 VIR 6:57 6:42 7:17p 1:23p 6:55 6:43 7:21p 1:25p
39. twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Su Mercury enters Virgo; Mars farthest south VIR 6:57 6:40 7:48p 2:06p 6:56 6:42 7:54p 2:08p
3 Mo Rosh Hashanah (New Year 5777) LIB 6:58 6:39 8:20p 2:50p 6:56 6:41 8:28p 2:52p
4 Tu Moon at apogee LIB 6:59 6:37 8:54p 3:34p 6:57 6:39 9:04p 3:36p
5 We Fast of Gedaliah; Ray Kroc born, 1902 OPH 7:00 6:35 9:32p 4:20p 6:58 6:38 9:43p 4:22p
6 Th Jane Eyre 1st published in London, 1847 OPH 7:01 6:34 10:13p 5:07p 6:59 6:36 10:26p 5:09p
7 Fr Pluto in eastern quadrature; Moon lowest SAG 7:02 6:32 10:59p 5:55p 7:00 6:35 11:13p 5:57p
8 Sa Moon, Pluto very close; Mercury farthest north SAG 7:04 6:31 11:50p 6:44p 7:00 6:34 None 6:46p
40. twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
9 Su Fire Prevention Day; Cosmic setting of Mercury SAG 7:05 6:29 None 7:34p 7:01 6:32 12:03a 7:36p
10 Mo columbus Day; U.S. Naval Academy est., 1845 SAG 7:06 6:27 12:45a 8:25p 7:02 6:31 12:58a 8:27p
11 Tu “Saturday Night Live” debuted, 1975 CAP 7:07 6:26 1:45a 9:17p 7:03 6:30 1:57a 9:19p
12 We Yom Kippur; Columbus Day (traditional) CAP 7:08 6:24 2:49a 10:09p 7:04 6:28 2:59a 10:11p
13 Th Lunar occultation of Neptune AQU 7:09 6:23 3:56a 11:02p 7:04 6:27 4:03a 11:04p
14 Fr Uranus closest to Earth; Moon ascending node PSC 7:10 6:21 5:06a 11:56p 7:05 6:26 5:10a 11:58p
15 Sa Uranus in opposition; Moon, Uranus very close CET 7:11 6:20 6:17a None 7:06 6:25 6:19a None
41. twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
16 Su Moon at perigee CET 7:12 6:18 7:02P 12:52a 7:07 6:23 7:09P 12:54a
17 Mo Succot; Venus enters Scorpius ARI 7:13 6:17 7:46P 1:49a 7:08 6:22 7:56P 1:51a
18 Tu Venus ingresses Sagittarius TAU 7:14 6:16 8:33P 2:47a 7:09 6:21 8:45P 2:50a
19 We Lunar occultation of Aldebaran TAU 7:15 6:14 9:26P 3:47a 7:10 6:20 9:39P 3:49a
20 Th John Dewey born, 1859 GEM 7:16 6:13 10:22P 4:46a 7:10 6:18 10:36P 4:49a
21 Fr Heliacal rise of Arcturus; Moon highest GEM 7:17 6:11 11:22P 5:44a 7:11 6:17 11:35P 5:47a
22 Sa Moon, Pollux conjunct GEM 7:18 6:10 None 6:40a 7:12 6:16 None 6:42a
42. twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 11h 43m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 24m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 11h 07m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
Day’s Length: 10h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
Day’s Length: 11h 46m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 31m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 16m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 15m
Day’s Length: 11h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 16m
23 Su Heliacal setting of Antares CAN 7:19 6:09 12:22A 7:33a 7:13 6:15 12:35A 7:35a
24 Mo United Nations Day; Venus enters Ophiucus LEO 7:20 6:07 1:23A 8:22a 7:14 6:14 1:33A 8:24a
25 Tu Simchat Torah LEO 7:22 6:06 2:23A 9:10a 7:15 6:13 2:31A 9:12a
26 We 1st electric generator Hoover Dam, 1936 LEO 7:23 6:05 3:22A 9:55a 7:16 6:12 3:28A 9:57a
27 Th Mercury in upper conjunction VIR 7:24 6:03 4:20A 10:39a 7:17 6:11 4:23A 10:40a
28 Fr Moon, Jupiter very close VIR 7:25 6:02 5:17A 11:22a 7:18 6:09 5:18A 11:23a
29 Sa Mercury enters Libra; Mars at perihelion VIR 7:26 6:01 6:13A 12:04p 7:18 6:08 6:12A 12:06p
43. twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Day’s Length: 10h 32m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 10h 48m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 17m
30 Su 1st successful kidney transplant, 1960 VIR 7:27 6:00 7:09A 12:48p 7:19 6:07 7:06A 12:50p
31 Mo Halloween; Moon at apogee; Venus at aphelion LIB 7:28 5:58 6:54p 1:32p 7:20 6:06 7:04p 1:34p
152
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
OCTOBER 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Thunderstorms sweep east into
the New England area. 4th-7th. Clear
skies, unseasonably chilly. 8th-11th.
Unsettled with rain. 12th-15th. Pleasantly
dry weather. 16th-19th. Gusty
winds, heavy downpours. 20th-23rd.
Fair skies but windy. 24th-27th. Scattered
showers, then becoming fair.
28th-31st. Turning stormy over Atlantic
Seaboard with heavy rains, widespread
flooding; some flakes of wet
snow could even mix in over the higher
elevations of New England.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Thunderstorms move across
the Great Lakes. 4th-7th. Fair skies.
8th-11th. Breezy and showery conditions.
12th-15th. Fair, then increasingly
cloudy skies. 16th-19th. Mixed
sun, clouds. 20th-23rd. Very unsettled
conditions. 24th-27th. Fair skies.
28th-31st. Stormy Ohio Valley, Great
Lakes, some wet snow could mix in.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Thunderstorms spread east to
Mississippi Valley. 4th-7th. Fair skies.
8th-11th. Unsettled with rain. Gusty
winds Mississippi Valley. 12th-15th.
Pleasant weather. Fair, then increasingly
cloudy skies. 16th-19th. Stormy
weather, especially over Gulf Coastal
States. 20th-23rd. Very unsettled over
the Mississippi Valley. Increasingly
cloudy elsewhere, windy. 24th-27th.
Scattered showers, then becoming
fair. 28th-31st. Turning stormy.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Thunderstorms roam across
Northern Plains. 4th-7th. Fair, colder
weather. 8th-11th. Gusty winds into
the Northern Plains States. 12th-15th.
Fair initially, then turning very unsettled.
16th-19th. Clearing skies across
the Northern Plains States. 20th-23rd.
Very unsettled in the Northern Plains,
points east. 24th-27th. Pleasant conditions.
28th-31st. Fair, turning colder
Rocky Mountains. Farther to east,
stormy for Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Some scattered thunderstorms.
4th-7th. A colder surge of air moves
in; dry. 8th-11th. Breezy but dry conditions.
12th-15th. Increasingly cloudy
with some heavy rains. 16th-19th. Skies
clear. 20th-23rd. Clouds, rains return.
24th-27th. Pleasantly dry. 28th-31st.
Turning much colder with increasingly
cloudy skies, with stormy conditions
for Arkansas, Louisiana.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Clearing in Washington, Oregon
and Idaho. 4th-7th. Fair, chillier.
8th-11th. Gusty winds Pacific Coast.
12th-15th. Fair skies initially, then turning
very unsettled. 16th-19th. Clearing.
20th-23rd. Some fine, dry weather.
24th-27th. Fair skies, then becoming
stormy. 28th-31st. Fair skies, turning
chillier.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Rain showers along the South
Plateau. 4th-7th. Fair, colder weather.
8th-11th. Gusty winds Pacific Coast.
12th-15th. Fair initially for West Coast,
points east, then turning very unsettled.
Dust storms over Southwest. 16th-19th.
Clearing skies West Coast. 20th-23rd.
Fine weather West Coast. 24th-27th. Fair
skies West Coast, then becoming stormy.
28th-31st. Fair skies, then turning colder.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 153

A S T R O N O M Y
11th Month NOVEMBER 2016 30 Days
SCORPIO
October 22 to
November 20
SAGITTARIUS
November 21 to
December 20
DATE
TIME ON HIS WING FAST HASTES AWAY, AND CHILLS EACH WARM SUCCEED;
TO CAPRICORN SOL HASTES EACH DAY, SO NIGHTS THE DAY EXCEED.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
£ First Quarter 7 th 2:51 pm
© Full Moon 14 th 8:52 am
~ Last Quarter 21 st 3:33 am
¢ New Moon 29 th 7:18 am
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
1 st 12:44:04
8 th 11:44:17
15 th 11:45:11
22 nd 11:46:47
29 th 11:49:01
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Tu All Saints’ Day SCO 7:29 5:57 7:30p 2:17p 7:21 6:05 7:42p 2:19p
2 We All Souls’ Day; Pluto lowest OPH 7:31 5:56 8:10p 3:03p 7:22 6:04 8:23p 3:05p
3 Th U.S. Income Tax introduced, 1913 SAG 7:32 5:55 8:55p 3:51p 7:23 6:04 9:08p 3:53p
4 Fr Moon lowest SAG 7:33 5:54 9:43p 4:39p 7:24 6:03 9:57p 4:41p
5 Sa Heliacal rise of Spica; Guy Fawkes arrested, 1605 SAG 7:34 5:53 10:36p 5:28p 7:25 6:02 10:49p 5:30p
44. twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
6 Su Daylight Saving Time ends CAP 6:35 4:52 10:33p 5:18p 6:26 5:01 10:45p 5:20p
7 Mo 1st airfreight shipment, 1910 AQU 6:36 4:51 11:33p 6:07p 6:27 5:00 11:43p 6:10p
8 Tu Election Day; Mars enters Capricornus CAP 6:37 4:50 None 6:58p 6:28 4:59 None 7:00p
9 We Mars ingresses Aquarius AQU 6:39 4:49 12:37a 7:48p 6:29 4:58 12:45a 7:50p
10 Th Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald, 1975 AQU 6:40 4:48 1:43a 8:40p 6:30 4:58 1:48a 8:42p
11 Fr Veterans Day; Mercury enters Scorpius PSC 6:41 4:47 2:51a 9:33p 6:31 4:57 2:54a 9:36p
12 Sa Heliacal setting of Arcturus PSC 6:42 4:46 4:02a 10:29p 6:32 4:56 4:03a 10:31p
45. twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
13 Su Vietnam War Memorial dedicated, 1982 CET 6:43 4:45 5:15a 11:27p 6:33 4:56 5:13a 11:30p
14 Mo Heliacal setting of Saturn; Moon at perigee ARI 6:44 4:44 6:29a None 6:34 4:55 6:24a None
15 Tu 1st modern Olympics, 1859 TAU 6:45 4:44 6:10P 12:27a 6:35 4:54 6:23P 12:30a
16 We Oklahoma admitted as 46th state, 1907 ORI 6:47 4:43 7:07P 1:29a 6:36 4:54 7:21P 1:31a
17 Th Mercury enters Ophiucus; Moon highest GEM 6:48 4:42 8:07P 2:30a 6:37 4:53 8:21P 2:32a
18 Fr Moon, Castor conjunct; Neptune lowest CAN 6:49 4:41 9:10P 3:29a 6:38 4:53 9:23P 3:31a
19 Sa Neptune retrograde; Gettysburg Address, 1863 CAN 6:50 4:41 10:13P 4:25a 6:39 4:52 10:24P 4:27a
46. christ the King Sunday
Day’s Length: 10h 17m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 23m
Day’s Length: 10h 02m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 25m
Day’s Length: 9h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 26m
Day’s Length: 10h 35m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 18m
Day’s Length: 10h 23m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 19m
Day’s Length: 10h 12m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 20m
20 Su 1st commercial teletype service, 1931 LEO 6:51 4:40 11:15P 5:18a 6:40 4:52 11:24P 5:20a
21 Mo Moon, Regulus very close LEO 6:52 4:39 None 6:07a 6:41 4:51 None 6:09a
22 Tu Venus farthest south LEO 6:53 4:39 12:15A 6:53a 6:41 4:51 12:22A 6:55a
23 We 1st jukebox, 1889 VIR 6:54 4:38 1:14A 7:38a 6:42 4:50 1:18A 7:39a
24 Th thanksgiving Day; Heliacal rise of Vega VIR 6:56 4:38 2:11A 8:21a 6:43 4:50 2:13A 8:23a
25 Fr Andrew Carnegie born, 1835 VIR 6:57 4:37 3:07A 9:03a 6:44 4:50 3:07A 9:05a
26 Sa Notre Dame founded, 1842 VIR 6:58 4:37 4:03A 9:46a 6:45 4:49 4:01A 9:48a
47. First Sunday of advent
Day’s Length: 9h 38m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 27m
Day’s Length: 10h 03m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 21m
27 Su Moon at apogee; Anders Celsius born, 1701 LIB 6:59 4:37 4:59A 10:30a 6:46 4:49 4:55A 10:32a
28 Mo Grand Ole Opry made radio debut, 1925 LIB 7:00 4:36 5:55A 11:15a 6:47 4:49 5:48A 11:16a
29 Tu Central New England’s worst ice storm, 1921 OPH 7:01 4:36 6:49A 12:01p 6:48 4:49 6:41A 12:03p
30 We Hurricane season ends; St. Andrew OPH 7:02 4:36 5:52p 12:48p 6:49 4:49 6:05p 12:50p
154
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
NOVEMBER 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Clearing skies, colder. 4th-7th.
Unsettled conditions. Runners in New
York’s ING Marathon may need an
umbrella. 8th-11th. Pleasant weather.
12th-15th. Heavy showers, few thunderstorms;
gale-force winds Middle
Atlantic Coast. Squally across Northeast
States; some snow possible in
New England. 16th-19th. Windy, cold.
20th-23rd. Unsettled, with some wet
snow north and/or rain. 24th-27th. Fair
at first, then very unsettled with gusty
winds, showers. 28th-30th. Clearing
skies and turning progressively colder.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Fair and unseasonably cold.
4th-7th. Unsettled. 8th-11th. Sun, followed
by increasing clouds. 12th-15th.
Squalls Ohio Valley, points eastward.
16th-19th. Cloudy, blustery with rain/
snow showers. 20th-23rd. More clouds
than sun. A possible shower or flurry.
24th-27th. Fair at first, then turning
very unsettled with squalls from Ohio
Valley, points east. 28th-30th. Considerable
cloudiness; increasingly windy
with scattered rain and snow showers.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Clearing, but colder. Frosts
penetrate into the Southland. 4th-7th.
Unsettled and milder. 8th-11th. Pleasant
weather. 12th-15th. Heavy showers,
a few thunderstorms; gale-force
winds gust to over 40 M.P.H. 16th-19th.
Gusty winds and unseasonably cold.
Mostly fair Mississippi River Valley,
then becoming overcast and blustery.
20th-23rd. Fair in Mississippi Valley,
points westward. Farther east, unsettled
with rain. 24th-27th. Gusty winds
and showery. 28th-30th. Gradually
clearing skies, then turning progressively
colder.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Chilly for the Northern Plains.
4th-7th. Unsettled. 8th-11th. Fair, then
stormy with snow possible. 12th-15th.
Unsettled Northern Plains, points west.
16th-19th. Fair, then overcast, blustery.
20th-23rd. Fair skies. 24th-27th. Very
unsettled with squally weather over
Northern Rockies, Northern Plains as
well as points east, then slowly clearing.
28th-30th. Turning very cold.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Unseasonably cool Southern
Plains, southward to Mexican border.
4th-7th. Showery. 8th-11th. Fair, then
becoming stormy with some rain or
mixed rain and wet snow. 12th-15th.
More unsettled skies. 16th-19th. Tranquil,
then cloudy, windy. 20th-23rd. Dry,
clear skies. 24th-27th. Squally conditions,
then gradual clearing. 28th-30th.
Temperatures fall precipitously.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Chilly, dry. 4th-7th. Showery,
then skies clear. 8th-11th. Fair, then
stormy with rain and (over the Cascade
Range) snow possible. 12th-15th.
Continued unsettled for Pacific Coast.
16th-19th. Fair. 20th-23rd. Becoming
stormy in Washington, Oregon, Idaho.
24th-27th. Still unsettled, then slowly
clearing. 28th-30th. Turning chillier.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Chilly West Coast. 4th-7th.
Mixed clouds and sun with possible
showers. 8th-11th. Fair, then stormy
with rain and (over the Sierra Nevadas)
some snow possible. 12th-15th.
Unsettled Pacific Coast. Light snow on
South Plateau. 16th-19th. Mostly fair.
20th-23rd. Fair skies. 24th-27th. Very
unsettled in West, then slowly clearing.
28th-30th. Turning much colder.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 155

A S T R O N O M Y
12th Month DECEMBER 2016 31 Days
SAGITTARIUS
November 21 to
December 20
CAPRICORN
December 21 to
January 18
DATE
COLD BLOWS THE WIND, THE FROZEN RAIN AND FLEECY SNOW DESCEND;
FOR, FREEZING WINTER’S COME AGAIN, AND SO THE YEAR DOES END.
MOON’S PHASES
EASTERN STANDARD TIME
£ First Quarter 7 th 4:03 am
© Full Moon 13 th 7:06 pm
~ Last Quarter 20 th 8:56 pm
¢ New Moon 29 th 1:53 am
Subtract 1 hour for CST, 2 hours for MST,
and 3 hours for PST.
ASTRONOMY, HOLIDAYS, AND EVENTS
Moon’S PlacE
aStronoMically
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
NORTHERN
STATES
(EST)
40°N. Lat.
75°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST
MOONRISE
MOONSET
MOON’S
MERIDIAN
PASSAGE
SUN
RISES
CALENDAR FOR
SOUTHERN
STATES
(CST)
35°N. Lat.
90°W. Long.
SUN
SETS
EARLIEST MOON’S
MOONRISE MERIDIAN
MOONSET PASSAGE
1 Th Moon lowest; Mercury farthest south SAG 7:03 4:35 6:39p 1:37p 6:50 4:49 6:53p 1:39p
2 Fr Mercury ingresses Capricorn SAG 7:04 4:35 7:31p 2:26p 6:51 4:48 7:44p 2:28p
3 Sa Alka Seltzer sold for 1st time, 1931 CAP 7:05 4:35 8:26p 3:15p 6:52 4:48 8:39p 3:17p
48. Second Sunday of advent
4 Su Edison invented phonograph, 1877 CAP 7:06 4:35 9:25p 4:04p 6:52 4:48 9:36p 4:06p
5 Mo Walt Disney born, 1901 AQU 7:07 4:35 10:26p 4:53p 6:53 4:48 10:35p 4:55p
6 Tu Lunar occultation of Neptune AQU 7:08 4:35 11:29p 5:42p 6:54 4:48 11:35p 5:44p
7 We Pearl Harbor Day; Acronycal rise of Mercury AQU 7:08 4:35 None 6:31p 6:55 4:48 None 6:33p
8 Th Conception B.V.M.; Moon ascending node PSC 7:09 4:35 12:34a 7:22p 6:56 4:49 12:38a 7:24p
9 Fr 1st YMCA in North America, 1851 CET 7:10 4:35 1:41a 8:14p 6:56 4:49 1:43a 8:16p
10 Sa Saturn in conjunction PSC 7:11 4:35 2:50a 9:09p 6:57 4:49 2:49a 9:11p
49. third Sunday of advent
SUN ON MERIDIAN
CIVIL TIME
Day H:MM:SS
11 Su 1st recorded sighting Aurora Borealis, 1719 ARI 7:12 4:35 4:02a 10:06p 6:58 4:49 3:58a 10:09p
12 Mo Lunar occultation of Aldebaran; Moon at perigee TAU 7:13 4:35 5:14a 11:06p 6:59 4:49 5:08a 11:09p
13 Tu Federal Reserve System est., 1913 TAU 7:13 4:36 6:25a None 6:59 4:50 6:17a None
14 We Ember Day; Heliacal rise of Deneb GEM 7:14 4:36 5:46P 12:08a 7:00 4:50 6:00P 12:11a
15 Th Mars enters Aquarius; Moon, Pollux close GEM 7:15 4:36 6:49P 1:10a 7:01 4:50 7:03P 1:12a
16 Fr Ember Day; Heliacal setting of Mercury CAN 7:15 4:36 7:54P 2:10a 7:01 4:51 8:07P 2:12a
17 Sa Ember Day LEO 7:16 4:37 8:59P 3:06a 7:02 4:51 9:10P 3:08a
50. Fourth Sunday of advent
1 st 11:49:46
8 th 11:52:40
15 th 11:55:56
22 nd 11:59:23
29 th 12:02:50
Day’s Length: 9h 29m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 28m
Day’s Length: 9h 23m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 21m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 56m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 9h 51m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
Day’s Length: 9h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
18 Su 1st U.S. Thanksgiving, 1777 LEO 7:17 4:37 10:02P 3:59a 7:02 4:51 10:11P 4:01a
19 Mo Mercury direct; Mars ingresses Pisces LEO 7:17 4:38 11:03P 4:48a 7:03 4:52 11:09P 4:50a
20 Tu Virginia Company set sail for U.S., 1606 LEO 7:18 4:38 None 5:34a 7:04 4:52 None 5:36a
21 We Winter begins 5:44 am; Sun lowest VIR 7:18 4:39 12:02A 6:18a 7:04 4:53 12:06A 6:20a
22 Th James Oglethorpe born, 1696 VIR 7:19 4:39 1:00A 7:01a 7:05 4:53 1:01A 7:03a
23 Fr NASA approved to continue Voyager 2, 1981 VIR 7:19 4:40 1:56A 7:44a 7:05 4:54 1:55A 7:46a
24 Sa Luna 13 landed on the moon, 1966 LIB 7:20 4:40 2:52A 8:27a 7:05 4:54 2:48A 8:29a
51. christmas Sunday
Day’s Length: 9h 21m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 29m
Day’s Length: 9h 49m
Astron. Twilight: 1h 22m
25 Su christmas Day; Chanukah; Moon at apogee LIB 7:20 4:41 3:48A 9:11a 7:06 4:55 3:42A 9:13a
26 Mo Washington crossed the Delaware, 1776 SCO 7:20 4:42 4:43A 9:57a 7:06 4:56 4:35A 9:59a
27 Tu Heliacal rise of Antares; Uranus lowest OPH 7:21 4:42 5:37A 10:44a 7:07 4:56 5:28A 10:46a
28 We Mercury in lower conjunction; Moon lowest SAG 7:21 4:43 6:29A 11:33a 7:07 4:57 6:20A 11:35a
29 Th Uranus retrograde SAG 7:21 4:44 7:19A 12:22p 7:07 4:58 7:09A 12:24p
30 Fr Rudyard Kipling born, 1865 SAG 7:21 4:44 6:21p 1:12p 7:07 4:58 6:34p 1:14p
31 Sa New Year’s Eve; Venus enters Aquarius CAP 7:22 4:45 7:19p 2:02p 7:08 4:59 7:30p 2:04p
156
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

W E A T H E R
DECEMBER 2016 WEATHER FORECAST
ZONE 1 NORTHEAST
1st-3rd. Partly cloudy New England
and showers for Mid-Atlantic States.
4th-7th. Turning progressively colder.
8th-11th. Heavy snow with 4 to 8 inches
for upstate New York, northern New
England; farther south: heavy showery
rains, perhaps even a thunderstorm.
12th-15th. Cold; a few showers and
flurries. 16th-19th. Unsettled initially;
possibly icy, then clearing. 20th-23rd.
Increasing clouds, possible heavy rains
and widespread flooding. 24th-27th.
Rain ends, fair, colder. 28th-31st. Fair,
cold initially, then becoming milder.
ZONE 2 GREAT LAKES & MIDWEST
1st-3rd. Clouds and cold winds and a
few flurries. 4th-7th. Turning colder,
especially over the the upper Great
Lakes. 8th-11th. Heavy snow Ohio
Valley, points north with up to a foot
of accumulation; Kentucky gets a wintry
mix of snow/sleet/rain. 12th-15th.
Cold and dry. 16th-19th. Unsettled
weather. 20th-23rd. Skies cloud up.
24th-27th. Stormy weather shifts into
the Great Lakes, then fair and colder.
28th-31st. Fair moderating temperatures
for New Year.
ZONE 3 SOUTHEAST
1st-3rd. Squalls for Mississippi Valley.
Showers Middle Atlantic States, Florida,
Gulf Coastal States. 4th-7th. Clear
and cold with some widespread frosts.
8th-11th. Heavy rains, perhaps thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Cold, dry, then
scattered showers. 16th-19th. Showers,
then clearing. 20th-23rd. Increasingly
cloudy skies. 24th-27th. Stormy
weather, then fair, colder. 28th-31st.
Fair, cold, then becoming milder.
ZONE 4 NORTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Showery/unsettled. 4th-7th.
Pleasant. 8th-11th. Big storm moves
out of Southwest. North of the storm
track: heavy snow with 4 to 12 inches
possible; south of the storm track:
heavy rains, perhaps a few thunderstorms.
12th-15th. Cold temps. Fair,
then skies turning unsettled. 16th-19th.
Clouds gradually give way to clearing.
20th-23rd. Stormy with heavy snow.
24th-27th. Fair and colder. 28th-31st.
Scattered snow showers.
ZONE 5 SOUTH CENTRAL
1st-3rd. Showery conditions. 4th-7th.
Dry, tranquil. 8th-11th. Heavy showery
rains, thunderstorm or two. 12th-15th.
Cold with fair skies, then becoming
unsettled. 16th-19th. Clouds gradually
give way to developing sun. 20th-23rd.
Stormy; heavy snow in the Southern
Rockies with up to a foot of accumulation
possible, and rain or rain mixed
with sleet and wet snow across Southern
Plains. 24th-27th. Clearing skies;
falling temperatures. 28th-31st. Not
confetti, it’s snow showers and flurries.
ZONE 6 NORTHWEST
1st-3rd. Showers along Pacific Coast.
4th-7th. Fair, but chilly, turning stormy,
strong winds, heavy precip. 8th-11th.
Windy, then partial clearing. 12th-15th.
Fair, then unsettled. 16th-19th. Clearing
West Coast, eastward. 20th-23rd.
Very unsettled. 24th-27th. Fair, chilly.
28th-31st. 2017 arrives with showers.
ZONE 7 SOUTHWEST
1st-3rd. Showers Pacific Coast. 4th-7th.
Fair, cold, then turning stormy with
strong winds, copious amounts of precip.
8th-11th. Big storm, gusty winds,
then clearing. 12th-15th. Fair California,
then unsettled. 16th-19th. Clearing
West Coast, points east. 20th-23rd.
Windy/showery. 24th-27th. Fair skies,
colder along Pacific Coast. 28th-31st.
Clearing West Coast for the New Year.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 157

W E A T H E R
Are you a
weather geek?
Find your meteorology mojo by visiting a weather observatory
or volunteering for a national observer network
Do you have what it takes to become a citizen weather observer?
Sure, you’ll want some sophisticated devices to measure temperatures
and precipitation. But you need more than the right equipment
and a little time on your hands. This job requires a determination to
help your neighbors and an unusual enthusiasm for the weather.
BY JIM KNEISZEL
158
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

CONSIDER ED BERGERON, 67, who learned how to observe the weather
from his father Harvey, who recorded daily rain and snowfall on the family farm
in Windham, New Hampshire. The elder Bergeron was paid $1 a day for the service
before he passed away a few years ago at age 84, and Ed continues to this
day, even after the National Weather Service has stopped paying observers.
Ed’s lifelong love of the weather led him to become the president of the nonprofit
Mount Washington Observatory (www.mountwashington.org), the most
important weather station in the United States, and to a daily local radio show
where he rates the weather on a 0-50 scale, with 50 being the perfect blue-sky day.
Many ask if the rating of the day started by Joe Dodge in the
1950s has changed, and the response is “it’s inflation proof.”
“People accost me every day to tell me they don’t agree with
my rating for the day,” Bergeron said.
REPORT IT
If you are weather-obsessed as Bergeron, there are outlets
for your interest.
Two volunteer observer programs are always looking
for more people who would like to contribute to a comprehensive
web of weather statistics. The NWS, through its
Cooperative Observer Program, has about 8,500 volunteers
taking daily readings for
temperature and precipitation.
And CoCoRaHS
(the Community Collaborative
Rain, Hail and Snow Network), based at Colorado
State University, merges reports from 7,500 volunteers to
create a real-time map of precipitation.
And if you really geek out on the weather, consider participating
in a Winter EduTrip at the Mount Washington
Observatory—where the highest wind speed in U.S. history
(231 mph) was recorded in 1934. Visitors are transported to
the top of the highest mountain summit in the Northeast to
experience the weather room and meet some of the brightest
young minds in meteorology.
Over the past 50 years, technology has brought dramatic
changes in the way weather is observed and recorded. Once
one of a number of remote, staffed observatories, Mount
Washington almost stands alone today. Most observatories
are now automated with computer equipment to record conditions
with precision and regularity. The extreme weather
and maintenance of equipment against constant icing
requires manpower 24/7/365 days a year.
Where satellite and weather radar equipment was once only found in a few
locations like major airports, the best forecasting tools are only a few mouseclicks
away from your laptop or tablet at home. As for capturing weather data,
now comprehensive home weather stations can be bought for $100, with information
routed through a computer and out to the Internet every hour on the hour.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 159
Ed Bergeron’s love for weather
keeps him busy observing it.

This technology revolution has been amazing for Beau Dodson, a meteorologist,
educator, and weather blogger based in Round Knob, Illinois. Dodson,
44, indulged his passion by constructing a house featuring a second-floor
weather room filled with computer monitors and large windows, giving him a
panoramic hilltop view to the south, west, and north. From his rooftop observation
deck, Dodson can watch storms
form three counties away and report
EDUCATION
IS THE GOAL
what he sees to the NWS in order to keep
regional weather spotters safe.
Dodson’s Southern Illinois Weather
Observatory (www.weatherobservatory
.com) coordinates with local emergency
government officials and weather observers
to share the latest conditions with
thousands of web visitors.
“It’s really amazing what you can see
when you live on a hill; thunderstorms,
wall clouds, hailstorms. If you love
nature, it’s the place to be,’’ he said of the
observatory. “I built the house around my
weather obsession.’’
His meteorology work is done as a volunteer,
and Dodson says he has a mission
to explain the weather in a nontechnical
way. He invites Scout troops, civic groups,
anyone with an interest in the weather, to
tour the facility and gain firsthand knowledge
about how observers work.
“I answer a lot of questions, and that’s
something they don’t get from all television
meteorologists. They don’t have
a lot of time to answer questions,’’ he
said. “The format and business model for
weather is changing. People don’t watch
TV the way they used to and (meteorologists) need to move their platform and
make themselves available on social media. Then (the public) kind of has a
friend in weather.’’
Southern Illinois is a fascinating place to be a weather watcher, Dodson said.
Located in the center of the country, the area experiences winter blizzards,
summer heat waves, and routinely faces the potential for devastating storms.
Temperatures can swing 40 degrees almost instantly and treacherous conditions
like ice-covered roads and damaging winds can come out of nowhere.
Each of these weather incidents drives thousands of people to Dodson’s website
and Facebook page for minute-by-minute updates.
“Winter storms are crazy. When we get snow, people come in droves to social
media,’’ he said. “In our area, the weather can be dangerous and people have to
stay on top of it to keep their family safe.’’ (continued)
160
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 161

COME TO
THE MOUNT
Extreme weather is also the rule at Mount Washington Observatory. Built at
an elevation of 6,288 feet, the observatory is located on rugged White Mountain
National Park and New Hampshire State Park land. The only way up from
the main office below in the winter is by Snow Cat. The trip can take an hour or
a day, depending on conditions, and a crew of 6–8 alternate spending a week at
a time at the observatory. Bad weather on shift change day can delay changing
crews for 1–2 days.
“Hundreds of people vie for each observer opening; the best students from
the best [meteorology] programs in the country apply for internships,’’ said
Bergeron. The staff of about 30 (12 summit, 18 valley) are mainly young scientists,
22–30 years old, who thrive on the challenging work and don’t mind the isolation,
he said.
The Mount Washington Observatory has its roots in the Civil War period,
when the Army signal service occupied the summit from 1879–1892. The nonprofit
group operates the observatory, runs the Weather Discovery Center at its
headquarters, and has conducted harsh-weather product testing for sponsors
including catalog retailer L.L. Bean, Backpacker magazine, and Eastern Mountain
Sports. The testing, government grants, a retail store, and observatory
memberships support its programs.
Mount Washington Observatory
162
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

For Bergeron, all the automated technology is great for blanketing the country
with accurate weather data. But he maintains that personal observation
can’t be beat if you want to fill in the details beyond a temperature or precipitation
statistic. And those reports can be made by top meteorologists on Mount
Washington or a weather fanatic in his backyard anywhere in the country.
“Boots on the ground is the best way to do it,’’ he said.
So you want to start observing the weather?
Here are a few tips from Beau Dodson of the Southern Illinois Weather
Observatory to help you become a serious weather watcher:
Buy a weather radio
Your first priority might be to protect
your family from dangerous storms.
Buying an inexpensive weather
radio with SAME (Specific Area
Message Encoding) technology is
the first step. These handheld and
desktop radios cost $20–$50 and
can be set to alert you to specific
types of weather warnings and
isolate the warnings by county and
region. They automatically give you
warnings directly from the National
Weather Service.
Load a weather app on your
smartphone
When you’re on the go, mobile
phone weather apps will keep you
informed of impending storms.
There are many choices, but Dodson’s
favorites are iMap Weather
Radio and Storm Shield Weather
Radio. For a modest download
price, these apps will wake up your
mobile phone and alert you with
push notifications. The NWS offers
its own free app that can be downloaded
at a number of websites.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
163

Set up a digital weather
station
A capable weather station to measure
temperature, wind speed and
direction, precipitation, barometric
pressure, and humidity costs $100
to $300, with professional models
available for $1,000 to $2,000. The
units include an outdoor sensor
device and wireless indoor console,
as well as software to connect to
your home computer and stream
readings online.
Get observer training
Two weather observation networks
offer free training to volunteer
observers. The NWS Cooperative
Observer Program was established
in 1890 and is coordinated through
121 Weather Forecast Stations
across the country. Observers
report daily temperatures and
precipitation totals by computer. For
more information, go to www
.nws.noaa.gov and search for
program information. The Community
Collaborative Rain, Hail
and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS)
reports precipitation totals to the
Colorado Climate Center. Among its
sponsors are the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and the National Science
Foundation (NSF). For more
information on getting involved, go
to www.cocorahs.org.
*And of course subscribe to the Farmers’ Almanac.
164
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 165

W E A T H E R
When the Rains Won’t Come
A look at five historic (and one current)
DROUGHTS
166
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

BY CALEB WEATHERBEE
The drought that has affected
the western United States has
been a major weather event
and news story for the past
several years. It’s a concern
for many who live there as
well as many of us who wonder
what happens when the
weather turns so dry.
Drought is defined as a period
of prolonged and unusually dry
weather. When normal weather
patterns, which provide sufficient
annual moisture in the form of rain
or snow, become altered and the
amount of precipitation is sustainably
reduced, then drought sets
in and crops of all types suffer.
Eventually water supplies reach a
critical level.
Except for occasional dust storms,
drought is rarely a dramatic event.
Instead, as Dr. Stanley Gedzelman,
an executive editor of Weatherwise
magazine notes: “It is prolonged and
insidious.” In 1953, Walter Prescott
Webb, a University of Texas historian
and noted U.S. water policy
critic, wrote: “Droughts are unlike
other natural disasters. They creep
in slowly, with no need for dramatic
services of the Red Cross, martial
law, or the state police.” And in the
end, he added, “Everybody loses.”
Over the past 85 years, there
have been five significant periods
of abnormally dry conditions that
have led to serious drought for
parts of the United States. Here in
chronological order, is a narrative
summary of each of these events.
THE DUST BOWL ERA
One of the greatest weather disasters
in American history occurred
during the decade of the 1930s,
also known as “The Dirty Thirties.”
Across the Great Plains occurred
the most destructive drought the
United States has ever faced. After
fairly favorable climatic conditions
in the 1920s, with good rainfall and
some relatively moderate winters,
the region entered an unusually dry
era in the summer of 1930. During
the next decade, the Plains suffered
four of their seven driest calendar
years since 1895.
The drought actually came in
three waves: 1934, 1936, and 1939,
but some regions of the High Plains
experienced drought conditions
for as many as eight years. Poor
soil management practices made
matters even worse; without native
prairie grasses or cover crops the
top soil became dry and dusty and
the wind actually lifted the dust
several miles into the air. These
dust storms occasionally made it so
dark that pedestrians walked into
one another at high noon; they were
dubbed “black rollers” or “black blizzards.”
Beginning on May 9, 1934, a
strong, two-day dust storm removed
massive amounts of Great Plains
topsoil. The dust clouds blew all the
way to Chicago, where they deposited
12 million pounds of dust. Two
days later, the same storm reached
cities in the East, such as Cleveland,
Buffalo, New York City, Washington,
D.C., and Boston. That winter (1934–
1935), red snow fell on New England.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 167

At its greatest extent, during the
winter of 1935–1936, at least 50
million acres of land were affected.
Associated Press reporter Robert E.
Geiger happened to be in Boise City,
Oklahoma, to witness the “Black
Sunday” black blizzard of April 14,
1935; Edward Stanley, Kansas City
news editor of the Associated Press
became the first to coin the term
“Dust Bowl” while editing Geiger’s
news story. The name Dust Bowl
applied only to the most seriously
affected areas of the south-central
Plains, which included parts of
Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma,
and Kansas.
It appeared that the drought was
ending as the stricken region began
to diminish noticeably during 1937
and 1938, when it had shrunk to
only one-fifth of its original size. But
extreme drought returned in 1939.
Finally, in 1940–1941, frequent and
widespread soaking rains arrived
to put an end to the drought and
brought the troubled area back into
agricultural production, just in time
to meet the demands of World War II
on the nation’s productive capacity.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
DROUGHT RETURNS IN
THE 1950s
From 1947 to 1959, drought again
plagued Texas, the Central Plains,
the Midwest, and a few Rocky
Mountain States. Temperatures
were hot and rain was scarce. In
Texas, rainfall decreased by 40
percent between 1949 and 1951,
according to the National Climatic
Data Center (NCDC). By the time
the drought ended, 244 of Texas’
254 counties had been declared
federal disaster areas. Drought
became particularly severe in
California, with some natural
lakes drying up completely in 1953.
Southern California was hit hard by
drought in 1958–1959, badly straining
water resources.
If there was one year that could
be singled out as the worst during
this drought period, it might very
well have been 1954. During that
summer it was extremely hot
and dry in a large zone from the
southern Plains, eastward across
the Deep South to the Atlantic
Seaboard. Crop yields dropped to
50 percent in much of the South

and Southwest. And the very next
spring, widespread dust storm
activity returned. But then slowly
and gradually, during the late ’50s
into 1960, copious rainfall became
more frequent and widespread,
eventually putting an end to this
bout of extremely dry conditions.
NORTHEAST DROUGHT
OF THE 1960s
The Northeastern United States,
for the most part, escaped the
devastating droughts of the 1930s
and 1950s, but the early 1960s
were not as kind. Abnormally dry
conditions over a sizable area of
the Northeast first appeared in September
1961. By 1962, the drought
reached moderate-to-severe proportions.
October 1963 went down
in the record books as the warmest
and driest October on record
for many locations; the drought
was adversely affecting multiple
regional cities from Virginia into
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New
York, as well as certain Midwest
States. The year 1965 was the driest
year on record in New England
since the late 1800s, while farther
south, Washington D.C.’s Potomac
River fell to its lowest level ever in
1966.
On March 18th, 1966, in a New
York Times editorial under the title,
“Water Situation: Not Good,” it was
noted that, “. . . the entire Northeast
remains at the mercy of its worst
drought in man’s memory. The
thirteen-state area is now in its fifth
year of severe water shortage.”
The reservoir capacity for New
York City had fallen to 59 percent
(usually at the end of winter, it is
close to 100 percent). So dire was
the situation that it was decided
to open a pumping station near
Beacon, New York, which would
allow water from the Hudson River
to be incorporated into New York’s
drinking water. This lead to jokes
referring to a glass of water as a
“Hudson cocktail.” Truth be told,
however, restaurants stopped
serving water unless patrons specifically
asked for it. City fountains
were turned off. A frequently shown
television commercial displayed a
dripping faucet accompanied by a
voice that uttered (with a slight tone
of urgency) just three words: “Save
water now!” The same message was
conveyed on evening flights of the
Goodyear blimp high above Manhattan.
The summer of 1966 was
also brutally hot: On July 3rd, it hit
107°F at La Guardia Airport.
Finally, in September and October
of 1966, the drought broke. Beneficial
soaking rains accompanied
an increasingly persistent storm
track along the Atlantic Seaboard, a
pattern which lasted into the winter
bringing frequent and sometimes
heavy snowfalls. By spring of 1967
reservoirs returned to near-normal
capacity and the Northeast drought
finally came to an end.
THE NORTH AMERICAN
DROUGHT OF 1988
Although it was short-lived compared
to the other droughts noted
here, the 1988 drought was the
costliest natural disaster in United
States history before Hurricane
Katrina. More than 40 billion dollars
in damage was caused in both the
United States and western Canada.
Plummeting crop production led to
spikes in food prices. At its peak, the
1988 drought covered about 39 percent
of the United States. (continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 169

The impact was worst in the
northern Great Plains, though the
West Coast and Northwest were
also hit. There were countless
forest fires that accompanied this
drought including 793,880 acres
of Yellowstone National Park that
burned out of control, prompting
the first complete closure of the
park in its history.
Across the Great Plains and Midwest
some of the worst dust storms
seen since the Dust Bowl era took
place. One particular storm was a
long-lasting episode in late February
that closed schools across most
of South Dakota.
As winter transitioned into spring
and spring into summer it first
turned exceptionally dry—Milwaukee,
as an example, went 55
consecutive days without seeing a
single drop of rain—and then it got
exceptionally hot for many days.
Most memorable were the more
than 20,000 people who perished
during two extended spells of
extreme heat with the mercury on
most days topping 100°F.
Fortunately, this was not a protracted
drought. Although it was still
rather hot and dry in 1989, by 1990
ample precipitation accompanied
by cooler summer temperatures
put an end to this short-lived, albeit
very intense, drought. This particular
case might be defined as
a “flash drought,” a term developed
by Mark Svoboda, a climatologist
at the National Drought Mitigation
Center at the University of Nebraska,
because the time frame had been on
the scale of weeks to months, rather
than many years.
THE CURRENT DROUGHT
Scientists and historians are calling
the current dry spell—which
began to manifest itself during
the year 2010 over the southern
United States and then spread to
the north and west—as the worst
drought since the 1950s. The
current drought has exceeded, in
most measures, the 1988 North
American drought, and is on track
to exceed that drought as the costliest
natural disaster in U.S. history.
Low snowfall amounts in winter
coupled with intense summer heat,
particularly over the Southwestern
States, are the primary cause for
the current drought-like conditions.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

But drought, like other weather
phenomena, fluctuates. Over the
past few years, some regions that
were suffering from prolonged
drought conditions saw a sudden
reversal in the arid conditions. For
example, on July 17, 2012, as much
as 81 percent of the United States
was categorized as having abnormally
dry conditions. But during
the spring of 2013, heavy rainfall
helped to alleviate the drought
over the Midwest and Southeast
United States. In fact, parts of the
Midwest went from severe drought,
to excessive rainfall, to widespread
flooding problems within a matter
of weeks, a pattern that Dr. Jeff Masters,
Director of Meteorology for
the online service, Weather Underground
referred to as “weather
whiplash.”
As of this writing (March 2015),
about 60 percent of the United
States is experiencing abnormally
dry conditions. This includes parts
of the Tennessee and Mississippi
Valleys, as well as the Dakotas
and Minnesota. But the media will
likely focus chiefly on those areas
that are suffering from “exceptional
drought” conditions, namely
northern Texas, western Nevada,
and much of central and southern
California. At the start of last winter
hopes were high that a developing
El Niño might bring a continuous
progression of Pacific storms into
California to alleviate the drought,
but when the hoped-for El Niño
weakened in January 2015, hopes
for beneficial rains subsequently
faded as well.
THE FUTURE
According to the National Integrated
Drought Information System
(NIDIS) certain weather and climate
extremes, such as more frequent
or severe floods and droughts, are
predicted to be more likely with
climate change. However, the role
of climate change in the current
drought is uncertain. Conditions
have been as bad or worse than the
current drought numerous times
in our instrumental record, maintained
by NOAA. According to a
2012 report by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
in some regions including central
North America, droughts have
become less frequent, less intense,
or shorter in duration since about
1950. Conditions over the Great
Plains and Midwest have been
as bad or worse than the current
drought numerous times according
to long-term weather records.
As to whether the current drought
will soon come to an end, or whether
it will expand into other regions
of the country, Brian Fuchs of the
U.S. Drought Monitor perhaps said
it best: “Mother Nature is always
going to throw us that curve ball.
As much as we think we have things
cornered and we know what’s going
to be happening, you just don’t know
what will happen.”
Get water conservation tips, predictions, and more at
FarmersAlmanac.com
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 171

A S T R O N O M Y
ANNUAL METEOR SHOWERS
Name
Maximum
Activity
Average
Hourly Rate
Best Direction
and Time to View
Speed
Quadrantids Jan 3–4 60–120 Northeast 4 to 6 a.m. Medium
Lyrids Apr 21–22 10–20 Overhead 2 to 4 a.m. Swift streaks
Eta Aquarids May 4–5 20–40 Southeast 2 to 4 a.m. Very swift, long paths
Delta Aquarids Jul 28–29 15–25 South 1 to 3 a.m. Slow, long paths
Perseids Aug 11–13 50–100 Northeast 2 to 4 a.m. Very swift, rich display
Orionids Oct 21–22 15–25 South 2 to 4 a.m. Swift streaks
South Taurids Nov 2–4 10–20 South 1 to 3 a.m. Very slow, bright
North Taurids Nov 12–14 10–20 South 12 to 2 a.m. Slow fireballs
Leonids Nov 17–18 25–50 S/Southeast 4 to 6 a.m. Very swift
Geminids Dec 13–14 50–100 Overhead 1 to 3 a.m. Medium
Ursids Dec 22–23 15–25 North all night Medium
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172
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

LIFE
AFTER
DEATH
Visit our website
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God, through His
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Many of us in frustration over the death of a loved one,
and in the certainty of our own ultimate meeting with
the “Grim Reaper,” have devised all sorts of philosophies
in an effort to calm our fears and to deny the reality of
what is so tragically real. We have attempted to believe
that death is not what it seems to be; that it is not an
enemy but a friend, a means by which humans enter
into another and more sublime realm of life, but the Bible
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 173

A S T R O N O M Y
LEARNING TO READ THE SKY
6 steps to
STARGAZING
BY JOE RAO
ASTRONOMY is the oldest of the sciences, so amateur
astronomy may very well be the oldest scientific hobby.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Our fascination with the heavens is timeless ...
having an indescribable appeal. Stargazing is intellectual as well as aesthetic.
It combines the thrill of exploring new realms of knowledge with the delight of
appreciating new spheres of beauty.
But for many, the idea of stargazing is
appealing but where or how to start is often
overwhelming. Here’s a primer for those of
you who would like to get the most out of stargazing,
particularly if you are contemplating
purchasing binoculars or a telescope.
START SIMPLE: In his classic autobiography Starlight Nights, the late Leslie
Peltier once noted: “Learning the stars is a pure delight and there are
many pleasant ways to do it. No true stargazer will fail to become familiar
with the constellations and fortunate is he whose introduction to the skies
comes to him through nature’s eyes alone and not through any telescope.
So few of those who use the eyepiece first ever get to really know the stars.”
If you’re just getting started in astronomy, the best thing to do is to spend
some time under the stars with just your eyes and get acquainted with the
brighter stars and constellations. The best way to do this is to purchase a
good sky guide and star chart. Just as you might consult a travel book when
sightseeing in an unfamiliar city, a good book on stargazing or a simple
finder chart will go a long way to help familiarize yourself with the night sky.
When consulting a sky chart be sure to use a dim red light or a red-filtered
flashlight to keep your eyes dark-adapted (white light will shrink the pupils
of your eyes). Use red cellophane or red plastic across the front of the flashlight
lens.
BINOCULAR ASTRONOMY: Before you go out and buy a telescope, try
using a pair of good binoculars. Some might think that binoculars aren’t
as clear or advanced as a telescope, but in reality, for certain aspects of
sky watching, they are the best instrument of all to use. A pair of 7-power
binoculars is lightweight and portable. And a quality pair of binoculars can
far outrank a poor quality small telescope and is an instrument that should
last you a lifetime.
Binoculars come in a variety of sizes. Most observers prefer the so-called
7 x 50 “night glasses.” The 7 refer to the magnification, while the 50 refer
to the diameter of the two objective lenses measured in millimeters. (My
own personal preference, are 7 x 35 “wide-angle” binoculars
that provide a much larger field of view [11°] as
opposed to most other units.) Any good pair of
7-power binoculars when held steadily will give
you a glimpse of the craters of the Moon, the
crescent of Venus, and the moons of Jupiter.
Should a bright comet come along, there is no
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 175

etter instrument to give you a great overall view of both the head and tail.
And by just sweeping along the Milky Way, you’ll be treated to a myriad of
stars.
MOVING UP TO A TELESCOPE: If you decide to progress to a telescope,
here are some types you should consider:
• A refracting telescope has a convex objective lens at
one end and an eyepiece at the other.
• A reflecting telescope does not use an objective lens,
but rather a concave mirror. The mirror (called the
“primary”) sends light up through the tube where a
small flat mirror (called the “secondary”) intercepts it
and sends it to the eyepiece on the side of the tube.
• A catadioptric telescope is a special type of reflecting
telescope that possesses a correcting lens at the
top to form the image. Most catadioptrics are of the
Schmidt-Cassegrain design. The light passes through
the corrector, it reflects off the primary, and then off
a curved secondary, finally passing through a hole in
the main mirror and reaching the eyepiece.
There are, as you might imagine, so many other possibilities to consider
before purchasing a telescope, but the best advice is to remember to keep
it simple.
If you’re just starting out, you might want to consider a 2.4 or 3-inch
refractor or a 4 or 6-inch reflector. Make sure that the telescope can be
quickly set up, and has a sturdy mount. A good telescope is virtually useless
if you mount it on a shaky or wobbly tripod.
Don’t fall into the trap of purchasing what some amateurs refer to as a
“trash telescope.” For the amount of money you might spend for such an
instrument, you would be better off investing in a pair of good binoculars.
Basically, a trash telescope is one that, along with having a poor mount, has
been advertised by the manufacturer as promising “spectacular views” of
the Moon or the rings of Saturn at magnifications of, say, 500 power or more.
Unfortunately, too many uninitiated amateurs are “power happy.” Any
telescope will provide you with high magnification, but not only will you
be increasing the size of the image, you’ll also be increasing the effects of
viewing an object through our turbulent atmosphere. A high-power image
especially in a small telescope will often turn out quite dim and blurry.
The general rule of thumb is that the maximum amount of magnification
for any telescope is 50 power per inch of aperture. So if you intend to buy a
6-inch reflector, 300 power is as high as you should ever attempt to go; the
maximum for a 3-inch refractor should be 150 power. In fact, you’ll probably
be surprised to discover that the most pleasing views will come at much
lower powers.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

JOIN AN ASTRONOMY CLUB: If you have a telescope and don’t already
belong to an amateur astronomical organization, local or national, you
ought to join one. Not only to make new friends and swap ideas, but also
to get help and advice if you need it, and keep posted on developments in
your particular area of interest in astronomy. By far the largest national
organization of amateur astronomers is The Astronomical League (http://
www.astroleague.org), whose member clubs hold annual and regional
conventions at which amateurs talk shop and exchange useful ideas. The
A.L. is composed of scores of local amateur astronomical clubs and groups,
totaling thousands of individuals.
Many astronomy clubs often schedule field trips. (What one person lacks
in telescope skills is made up by another.) One person might know the sky
well and can suggest targets, while another can help with the setup, and
so on. Don’t go it alone, the stars offer solitude, to be sure, but observing
with another person will, synergistically, often be more than two people
observing independently could accomplish. In almost all cases, two heads
(or more) ARE really better than one!
BRING REFRESHMENTS: This is especially true if you plan to make your
stargazing session an all-night affair. But make sure you’re not eating anything
that’s greasy that can get onto fingers and then onto eyepieces and
other optics. Include warm or cold drinks as appropriate, and avoid alcohol,
which is a vasoconstrictor and can reduce your ability to perceive faint
objects right at the threshold of your visibility.
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED: If you’re planning an excursion to a
dark-sky site far out in some open countryside; be sure to bring a cell phone
and either a car cord or an extra battery. You may need it in case of emergency
or auto problems. Don’t fail to let somebody know in advance where
you are headed, what roads you intend to use, and when you expect to
return. If you’re close to being the last to leave a site, ask the other person
to make sure that your car (and theirs) starts.
SUGGESTED READING
FOR NAKED EYE OBSERVING
STARLIGHT NIGHTS. THE
ADVENTURES OF A STAR-
GAZER By Leslie C. Peltier. Sky
Publishing Corporation, 2000
(Third Printing).
NIGHTWATCH. By Terence Dickinson
Firefly Books, 1998.
40 NIGHTS TO KNOWING THE
SKY By Fred Schaaf. Owl Books,
1998.
HEAVENS ATLAS
Great visual maps of the stars
www.HeavensAtlas.com
BOOKS ON BINOCULARS
EXPLORING THE NIGHT SKY
WITH BINOCULARS By Patrick
Moore. Cambridge University
Press, 2002.
BINOCULAR ASTRONOMY
By Craig Crossen and Wil Tirion.
Willmann-Bell, 1992.
HOW TO CHOOSE BINOCULARS
By Alan R. Hale. C & A Publishing,
1991.
TOURING THE UNIVERSE
THROUGH BINOCULARS
By Phillip S. Harrington. John
Wiley & Sons, 1990.
BOOKS ON TELESCOPES
STARWARE By Phillip S. Harrington.
John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
THE CAMBRIDGE GUIDE TO
STARGAZING WITH YOUR
TELESCOPE By Robin Scagell.
Cambridge University Press,
2000.
TELESCOPES AND TECHNIQUES
By C.R. Kitchin. Springer Verlag,
1996.
HOW TO USE AN ASTRONOM-
ICAL TELESCOPE By James
Muirden. Simon & Schuster,
1988.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 177

W I T & W I S D O M
Do you know where
your frenum is?
The wonderful, weird world of body language.
Technically the so-called funny bone is the ulnar
nerve that causes that tingly sensation when we
strike our arm. But the source of that feeling is
the knob on the end of the bone running from the
shoulder to the elbow. The medical name for that
bone is the humerus, and back in 1840, some wag
seized upon the homophonic similarity of humerus and
humorous and dubbed the humerus the funny bone, a
learned pun that has become part of our language.
One of the amazements of language is that it seeks to name
everything. Here are more little-known labels for body parts:
• Canthus. The point at
either end of each eye
where your upper and
lower lids meet.
• Frenum. The thin muscle
under your tongue.
• Lunula. The half-moon pale
area at the base of your
fingernails and toenails.
• Opisthenar. The back of
your hand, opposite the
palm.
• Philtrum. The indentation
that runs from just below
your nose to the middle of
your upper lip.
• Popliteal. The hollow area
at the back of your knee.
• Purlicue. The web of flesh
between your thumb and
forefinger.
• Rasceta. The horizontal
creases on the front of your
wrist.
• Thenar. The fleshy pad just
below your thumb.
• Tragus. The fleshy bump of
the ear between the side of
your face and your ear cavity.
• Uvula. The thing that hangs
down from the back of your
throat.
• Vomer. The slender bone
that separates your nostrils.
By Richard Lederer
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 179

O U T D O O R S
Peculiar roadside
attractions you’ve
got to see to
believe!
Not exactly Mount Rushmore . . . chiseled in
granite? No way! But these quirky monuments to
obscure American ingenuity will leave a smile on
your face as you travel across the fruited plain.
At South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore, there’s
the awe-inspiring images of four presidents
majestically carved in a granite mountainside.
In southern Illinois, you’ll find a giant catsup
bottle-shaped water tower.
By Jim Kneiszel
180

Since the advent of automobile travel a century ago, a handful of pridefilled
communities across the country have felt the need to build
monuments to honor local history or a popular regional symbol.
Obsessive-compulsive individuals made it their life’s work to build and display
a great curiosity. Quirky, artistic visionaries have been driven to leave
their fantastic mark on the landscape.
So what makes a roadside attraction worthy of squealing your tires to a
stop, hopping out, and taking a selfie photo to mark the visit? The perfect
roadside monument has the following qualities:
1. It’s located along the side of the road for a spontaneous stop.
2. It doesn’t cost anything to see.
3. It must be positioned for an easy selfie.
4. It must be absurd in some way.
Here’s a list of some of America’s most interesting, famous, obscure, and
quirky roadside monuments, organized by popular categories. Save the list,
clip it to your sun visor, and consult it the next time you’re traveling the highways
and byways of this great land. (And be sure to share
your selfie with us. Read on for details.)
Artistic Statements
CADILLAC RANCH, Amarillo, Texas: In
1974, an avant-garde artist group, Ant Farm, and
eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh 3, half-buried
10 Cadillacs, vintage 1949 to 1963, nose-first along a
desolate stretch of Route 66. The display—with each
car placed at the same angle as the great pyramid
of Giza in Egypt—has become an iconic public
art display. The Cadillacs are routinely desecrated
by vandals, and visitors are encouraged to bring
along a can of paint and add their own graffiti.
WISCONSIN CONCRETE PARK,
Phillips, Wisconsin: Drive a mile south
of this remote northern Wisconsin town on
Highway 13 and you’ll pass along hundreds
of strange and enchanting concrete statues
festooned with colorful bits and pieces of
broken beer bottles. This is the work of tavern
owner and farmer Fred Smith, who, in 1948
at the age of 62, decided to make the display
his life’s work. Get a photo of yourself with
odd folk art visages of Abraham and Mary
Todd Lincoln, Paul Bunyan, mythical animals,
and historical figures. (continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 181

Whimsical Architecture
MAMMY’S CUPBOARD, Natchez,
Mississippi: Stop to gawk at this folk art
wonder along Highway 61 just outside of
town, but stay for a piece of homemade pie.
The 28-foot-tall sculpture is hiding a quaint
local lunch and dessert restaurant under
her hoop skirt. The restaurant was built in
1940, just after the character of Mammy
was made famous in the book and film,
Gone With the Wind.
LONGABERGER’S BASKET
BUILDING, Newark, Ohio: On a
pleasant drive on Highway 16 in central
Ohio, you might be thinking, “Good
time to stop for a picnic lunch.’’ And
then you encounter the picnic basket
for the ages, the seven-story headquarters
of the Longaberger Company. The
manufacturer of baskets commissioned
construction of new offices to be a
replica of one of its popular products, only
160 times larger. The whimsical structure
opened in 1997 and has been a roadside
sensation ever since.
Strange, but True …
WORLD’S LARGEST BALL OF
TWINE, Cawker City, Kansas: This
sleepy, crossroads town, population 469,
built its identity around a giant ball of
twine sitting under a canopy on downtown’s
Wisconsin Street. Frank Stoeber
started rolling the ball of sisal twine in
1953 and grew it to 5,000 pounds in four
years. He then offered it to the town in
1961. Surprisingly, the town accepted
the donation. If you arrive in August,
you may be lucky enough add to the
ball during the town’s Twine-a-thon. The
ball is estimated to weigh almost 20,000
pounds and growing.
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

BUBBLEGUM ALLEY, San Luis
Obispo, California: Chew on this: If
you pull over in the 700 block of Higuera
Street in this California town—known as
The Happiest City in America—you will see
a 70-foot-long, 15-foot-high alleyway covered
in old bubblegum. It started as part of
a prank between rival high school classes
nearly 50 years ago. The local Chamber of
Commerce calls the multi-colored walls of
gum blobs the community’s most popular
attraction and reports there are nearly
2 million wads and counting.
Regionally Important Oddities
ENCHANTED HIGHWAY, Regent,
North Dakota: Pull off the freeway
onto a two-lane county road in Regent,
North Dakota, and you’ll reach the
mother lode of mammoth roadside
attractions. The Enchanted Highway was
the brainchild of retired schoolteacher
and metal sculptor Gary Greff, who
designed a series of 10 massive sculptures
with various themes, including the
World’s Largest Grasshopper and Teddy
Roosevelt on a horse, at rest stops
along a 32-mile stretch.
MUSIC GATES AT GRACELAND,
Memphis, Tennessee: Is there a more
famous address in American music history
than 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard? The king
of rock ‘n’ roll was known for his lavish
lifestyle, and part of that was the fabulous
wrought iron gates in front of his home,
covered with music notes and images of
him playing guitar. Those gates are still
there in suburban Memphis, and you can
pull over and grab a photo of yourself on
the very spot where Elvis greeted fans.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 183

Monuments to American Manufacturing
UNIROYAL GIANT TIRE, Allen
Park, Michigan: An 80-foot-tall tire,
once serving as a Ferris wheel at the
1964 New York World’s Fair, is now an
unofficial welcome sign for the Motor
City, located along Interstate 94 just
outside of Detroit. It no longer sports
the sleek gondolas that carried 2 million
visitors at the fair, including First Lady
Jacqueline Kennedy and First Kids Caroline
and John John, but it remains a
tribute to what you can do with 12 tons
of fiberglass and a little black paint.
WORLD’S LARGEST CATSUP
BOTTLE, Collinsville, Illinois:
No, the 70-foot catsup bottle rising over
the tree line along Highway 159 east
of St. Louis is not filled with America’s
favorite condiment. The water tower was
erected in 1949 by the once-booming
Brooks Foods to provide water for
fire protection at its factory. When the
whimsical water tower was abandoned
in the 1990s, local preservationists
took action to save it, and now hold an
annual festival to honor its historical
significance.
Did we miss any that you’d add to the list?
Share your favorite odd places with us on our
Facebook, Instagram and website. For more
information go to farmersalmanac.com/places
and find out how your roadside selfies could
turn into prizes.
184
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
185

O U T D O O R S
PROTECTING OUR STORIES
The National Park Service Turns
100
Acentury ago, the United
States embarked on an
unprecedented journey: the creation
of the national park system.
On August 25, 1916, President
Woodrow Wilson signed into
law The Organic Act, legislation
that established the
National Park Service. The new
agency was created to “promote
and regulate the use of the federal
areas known as national parks,
monuments, and reservations.” It
BY GLENN MORRIS
was the legal endorsement of a profound
national vision; some places
don’t need civilization as much as
civilization needs those places.
Every summer people stream
to our national parks for the
scenery, history, and activity.
July and August bring a crush
of families to nearly every
park. They go to look, to learn,
and to sample from some of the
best vacation bargains in America.
In Washington, DC, the National
186 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

Mall swarms with visitors who
ripple up the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial or gaze at the reflection
of the Washington Monument in the
reflecting pool standing where Martin
Luther King, Jr. gave his defining
speech. People pay homage to the
“Greatest Generation” at the World
War II Memorial and touch the
names they know on the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.
From Battery Park in New York
and from Liberty State Park in New
Jersey, people queue for tickets
to climb to the Statue of Liberty
crown. Elsewhere, visitors thread
their way through Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, and gasp
in amazement at the predictable
gush of Old Faithful in Yellowstone
National Park. They point thier cellphone
cameras at the Grand Tetons
and pack into Yosemite. They walk
in mute amazement in Muir Woods
and Sequoia National Park.
(continued)
187 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 187

President “Preservation”
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
When outdoorsman, rancher,
hunter, and President Theodore
Roosevelt inked the
Antiquities Act of 1906, he
was given the key to unlock a
national vision of preservation.
The act granted the president
the authority to proclaim
national monuments. This
designation has a generous
definition and includes land
or structures of scientific, historic,
and prehistoric interest
on lands owned or controlled
by the United States. This
turned out to be a very big
deal—the right tool in the right
hands. President Roosevelt
got right to work. In addition
to creating five national
parks (Crater Lake, Oregon;
Wind Cave, South Dakota;
Sullys Hill, North Dakota
[now a game preserve]; Mesa
Verde, Colorado; and Platt,
Oklahoma [now part of Chickasaw
National Recreation
Area]), he created 18 national
monuments, including the
Grand Canyon by executive
proclamation. Roosevelt was
boldly proactive about preservation.
After learning no law
prohibited him from declaring
sanctuaries for wildlife, he
started the National Wildlife
Refuge system by declaring
Florida’s Pelican Island the
first of 55 such preserves he
would create.
IF YOU SAVE IT, THEY WILL COME
Americans “get it” when it comes to our
national parks: In 2013 (the most recent data
for this writing), there were 273,630,895 recreational
visits to the 405 properties managed
by the National Park Service. That same year,
there were 13,115,983 overnight stays of all
kinds (lodges, cabins, RVs, boats, and backpackers)
in these properties. We come; we go,
we stay, and play.
The National Park Service has grown from a
fledgling unit of former soldiers who became
the rangers at Yellowstone National Park to
an organization of dedicated and earnestly
helpful people of many different backgrounds.
There are approximately 22,000 diverse professionals
who work as permanent, temporary,
and seasonal employees. For most of these
folks, it is a calling not a job.
Nearly 221,000 volunteers supplement the
staff particularly during peak season. The
park service has two co-mingled goals: to take
care of the resource whatever it may be and to
make it safe for those who come to visit.
“We are in charge of all significant natural,
historical, and cultural properties in the
United States,” states Jeffrey G. Olson, Chief
of Public Affairs for the National Park Service.
If the Smithsonian Institution displays most
of the “props” of our national historic drama,
the National Park Service is the keeper of the
theaters where our natural, historical, and
cultural stories were staged—the places that
tell our story. Jeffrey Olson succinctly puts an
exclamation point on the “secret” mission of
the National Park Service: “We keep America.”
AN IDEA TAKES ROOT
The notion that a place merits preservation
in perpetuity began evolving in the mid-19th
century. In 1852, Congress established the
Hot Springs Reservation in Arkansas to safeguard
the purportedly medicinal properties
of the waters. Western exploration in the 19th
century revealed previously unimagined natural
wonders such as Yosemite Valley and the
Mariposa grove of giant Sequoia trees. In 1864,
188
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
188

Congress, heeding the plea of Frederick Law Olmstead, the creator of New
York’s Central Park, donated Yosemite Valley to the state of California to
protect it from commercial exploitation.
Eight years later, on March 1, 1872, Congress set aside more than two million
acres at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River in the Montana and
Wyoming Territories “as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit
and enjoyment of the people.” Yellowstone National Park, the first national
park of any nation, is the cornerstone of our system and was inspiration to
other nations.
EARLY BEGINNINGS
Yellowstone launched a scattershot preservation effort: In 1890, Yosemite,
General Grant, and Sequoia became National Parks in California. Mt.
Rainier in Washington followed in 1899, the first park in a National Forest.
Early 20th century brought a confluence of legal authority, the preservation
ideal, and an outgoing, outdoor, adventure-loving president, Theodore
Roosevelt, who vigorously acted on behalf of conservation. (See Sidebar.)
The philanthropy of individuals has benefited the parks, saving rare lands
from alteration or destruction when government could not. Muir Woods
National Monument in California, was the first ever such gift of land. In 1905,
businessman William Kent purchased 611 acres of old growth coastal redwood
forest in Mill Valley, CA, to dedicate a forest in honor of pioneering
conservationist John Muir. In 1907, to thwart condemnation for a reservoir,
Kent donated 295 acres to the federal government, which President Theodore
Roosevelt accepted, and on January 9, 1908, Roosevelt declared it a
National Monument under the broad reach of the 1906 Antiquities Act.
In a parallel way, 5,000 acres of Mount Desert Island, Maine, that would
be the core of Acadia National Park, was purchased and donated by a group
of wealthy residents.
The Rockefeller family has an unmatched record of park philanthropy.
The family has been involved in providing lands for Acadia, Great Smoky
Mountains, and Shenandoah National Parks. In 1949, the family donated
33,000 acres to become the heart of the Grand Teton National Park. They
are directly responsible for 5,000 acres in St. John, Virgin Islands and the
protection of 5,650 acres of an offshore coral reef there.
THE GOOD IDEA GROWS BIGGER
The Organic Act jump-started the
nascent National Park Service by giving
it the management and preservation
responsibilities for the then-existing 35
national parks and monuments. The
idea really caught on big time. Today
the National Park Service oversees
405 areas totaling more than 84 million
acres. Our centennial honorees manage
a national treasure trove.
(continued)
189
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
FEE-FREE DAYS
In the past several years, the NPS has
waived fees for the following days:
• January 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
• February 13–15, Presidents’ Day weekend.
• The opening weekend of National Park
Week (to be declared).
• August 25, 100th National Park Service
Birthday.
• September 24, National Public Lands Day.
• November 11, Veterans Day.
189

Here’s a short list from the marvelous portfolio managed by the National Park Service.
The National Mall
(Washington, DC):
A space envisioned
in 1791 that belongs
to yesterday, today,
tomorrow, and everyone.
Independence
National Historic Park
(Philadelphia, PA): The
setting where dreams
and ideals launched a
new nation, a revolution,
and cracked a bell
called Liberty.
Cumberland Island
National Seashore (St
Marys, GA): A pristine
barrier island with
9,800 acres of wilderness,
miles of beach,
and massive dunes.
Access is limited to
ensure unlimited
amazement.
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
(NC/TN): 800 square
miles of rumpled rock
and astonishing biodiversity.
From river
bottoms to more than
mile-high peaks: It’s
a zoo, it’s a terrarium,
and it’s a museum.
Grand Canyon
National Park (AZ):
“Grand” and speechless
comes to mind when
describing this park. It
is so vast that a helicopter
appears the size
of a bumblebee and
condors look like crows.
Go to the North Rim.
190 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC
Rocky Mountain
National Park (CO):
The 415 square miles
comprise the highest
park in the United
States. There are 300
miles of hiking trails,
alpine lakes, permanent
glaciers, and one
of the most gorgeous
drives in the country,
Trail Ridge Road.
Yellowstone National
Park (WY): The land
smokes, steams,
bubbles, plops, and
gushes. It holds the
greatest concentration
of geysers on earth.
Bison have the right
of way; bears are
abundant; elk rule the
meadows … until the
wolves come along.
Golden Gate National
Recreation Area (San
Francisco, CA): The
City by the Bay is
blessed with an unbelievable
natural setting
and settlement made
the best of it. Visit
Alcatraz, walk The Presidio,
drive across the
Golden Gate Bridge,
wander in the Marin
Headlands, and visit
Muir Woods. You can’t
do it all on one trip.
Check out:
http://farmersalmanac
.com/national-parks for a
state-by-state listing of the
parks, as well as links to the
National Park Service.
190

F A R M & G A R D E N
Gardening According to the Moon
The most favorable days for planting aboveground vegetables, root, and forage crops, and
for doing other gardening tasks as determined by the phases of the Moon in 2016.
JANUARY 1, 2 A favorable time for sowing
grains, hay, and forage crops. Plant
flowers. Favorable days for planting root
crops. 3-5 Start seedbeds. Good days for
transplanting. Plant carrots, turnips,
onions, beets, Irish potatoes, other root
crops in the South. Also good for leafy
vegetables. 6, 7 Do no planting. 8, 9 First
day is good planting day for root crops
where climate permits. Second day is
good for planting aboveground crops
such as sweet corn, beans, and peppers
in southern Florida, Texas, and California.
10, 11 A good time to kill plant pests
or do plowing. Poor time for planting.
12, 13 Extra good for peppers, tomatoes,
peas, and other vine crops. Fine for planting
any aboveground crop where the climate
permits. 14-16 Barren days, do no
planting. 17, 18 Fine for planting beans,
peppers, cucumbers, melons, and other
aboveground crops where climate is suitable.
19, 20 Poor days for planting, seeds
tend to rot in ground. 21, 22 Plant
seedbeds and flower gardens. Best planting
days for aboveground crops, especially
peas, beans, cucumbers, and
squash where climate is suitable. 23-27 A
barren time. Best for killing weeds, briars,
poison ivy, and other plant pests.
Clear wood lots and fencerows. 28, 29 A
favorable time for sowing grains, hay,
and forage crops. Plant flowers. Favorable
days for planting your root crops.
30, 31 Start seedbeds. Good days for
transplanting. Plant carrots, turnips,
onions, beets, Irish potatoes, other root
crops in the South. Also good for leafy
vegetables.
FEBRUARY 1 Start seedbeds. Good day
for transplanting. Plant carrots, turnips,
onions, beets, Irish potatoes, and other
root crops in the South. Lettuce and
other leafy vegetables will do very well.
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 191

F A R M & G A R D E N
GARDENING ACCORDING TO THE MOON
2, 3 Poor planting days. 4-6 Any root
crops that can be planted now will do
well. 7, 8 Barren days. Fine for clearing,
plowing, fertilizing, and killing plant pests.
9, 10 Extra good for cucumbers, peas,
cantaloupes, and other vine crops. Set
strawberry plants. Plant peppers, sweet
corn, tomatoes, and other aboveground
crops in southern Florida, California, and
Texas. 11, 12 Seeds planted now will grow
poorly and yield little. 13, 14 Fine for
planting beans, peppers, cucumbers,
melons, and other aboveground crops
where climate is suitable. 15, 16 Any seed
planted now will tend to rot. 17, 18 Plant
seedbeds and flower gardens. Fine for
planting your beans, tomatoes, corn, cotton,
cucumbers, peppers, melons, and
other aboveground crops where the climate
allows. 19-23 Clear ground, turn
sod, and kill plant pests. 24-26 Fine for
sowing grains, hay, and forage crops.
Plant flowers. Favorable days for planting
your root crops. 27, 28 Start seedbeds.
Good days for transplanting. Plant carrots,
turnips, onions, beets, Irish potatoes,
and other root crops in the South.
Lettuce and other leafy vegetables will do
well. 29 Poor planting day.
MARCH 1, 2 Barren days, do no planting.
3, 4 Any root crops that can be planted
now will do well. 5, 6 A barren period,
best suited for killing plant pests. Do
plowing and cultivating. 7, 8 Good for
planting cucumbers, melons, pumpkins,
and other vine crops. Set strawberry
plants. First day is a good day for transplanting.
First day is also a favorable day
for planting beets, carrots, radishes, salsify,
turnips, peanuts, and other root
crops. Second day is a good day for planting
aboveground crops. 9, 10 Cultivate
and spray, do general farm work, but no
planting. 11, 12 Favorable for planting
crops bearing yield above the ground.
13, 14 Seeds planted now tend to rot in
ground. 15-17 Excellent for sowing
seedbeds and flower gardens. Best planting
days for aboveground crops, especially
peas, beans, cucumbers, and
squash where climate permits. 18-22 A
most barren period, best for killing plant
pests or doing chores around the farm.
23, 24 Fine for sowing grains, hay, and forage
crops. Plant flowers. Favorable days
for planting your root crops. 25-27 Start
seedbeds. Good days for transplanting.
Excellent time for planting root crops that
can be planted now. Also good for leafy
vegetables. 28, 29 Barren days, do no
planting. 30, 31 Any root crops that can
be planted now will do well.
APRIL 1-3 Excellent time to kill weeds,
briars, poison ivy, and other plant pests.
4, 5 Set strawberry plants. Excellent for
any vine crops, such as beans, peas, and
cucumbers. Good days for transplanting.
Favorable days for planting root crops.
6, 7 Poor planting days. Break ground or
cultivate. 8, 9 Favorable time for planting
beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers,
and aboveground crops. 10, 11 Poor days
for planting, seeds tend to rot in ground.
12, 13 Plant seedbeds and start flower
gardens. Plant your tomatoes, beans,
peppers, corn, cotton, and other aboveground
crops on these most fruitful days.
14-18 Grub out weeds, briars, and other
plant pests. 19, 20 A favorable time for
sowing grains, hay, and fodder crops.
Plant flowers now. Plant corn, melons,
squash, tomatoes, and other aboveground
crops. 21-23 Start seedbeds. First
day is a favorable day for planting aboveground
crops, especially cabbage, cauliflower,
lettuce, kale, celery, and other
leafy vegetables. Last two days are good
days for transplanting. Last two days are
also good days for planting beets, carrots,
radishes, turnips, peanuts, and other root
192
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

F A R M & G A R D E N
GARDENING ACCORDING TO THE MOON
crops. Also good for leafy vegetables.
24, 25 Neither plant nor sow on these
barren days. 26-28 Favorable days for
planting your beets, carrots, turnips,
radishes, onions, and other root crops.
29, 30 Excellent time to kill weeds, briars,
poison ivy, and other plant pests.
MAY 1, 2 Fine for vine crops. Set strawberry
plants. Good days for transplanting.
Favorable time for planting late root
crops. 3, 4 Poor planting. Fine for cultivating
or spraying. 5, 6 First day is a good
day for transplanting. First day is also
when planted root crops will yield well.
Second day is favorable for planting
beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers,
and other aboveground crops. 7, 8 Any
seed planted now will tend to rot.
9, 10 Plant seedbeds and flower gardens.
Most favorable for corn, cotton, okra,
beans, peppers, eggplant, and other
aboveground crops. 11-15 A barren period.
Favorable for killing plant pests, cultivating,
or even taking a short vacation.
16-18 Favorable time for sowing hay, fodder
crops, and grains. Plant flowers. Excellent
time for planting corn, beans,
peppers, and other aboveground crops.
19, 20 Plant seedbeds now. Excellent for
planting aboveground crops, and planting
leafy vegetables. 21-23 Seeds planted
now will do poorly and yield little.
24, 25 Plant late beets, potatoes, onions,
carrots, and other root crops. 26, 27 Kill
plant pests on these very barren days.
28, 29 Fine for vine crops. Set strawberry
plants. Good days for transplanting. Favorable
time for planting late root crops.
30, 31 Poor planting. Fine for cultivating
or spraying.
JUNE 1, 2 Good days for transplanting.
Good days for planting your root crops.
3, 4 Seeds planted now tend to rot in
ground. 5-7 Excellent time for sowing
seedbeds and flower gardens. Plant
tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton,
and other aboveground crops on these
most fruitful days. 8-11 Poor period for
planting. Kill plant pests now and clear
fencerows, or clear land. 12-14 Sow
grains and forage crops. Plant flowers. Favorable
for planting peas, beans, tomatoes,
and other fall crops bearing
aboveground. 15, 16 Plant seedbeds.
Extra good for planting fall lettuce, cabbage,
cauliflower, collards, and other
leafy vegetables. All aboveground crops
planted now will do well. 17-19 Poor
planting days, cut hay or do general farm
work. 20, 21 Plant your late beets, potatoes,
onions, carrots, and other root
crops. 22, 23 Poor days for planting. Kill
plant pests, spray, fertilize, do general
farm work. 24-26 Set strawberry plants.
Excellent for any vine crops such as
beans, peas, and cucumbers. Good days
for transplanting. Favorable time for
planting late root crops. 27, 28 Cut hay or
only do plowing on these very barren
days. 29, 30 Good days for transplanting.
Good days for planting root crops.
JULY 1, 2 Poor days for planting, seeds
tend to rot in ground. 3, 4 Plant seedbeds
and flower gardens. First day is a good
day for transplanting. First day is also
most fruitful day for planting root crops.
Second day is most favorable for corn,
cotton, okra, beans, peppers, eggplant,
and other aboveground crops. 5-9 A most
barren period. Kill plant pests and do
general farm work. 10, 11 Sow grains and
forage crops. Plant flowers. Favorable for
planting peas, beans, tomatoes, and
other fall crops bearing aboveground.
12-14 Start seedbeds. Extra good for fall
cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, mustard
greens, and other leafy vegetables. Good
for any aboveground crop that can be
planted now. 15, 16 Barren days, neither
plant nor sow. 17, 18 Any aboveground
(continued)
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 193

F A R M & G A R D E N
GARDENING ACCORDING TO THE MOON
crops that can be planted now will do
well. 19-21 Good days for killing weeds,
briars, and other plant pests. Poor for
planting. 22, 23 Set strawberry plants.
Good days for doing transplanting. Good
days for planting your beets, carrots,
radishes, salsify, turnips, peanuts, and
other root crops. Also good for vine
crops. 24, 25 A barren period. 26, 27 Good
days for transplanting. Root crops that
can be planted now will yield well.
28, 29 Poor days for planting, seeds tend
to rot in ground. 30, 31 Plant seedbeds
and flower gardens. Good days for transplanting.
Most fruitful days for planting
root crops.
AUGUST 1-5 Best for killing weeds, briars,
poison ivy, and other plant pests.
Clear wood lots and fencerows. 6-8 Excellent
for sowing grains, winter wheat, oats,
and rye. Plant flowers now. Very good
days for planting your aboveground
crops. 9, 10 Plant seedbeds. Plant peas,
beans, tomatoes, peppers, and other
aboveground crops in southern Florida,
California, and Texas. Extra good for leafy
vegetables. 11-13 Cut winter wood, do
clearing and plowing, but no planting.
14, 15 A good time to plant aboveground
crops. 16, 17 Barren days, fine for killing
plant pests. 18, 19 Excellent for any vine
crops such as beans, peas, and cucumbers.
Good days for transplanting. Favorable
days for planting your root crops.
20, 21 Neither plant nor sow on these barren
days. 22, 23 Good days for transplanting.
Root crops that can be planted now
will yield well. 24, 25 Any seed planted
now will tend to rot. 26-28 Plant seedbeds
and flower gardens. Good days for transplanting.
Most favorable days for planting
beets, onions, turnips, and other root
crops. 29-31 Best for killing weeds, briars,
poison ivy, and other plant pests. Clear
wood lots and fencerows.
SEPTEMBER 1 Clear ground, turn sod, or
kill plant pests. 2-4 Excellent for sowing
grains, hay, and forage crops. Plant flowers.
Good days for planting peas, beans,
tomatoes, peppers, and other aboveground
crops in southern Florida, Texas,
and California regions. 5, 6 Start your
seedbeds. Excellent time for planting
aboveground crops that can be planted
now, including leafy vegetables which will
do well. 7-9 Clear fencerows, wood lots,
and fields, but do no planting during this
time. 10, 11 Any aboveground crops that
can be planted now will do very well.
12, 13 Poor planting days now. Kill plant
pests only. 14-16 Extra good for vine
crops. First two days are favorable days
for planting aboveground crops. Last day
is a good day for transplanting. Last day
is also a good day for planting root crops.
17, 18 A poor time to plant. 19, 20 Good
days for transplanting. Good days for
planting root crops. 21, 22 Seeds planted
now tend to rot in ground. 23, 24 Plant
seedbeds and flower gardens. Good days
for transplanting. Fine planting days for
fall potatoes, turnips, onions, carrots,
beets, and other root crops. 25-29 Clear
ground, turn sod, or kill plant pests. 30 Excellent
for sowing grains, hay, and forage
crops. Plant flowers. Good day for planting
peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and
other aboveground crops in southern
Florida, Texas, and California.
OCTOBER 1 Fine for sowing grains, hay,
and forage crops. Plant flowers. Favorable
day for planting beans, peas, squash,
sweet corn, tomatoes, and other aboveground
crops in southern Florida, Texas,
and California. 2-4 Start seedbeds. Favorable
days for planting aboveground crops,
and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage,
kale, and celery where climate is
suitable. 5, 6 Do clearing and plowing, but
no planting. 7-9 Plant tomatoes, peas,
beans, and other aboveground crops, in-
194 2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

F A R M & G A R D E N
GARDENING ACCORDING TO THE MOON
doors in the North and outdoors in lower
South. 10, 11 Poor planting days. Kill poison
ivy, weeds, clear land, but no planting.
12, 13 Extra good for vine crops. Favorable
days for planting aboveground crops
where climate is suitable. 14, 15 Barren
days, do no planting. 16, 17 Good days for
transplanting. Good days for planting
beets, carrots, onions, turnips, and other
hardy root crops where climate is suitable.
18, 19 Poor days for planting, seeds
tend to rot in the ground. 20, 21 Start
seedbeds and flower gardens. Good days
for transplanting. Best planting days for
fall potatoes, turnips, onions, carrots,
beets, and other root crops where climate
is suitable. 22-26 A most barren period,
best for killing plant pests or doing chores
around the farm. 27, 28 Fine for sowing
grains, hay, and forage crops. Plant flowers
now. Favorable days for planting root
crops. 29-31 Start seedbeds. First day is a
good day for transplanting. First day is
also excellent for planting root crops and
leafy vegetables. Last two days are favorable
days for planting aboveground crops,
and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage,
kale, and celery where climate is
suitable.
NOVEMBER 1, 2 Poor planting days.
3-5 Good days for planting peas, squash,
corn, tomatoes, and other aboveground
crops in southern Florida, Texas, and California.
6, 7 A good time to kill plant pests
or do plowing. Poor time for planting.
8, 9 Extra good for vine crops. Favorable
days for planting aboveground crops
where the climate allows. 10, 11 Seeds
planted now will grow poorly and yield little.
12, 13 Fine for planting beans, peppers,
cucumbers, melons, and other
aboveground crops where climate is suitable.
14, 15 Any seed planted now will
tend to rot. 16, 17 Start seedbeds and
flower gardens. Good days for transplanting.
Best planting days for fall potatoes,
turnips, onions, carrots, beets, and other
root crops where climate is suitable.
18-22 Grub out weeds, briars, and other
plant pests. 23-25 Favorable time for sowing
grains, hay, and fodder crops. Plant
flowers. Favorable days for planting root
crops. 26, 27 Start seedbeds. Good days
for transplanting. Plant carrots, beets,
onions, turnips, Irish potatoes, and other
root crops in the South. 28-30 Poor planting
days.
DECEMBER 1, 2 Plant sweet corn, beans,
peppers, and other aboveground crops
where climate is suitable. 3, 4 Barren
days. Fine for clearing, plowing, fertilizing,
and killing plant pests. 5-7 Extra good for
cucumbers, peas, cantaloupes, and other
vine crops. Plant peppers, sweet corn,
tomatoes, and other aboveground crops
in southern Florida, California, and Texas.
8, 9 A barren period. 10, 11 Fine for planting
beans, peppers, cucumbers, melons,
and other aboveground crops where climate
is suitable. 12, 13 Seeds planted now
tend to rot in ground. 14, 15 Start
seedbeds and flower gardens. Good days
for transplanting. Most favorable days for
planting beets, onions, turnips, and other
root crops where climate allows. 16-19 A
barren period. Favorable for killing plant
pests, cultivating, or even taking a short
vacation. 20-22 Plant flowers. Fine for
sowing hay, fodder crops, and grains. Favorable
days for planting your root crops.
23, 24 Start seedbeds. Good days for
transplanting. Plant carrots, beets,
onions, turnips, Irish potatoes, and other
root crops in the South. 25-27 Do no planting.
28, 29 First day is when any root
crops that can be planted now will do
well. Second day is when to plant sweet
corn, beans, peppers, and other aboveground
crops where climate is suitable.
30, 31 Barren days. Fine time for clearing,
plowing, fertilizing, and killing plant
pests.
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 195

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196
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

FREE BOOKLETS: Life, Immortality, Soul, Pollution
Crisis, Judgment Day, Restitution, sample
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Crafts
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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 197

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC 199

ADVERTISER INDEX
Please contact our advertisers to learn more or order products directly from them.
Affordable Hearing Aid ............................. 27, 67
MDHearingAid.com • 800-873-0680
Atlas of the Universe & Constellation Map .... 35
HeavensAtlas.com • HeavensAtlas@gmail.com
Bastyr University ............................................. 49
Bastyr.edu • 855-4-Bastyr • admissions@Bastyr.edu
Biffy Bag Pocket Size Disposable Toilet ...... 34
BiffyBag.com • 651-206-3078 • info@BiffyBag.com
Brazos Walking Sticks .................................... 32
Brazos-Walking-Sticks.com • 800-581-4352 •
info@BrazosSticks.com
Colloidal Silver Water .............................. 37, 105
ColloidalResearch.com • info@ColloidalResearch.com
Cranberry Ridge Farm Goat Milk Soap ... 35, 89
CranberryRidgeFarmNY.com • 315-964-9900 •
GoatMilk@frontier.com
D.R. Power Equipment ........ 3, 9, 31, 39, 47, 65, 99
DRPower.com • 800-687-6575
Dawn Publishing ...................................... 38, 173
DawnBible.com • 888-440-DAWN • DawnBible@aol.com
DIY Gardener’s Potting Table ........................... 89
JourneyToNatLiv.com
Doggles®Protective Eyewear for Dogs ........ 71
Doggles.com • 866-DOGGLES • info@Doggles.com
Dripping Springs Ollas ................................... 22
DrippingSpringsOllas.com • 512-227-4048 •
lori@DrippingSpringsOllas.com
Earthway Products, Inc. ........................... 30, 95
Earthway.com • 800-294-0671 • sales@Earthway.com
Excalibur Dehydrators ................................ 5, 55
Drying123.com • 800-875-4254 • marketing@Drying123.com
Fight Aging With Cosmeceutical Essentials ...85
Face4U.net • 612-269-5198 • fangshands@hotmail.com
Four Rivers,Inc.................................................... 19
FourRiversInc.com • 866-866-3287
Frank Cawood and Associates ....................... 51
FCA.com • 800-537-1275
Gempler’s ......... Inside Front & Back Cover, 165
Gemplers.com • 800-382-8473
GRANDMA’S Lye Soap .................................... 32
GRANDMA’S Pet Soap .................................... 71
GrandmasLyeSoap.com • 800-345-3925 •
sales@Remwood.com
Happy Valley Cider Presses............................ 22
HappyValleyRanch.com • 913-849-3103 •
info@HappyValleyRanch.com
Harvest Right In-Home Freeze Dryer ........... 29
HarvestRight.com • 800-495-0586
Johnny’s Selected Seeds ................................ 95
JohnnySeeds.com • 877-564-6697 •
customerservice@JohnnySeeds.com
Mantis Tiller/Cultivator .................................. 23
MantisTiller.com • 888-240-4556
MICRON Corporation ....................................... 57
MicronCorp.com • 800-456-0734 • info@MicronCorp.com
Morris Press Cookbooks ................................. 21
MorrisCookbooks.com • 800-445-6621 •
cookbook@MorrisCookbooks.com
Murphy Ranch Jumbo Pack Seeds ................ 91
MurphyRanchSeeds.com • 562-325-3429 •
MurphyRanchSeeds@gmail.com
Nesturf ............................................................... 11
Nesturf.com • 562-325-3429 • Nesturf@gmail.com
North Country Wind Bells .............................. 21
NorthCountryWindbells.com • 877-930-5435 •
NCBells@tidewater.net
Olbas Herbal Remedies ..................................... 79
Olbas.com • 800-523-9971 • OlbasInfo@Olbas.com
Penn Herb Company,Ltd .................. Back Cover
PennHerb.com • 800-523-9971 •
information-request@PennHerb.com
Pipeline Operators
for Ag Safety..................13, 15, 17, 121, 122, 123
PipelineAgSafety.org • PipelineAgSafety@gmail.com
Promote Your Company with the
Farmers’ Almanac .......................................... 172
FarmersAlmanac.com • 207-755-2929 •
KUllmann@FarmersAlmanac.com
Rataway Fragrance .......................................... 24
Rataway.com • 805-646-2177 • Ratawayman@aol.com
Sea Foam Sales Company .....................102, 103
SeaFoamSales.com • 952-938-4811 •
customerservice@SeaFoamSales.com
Smooth Gator 60 Second Pain Relief ............. 33
Smooth Gator Foot & Leg Rub ...................... 179
SmoothGator.com • 727-278-3137
Snow PusherLite .............................................. 49
SnowPusherLite.com • 248-410-3100 •
info@SnowPusherLite.com
Steve's Blinds & Wallpaper ...................... 35, 71
StevesBlindsAndWallpaper.com • 800-548-5711
sales@StevesBlinds.com
Taylor Manufacturing Company, Inc. ............49
PeaSheller.com • 800-985-5445
The Original Garden Broom ............................ 32
TheOriginalGardenBroom.com • 604-724-0872 •
gardenbroom@gmail.com
Tractor Supply Company ............................... 124
TractorSupply.com
U.S. Career Institute ........................................ 25
USCIEducation.com/FAA95 • 800-388-8765 •
admissions@USCareerInstitute.edu
Vermont, Marble, Granite, Slate &
Soapstone Co. ........................................................7, 185
VermontWoodStove.com • 802-468-8800
info@VermontWoodStove.com
Find Out How to
Advertise Your Company in the
2017 Farmers’ Almanac!
Contact:
Par Loomis
Arlington Publishers Representatives
p: 612-385-9659 f: 561-328-8128
PLoomis@ArlPub.com
200
2016 FARMERS’ ALMANAC

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