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The Great Debate

by Peter Geiger | Friday, September 26th, 2008 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

The Great Debate – no not the one tonight between McCain and Obama but the debate that is raging across the country between  the two most formidable signs of winter weather. One side is the persimmon seed. Legend is that you cut open a persimmon and if the seed is in the shape of a spoon it indicates lost of heavy snow. A knife shape means bitter cold and fork shape indicates a lighter snow/ mild winter.

The lowly woollybear caterpillar just crawls along doing his or her thing. If it has a large band of orange color, the indication is that it will be a mild winter. If it is mostly black, then it will be a rough winter.

So, what are the candidate saying about winter. So far the persimmon seeds are all about snow. I have had 30 reports from 13 states and over 100 seeds. 98% are spoons (snow) and 2% are a knife (bitter cold). These reports come from New England through Texas. On the other hand, the caterpillar is being extreme. Nine people are seeing either an all orange or all black caterpillar. We have had 5 orange (mild) sightings and 5 black (rough winter) reports. It is still early and I may make up a special weather map based on the signs being reported.

Let the great debate continue….. 

Technorati Tags:
McCain, Obama, Great Debate, Persimmon Seeds, Woolybear Caterpillars

3 comments

1 Tonya { 11.04.09 at 2:53 pm }

Here in Asheboro, NC we are having spoons in our persimmon seeds. Several seeds from different locations have been tested. The wooly worms are black also. We’re praying the predicitions will hold true with lots of snow.

2 Jo { 09.22.09 at 8:08 am }

Pleasantville, Ohio. Where can I find a persimmon seed?

3 Jo { 09.21.09 at 10:03 am }

I have seen three all black caterpillars, one in August and two this month.

4 Melissa { 10.19.08 at 6:57 pm }

Report from Marshfield Missouri, Persimmon seeds noted to have a spoon inside of 3 seeds! Watch out Missouri!!

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