TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII 725 



saturated the soil, and though January was deficient in precipitation, the 

 soil continued more than usually moist till the last 10 days of March 

 when it dried rapidly. At no time was the ground deeply frozen. Plowing 

 wa^ done at intervals in each of the winter months. More than the usal 

 amount of plowing was done last fall. Seeding was about half finished 

 in the southern tier of counties by the close of March and beginning in 

 the central counties. The mild moist winter was exceptionally favorable 

 for winter wheat, rye, grasses, clover and alfalfa. Very little winterkilling 

 is reported. Peach buds were abnormally advanced by the warm weather 

 of January and will be nearly a failure in the Southern counties. 



The past week was warm, averaging about 5 degrees warmer than 

 normal, and ranging from as low as 23 in the north on the 1st to 80 in the 

 south on the 6th. Showers were abundant and sunshine was slightly de- 

 ficient. Field work progressed rapidly except in the northeast where the 

 soil is too wet. In most sections spring wheat Jfeedlng is completed or 

 nearing completion and the acreage will probably not quite equal that 

 of last year. Oats seeding is advancing rapidly. Plowing for corn is be- 

 ginning. All vegetation made rapid progress; grass m pastures and lawns 

 is green. The outlook for a hay crop is promising. Winter wheat never 

 looked better on thi^ date. 



Live stock wintered well generally, though the spring pig crop is slightly 

 disappointing as to size and strength of litters due to effects of influenza 

 on brood sows and to lack of supplementary feeds. The lamb crop is 

 unusually large and fine. 



As a whole, the crop outlook is highly satisfactory. 



The Secretary of the State Horticultural Society reports the condition 

 of fruit on April 1st as follows: 



"Apples, 90 per cent; pears, 60; Americana plums, 94; Domestica plums, 79; 

 Japanese plums, 69; cherries, SS; peaches, 43; grapes, 91; red raspberries, 

 S6; black raspberries, 88; blackberries, 84; currants, 90; gooseberries, 94; 

 strawberries, 82 per cent of perfect condition. The average for all fruits 

 is 81 per cent, or five points above normal for April, on a 15-year average. 

 Conditions are favorable for a good frUit crop this year from the present 

 outlook based on the condition of the plants and fruit buds." 



Bulletin Jio. 2, April 15, 1919 — 



Rainy, cloudy weather with from 15 to 30 per cent of the possible sun- 

 shine characterized the weather of the week. Light snows occurred from 

 Monona county northward. Temperatures averaged about 6 degrees below 

 normal in the Missouri River counties, about normal in the northeast and 

 2 to 5 degrees above normal in southeast. The range was from slightly 

 below 32 to about 69. 



Three or fours days of showery weather stopped field work generally, 

 except in the southeast counties where the showers' were light. Not more 

 than half the intended acreage has been seeded to oats in the central dis- 

 tricts and much less in the north. In many cases the oats have been 

 sowed but there ha^ been no opportunity to cover them. The acreage 

 will be somewhat reduced unless favorable weather comes soon. Spring 

 wheat and oats are up and show good stands in the south. Winter wheat 

 made excellent progress; in fact, it is reported as too rank in several south- 

 ern counties and is beginning to stem abnormally early in some localities. 

 Meadows and pastures are starting nicely. As rough feed is scarce, pastur- 

 ing has begun in some localities and will become general in about two 

 weeks, if warm, sunshiny weather hastens growth. 



While some gardening has been done, this work i^ being delayed beyond 

 the usual time. Early potatoes are up in the southeast counties. 



Early gathered and carefully stored seed corn is testing well, as usual, 

 though there are about the usual number of complaints from those who 

 failed to take due care. 



