728 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Monday forenoon relieved the baked condition of the soil resulting from the 

 long wet period, made plowing easier, softened the clods which are un- 

 usually numerous and benefited grasses. 



Winter wheat has been improved by the dry weather, the complaints of 

 ranknes^, lodging and yellowness having diminished materially. Consider- 

 able heading is reported in the southern counties. Other small grains are 

 in excellent condition. Grass would be improved by warm showers. Alfalfa 

 io nearly ready to cut in Scott county. 



Cherries and plums are dropping badly in many sections due to the 

 heavy frosts and cloudy, wet weather the first days of May. Apple and 

 small fruit prospects continue good. 



Bulletin IVo. 8, May 27, 1019 — 



Except over the southeast and portions of the east-central and south- 

 central districts, where the rain occurred on several days, the weather 

 conditions for farm work during the past week were the most favorable 

 of the S'eason and over the greater portion of the state were carried on with- 

 out interruption. Plant growth was retarded by cool conditions in south- 

 eastern, and the districts to the north and west and over much of the 

 western and central districts by the soil being too dry and hard. 



Corn planting was pushed and over much of the northern and western 

 districts it is practically completed; over the southeastern districts it is 

 from 60 to 75 per cent completed. The early planted corn is coming up over 

 the entire state and a good stand is shown except where the soil is too dry 

 for proper germination and in some very wet fields. Cultivation of corn 

 has started over many sections and will soon be general. 



The condition of winter wheat and other small grain continues good, 

 though many winter wheat fields are too rank and some fields are showing- 

 yellow on account of too much moisture and some rust has appeared in a 

 few isolated fields. Winter wheat and rye are starting to head in a few 

 fields as far north as the northern counties in the central division. Pastures 

 and meadows in general continue in excellent condition but showers would 

 be beneficial over most of the western, central and northern portions of the 

 state and warmer weather is necessary for plant growth. 



The prospect for an apple and berry crop is encouraging, but the cherry 

 and plum crop will not be as good as expected. 



Bulletin No. 0, June 3, 1919 — 



Warm, sunshiny weather followed by copious rains beginning Saturday 

 and continuing Tuesday morning made ideal conditions for field work and 

 crop progress. Temperatures averaged 4 degrees above normal. This was 

 the first week since April 8th with temperatures above the seasonal nor- 

 mal. On May 30th, 90 degrees or higher was reached at many places for the 

 first time this season. 



Rank growth of winter wheat and rye has been checked by three weeks 

 of relatively dry weather, yet some of the rankest was lodged by heavy 

 rains and local wind Squalls. Winter wheat is well headed out in the south 

 and beginning to head in the north. There are some reports of rust. Rye 

 is well headed in all sections and beginning to turn slightly in places. 



Less than 5 per cent of the corn crop remains to be planted; probably 80 

 per cent shows the rows across the fields and a good stand; cultivation 

 has begun in all sections and in the northeast the second cultivation has 

 begun in a few fields. Though late, the crop is rapidly catching up and 

 ten days of warm weather would bring it up to normal. Damage from cut 

 worms and wire worms will necessitate some replanting as usual, but the 

 amount will be much less than last year. 



Oats, spring wheat and barley are making good progress. Some alfalfa 

 has been cut in the southwest and cutting will become general in the 

 southern half of the state this week. The crop is the largest in years. 

 Clover and timothy are very promising and pastures excellent. 



