SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 553 



19th and 20th, Avhen snow fell in all parts of the State except the 

 extreme eastern counties. Several stations in the northwestern dis- 

 tricts reported more than 5.0 inches of snowfall, and in numerous 

 localities the drifts Avere several feet deep. This storm, together 

 with frequent rains betAveen the 20th and 28th, interferred with 

 corn husking, which had beg-un earlier than usual. Husking was, 

 however, resumed during the last few days of the month and 20 to 

 30 per cent of the crop had been gathered by the close of the month. 

 Stock was in pasture, and in many localities flowers were in bloom 

 at the end of the month. 



Like the preceding month, November, as a whole, was a verj^ 

 pleasant autumn month, yet at times the conditions were unusual. 

 The most marked feature being the cold spell from the 13 di to 15th, 

 inclusive, when the lowest temperature of record, for the first half 

 of November, occurred at many stations. Heavy rains on the 7th- 

 8th were followed by snow on the llth-12th, but the remainder of 

 the month was mostly bright and clear, making favorable conditions 

 for all kinds of outdoor occupations. Practically all of the corn 

 was harvested and considerable plowing was done. 



The only marked variations from the normal for December were 

 the unusually high temperatures during the first week, the almost 

 continuous cold during the remainder of the month, and the thun- 

 derstorm on Christmas evening or night, which was accompanied 

 by rain, sleet and wind squalls. The rain froze as it fell and cov- 

 ered everything with a glaze of ice, which delayed railway and 

 street car traffic and did much damage to telegraph and telephone 

 lines. The ice harvest began in many localities on the 26th. 



WEATHER AND CROP BULLETINS. 



Summaries of Weekly Bulletins Issued During the Season of 1916, for 

 the Weeks Ending on Dates Given. 



Bnlletin No. 1, April 11, 1916 — 



With the exception of severe sleet and Ice storms early in February, 

 favorable conditions prevailed during- the winter, and while cold weather, 

 with freezing- temperatures at night, has prevailed most of the time thus 

 far this spring-, farm work is progressing- rapidly over the southern half of 

 the state. Frost is not yet all out of the ground in the northern sections 

 and the ground, is, in most places, too wet to work. The bulk of the small 

 grain seeding is finished in the southern counties and considerable plow- 

 ing has been done for corn with the soil in excellent condition. Reports 

 vary as to condition of fall-sown grains, but there is no doubt but what 

 the crops have been seriously damaged in many localities and the acreage 

 of winter wheat has been greatly reduced. Many reports indicate 15 to 



