668 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



More damag-e to winter wheat resulted from the severe freeze of April 

 4 and the cold days following than was apparent last week. However, the 

 recent rains and slig-htly higher temperatures have caused some improve- 

 ment. 



Plowing for corn is well under way, especially sod. 



An increased acreage of sugar beets for manufacture is probable in the 

 sugar beet district of north-central Iowa if weather conditions permit 

 preparation for seeding. Onion and potato planting began in Mitchell 

 county where these crops are specialties, on the 15th. The extreme scarcity 

 and high price of good seed potatoes and the poor crop realized last year 

 will considerably reduce the acreage devoted to potatoes for the State as a 

 whole. Some planting has been reported in nearly all sections. 



Gardens are generally late. Apple buds are believed to have survived 

 the recent inclement weather, but considerable damage to other fruits has 

 probably occurred. 



Spring pigs, lambs, calves, chickens and colts have not thrived during 

 the cold wet weather that has prevailed so far in April. The spring pig 

 crop is not as large as usual. There is considerable complaint of small 

 litters. 



Grass is starting slowly and winter feed, especially roughage, is becom- 

 ing scarce in some sections. 



Bulletin No. 3, April 27, 1920 — 



Cool, cloudy, wet weather continued, the sunshine, being about half of 

 the normal. The largest excess in precipitation was in the western half 

 of the State where the total rainfall was above 1.00 inch at many sta- 

 tions. Tuesday and Wednesday were warm, the rest of the week was cold 

 with occasional freezing temperatures, except in the southeast portion. 

 The season is from 10 to 20 days late, but the weather map this morning 

 (27th) indicates increased sunshine and warmth. 



Seldom has the oats crop shown such a range of progress, varying 

 from green fields to further acreage to be seeded if the weather permits. 

 Seeded after this date the crop will be in grave danger from hot weather 

 at a critical stage. Soil conditions have been bad and the seed poorly 

 covered. There are many reports of the seed rotting. Many farmers 

 will reluctantly plant some acreage to corn that they intended for oats. 

 Spring wheat is starting very slowly,' many fields not showing green and 

 some seed has rotted. Winter wheat though progressing slowly is in fair 

 condition and will improve with the warmer weather and sunshine now in 

 prospect. The same is true of alalfa, clover, grasses and pastures. 



Considerable loss of spring pigs, lambs and chicks is reported, due to 

 '■he lack of sunshine and warmth. 



Plowing for corn and sugar beets is in progress but the amount accom- 

 plished is considerably less than usual for the time of year. 



Potatoes that have been in the ground four weeks are not up yet. 

 Considerable planting was done in the northern counties. In Mitchell 

 county not to exceed 15 per cent of the crop has been planted, and about 

 20 per cent of the onions. Truck and gardens are unusually late. Fruit 

 buds have been beneficially retarded by the cloudy, cold weather and are 

 believed to be in fair condition generally. Peaches and plums are in bloom 

 in the extreme southern counties. 



Bulletin No. 4, May 4, 1920 — 



The week opened cold with heavy to killing frosts and minimum tem- 

 peratures of 32 degrees or lower, the lowest being 26° at Inwood. Sunshine 

 was below normal, except in the east-central district. Rainfall was above 

 normal in the northwest portion, with frequent showers elsewhere. The 



