Smudge Clocker

Bald, middle-aged Floyd Young, who broadcasts weather news in a dreary, ticktock, statistical monotone, is quite a radio favorite in Southern California. If he goes over his allotted time, Los Angeles station KFI cuts out its NBC network show until he finishes.

This week Meteorologist Young begins his fifth season of frost-forecasting. Nightly, he gives the temperature lows expected, and forecasts the time of their arrival in farm communities. The fruit farmers all listen. If he announces, "Cucamonga, 31DEG, 5 a.m.," Cucamonga's farmers set their alarms accordingly, light their smudge pots and save their trees. Broadcaster Young has also acquired a large following among women: if his news is bad and smudges are indicated, they bring in the wash.

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