524 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



COMPARATIVE DATA FOR THE SlATE-MAROH 



T indicates an amount too small to measure, or less than .005 inch precipita- 

 tion, and less than .05 inch snowfall. 



APRIL. 



April, 1916, in Iowa was cold, cloudy and showery, and as respects the 

 growth of vegetation, backward. At the close of the month the season 

 was from one to two weeks late. Although the temperature did not 

 average more than 2° helow the normal, this deficiency would have been 

 doubled had not warm weather prevailed from the 11th to 13th, inclusive, 

 and on the 19th. The latter half of the month was almost continuously 

 cooler than usual, which fact doubtless accounts for the prevalent impres- 

 sion that the deficiency of temperature was greater than it proved to be. 

 Showers, generally light in character, were numerous throughout 

 the month, but the latter half was especially marked in this respect. 

 Only on the 2d was no precipitation reported from some part of the state. 

 The rain of the 29th-30th was the most general heavy fall of the month, 

 and owing to its slow, steady character, was of much benefit to small grain, 

 grass and gardens. The persistent cool weather retarded the growth of 

 vegetation and checked the development of fruit buds, but the showery 

 weather did not greatly delay farming operations. The close of the 

 month found oats seeding unfinished in parts of the northern division 

 of the state, yet on the other hand some preparation of ground for com 

 had been completed. In southeni counties corn planting was in progresa 



