64 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



seasonably low temperature during the latter part of the month checked 

 the growth of corn and cotton to some extent, and heavy rains during the 

 last week seriously interfered with wheat harvest and caused some dam- 

 age to grain in shock, while excessive rains in localities resulted in the 

 total loss of some wheat, and considerable damage to other crops on bot- 

 tom lands by the overflowing of streams. The heavy rains also damaged 

 oats considerably in some places, beating them down so that they could 

 not be cut with binders. In a few of the eastern counties drouth con- 

 ditions prevailed until the 19th, retarding the growth of all crops to a 

 greater or less extent, but during the last decade of the month that sec- 

 tion was visited by copious rains, and the condition of crops was much 

 improved. On the whole, however, the month was favorable and the 

 general outlook most encouraging. The greater part of the corn crop 

 was laid by in excellent condition, and cotton, in the southeastern coun- 

 ties, also did well. Wheat harvest began in the southern sections about 

 the loth, and was practically finished by the close of the month, except 

 in a few of the extreme northern counties. The heads were generally 

 well filled and the crop promised to be the largest ever grown in the State. 

 Rye was also an excellent crop. In a few of the eastern counties oats 

 suffered somewhat from lack of moisture during the middle of the month, 

 but, in general, they did well until the heavy rains of the last week caused 

 them to lodge badly. Cutting was begun in the extreme southern coun- 

 ties about the 15th, but was retarded by rains. Meadows improved 

 steadily throughout the month, and at the close a good yield was indicated 

 in most sections. Pastures were excellent. Flax, in the southwestern 

 counties, was reported in poor condition in localities, but in general did 

 fairly well, as did also melons in the southeastern counties. Potatoes 

 and gardens were exceptionally fine, and sorghum, millet and cow peas 

 made good growth. Peaches did well in the extreme southern counties, 

 and shipments began about the 25th, but the apple crop continued to de- 

 cline until at the close of the month less than half a crop was expected. 

 July. — As regards temperature the month of July was unusually 

 pleasant; the mean temperature for the State. 77.0 degrees, was practi- 

 cally normal, and there were comparatively few days with maximum 

 temperature above 90 degrees. The highest local monthly mean, 80.3 

 degrees, occurred at St. Louis, and the lowest, 73.6 degrees, at Concep- 

 tion. The highest temperature recorded during the month was 103 

 degrees, at Poplar BlufT on the 15th, and the lowest, 50 degrees, at 

 Potosi on the 21st. The average number of days with maximum tem- 

 perature above 90 degrees ranged from 16 in the southeast section to 5 

 in the northwest section, the average for the State being 9. The precipi- 

 tation of the month was yer^ unevenly distributed, being exceptionally 



