TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII 673 



Gardens and truck crops need rain, but are making good progress. There 

 is some complaint of a thin stand of onions in Mitchell county. About 75 

 per cent of the commercial cabbage has been planted and the acreage has 

 been considerably increased. Late and replanted sugar beets are awaiting 

 rain to germinate the seed. 



Alfalfa is being cut generally and is a fair crop. Red and white clover 

 is in bloom except in the northern counties. The hay crop is being reduced 

 a certain amount by each day the hot, dry weather continues. Pastures 

 are holding their own well in spite of the unfavorable weather. 



Reports tabulated by the Iowa Weather and Crop Service show that on 

 May 15, 36 per cent of the intended corn acreage of the State has been 

 planted as compared with 40 per cent on that date last year and that on 

 June 1, 91 per cent had been planted as compared with 95 per cent last 

 year. The percentage condition of the crop on June 1 was 88 as compared 

 with 95 per cent last year and a ten-year average of 92. The condition of 

 potatoes was 90 as compared with 97 last year. Reports to the Iowa Co- 

 operative Crop Reporting Service June 1 show the condition of oats as 92; 

 spring wheat, 88; winter wheat, 83; barley, 92; rye, 90; all hay, 93; pastures, 

 93; alfalfa, 90; all of which are below the average of the last 10 years. 

 The condition of winter wheat is the lowest since 1903. 



Telegraphic reports Tuesday morning show good showers over the 

 northern part of the State. 



Bulletin No. 11, June 22, 1920 — 



Much cooler weather beginning Wednesday, 16th, was beneficial for 

 small grains which were in or approaching the critical heading and bloom- 

 ing period. Reports are somewhat conflicting as to the effect of the hot 

 weather of the preceding week on small grains, but in general no serious 

 damage occurred. Spring wheat and oats are in fair to good condition 

 and heading generally, but short. Winter wheat is blooming and filling 

 and promises nearly an average condition generally. All small grains need 

 rain badly in the southern and to some extent in the central districts, 

 where in many places the ground is baked hard and large cracks have ap- 

 peared. 



Corn cultivation was pushed rapidly, except where' delayed by rain in 

 some northern localities. The earliest is knee high and has been cultivated 

 three times, while the second cultivation is far advanced except in the 

 backward southern districts. Fields are generally clean of weeds and 

 grass in spite of the shortage of farm labor. A light touch of frost, but no 

 damage, was reported from lowlands in some north-central and northeast 

 counties on the night of the 17th. The nights were generally too cool 

 for the best growth of corn. 



Clover harvest is beginning but the crop was considerably reduced by 

 the recent hot, dry weather in the south and central districts. Other hay 

 is reduced by the same causes, except alfalfa, most of which has been cut 

 the first time and yields well. The weather has been ideal in most sections 

 for harvesting alfalfa and clover, and the crop, so far, has been put up in 

 splendid condition. 



Strawberry picking is about over in the southern counties where the 

 crop was somewhat reduced by heat and drouth. Early cherries are on 

 the market except in the northern districts. All fruits need rain, except 

 in the northern counties. 



Bulletin Nov 12, June 29, 1920 — 



Cool weather continued till Saturday, 26th, when it turned much warmer. 

 Hot, strong, southerly winds Sunday and Monday, caused the corn leaves 

 to roll and wilted garden truck in the central district and east and south 

 where precipitation has been generally deficient for the past few weeks. 

 Good rains Monday night, 28th, over most of the drouthy area will be of 



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