552 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



effects of dronght were felt in any section. The month closed with 

 the highest temperature since the summer of 1914, and the back- 

 v.ard corn made a remarkahle response to the excessively warm and 

 humid conditions. 



July was warm and dry. The average temperature was 5.6" 

 higher than the normal and readings above 100° were common on 

 several days. The average precipitation was considerably less than 

 one-half of the normal, and only six stations reported an excess. 

 While showers came at rather timely intervals, especially during 

 the first two decades of the month, the geographical distribution 

 was decidedly irregidar. In some localities moisture was needed 

 early in the month, but aetual droughty conditions did not set in 

 until the last decade. At that time all vegetation was in urgent 

 need of rain and potatoes, garden truck and pastures were suffer- 

 ing severely, while corn was imperiled. The extreme heat was try- 

 ing to both man and beast. Many persons were prostrated, some 

 fatally, and a large number of animals died. The conditions were, 

 however, unusually favorable for harvesting and threshing, owing 

 to the great number of clear, sunshiny days. 



August was marked by a continuance, but in a modified degree, 

 of the hot, dry weather that prevailed in July. The last decade was 

 colder than usual, and light frost occurred at a few northern sta- 

 tions on the 27th-28th. There was 70 per cent of the normal pre- 

 cipitation, and most of this came during the first half of the 

 month. The showers were of inestimable value to all growing 

 crops and especially corn. In some sections, however, that crop 

 had already been seriously damaged by dry weather. After the 

 15th but little rain fell in any part of the State until the last day 

 01 the month. 



September, as a whole, was pleasant and favorable for crops and 

 cut-door occupations. Much plowing was done, except in the 

 sou'^h-central districts, where the drought that began in July con- 

 tinued. Light to killing frosts occurred on the 15tli and 18th, and 

 killing frosts and freezing temperatures were almost general on 

 the 29th. The bulk of the corn crop was mature at the time of the 

 killing frosts, and the only injury done was to some of the late 

 planted corn and mostly on low ground. 



October was a typical autumn month, the average temperature, 

 rainfall and sunshine approximated the normal very closely. The 

 only feature out of the ordinary being a severe snowstorm on the 



