TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII 675 



(final crop), 84; currants, (final crop), 80; peaches, 30; Domestica plums. 61; 

 Japanese plums, 53 per cent. The average for all fruits is 68 per cent 

 which is 21 per cent higher than the condition report of one year ago, and 

 8 per cent lower than the June 1, 1920 report." 



Bulletin No. 14, July 13, 1920— 



Abundant rains and moderate temperatures have been generally favor- 

 able for crops, though haying has been delayed and some clover damaged 

 by the rains. 



Corn has made excellent progress, in spite of the cool weather. It is 

 farther advanced than usual in the central and northern districts and aver- 

 ages not more than a week later than normal in the backward southern 

 districts, where it is catching up rapidly. Tassels are showing all over 

 the State and most of the crop is laid by with the fields generally clean of 

 weeds and in good condition. The soil is abundantly stored with moisture. 

 Corn could now stand considerable drouth and yet mature a good crop if 

 future sunshine and temperatures are favorable. It is yet too early to say 

 that the corn crop is assured. 



Winter wheat harvest is in full progress northward to the central 

 counties when the weather will permit. The cool weather has favored 

 the filling of the heads and good yields and quality are indicated. Early 

 oats harvest is well along in the southern counties and beginning as far 

 north as Polk county. Though the straw is short and the stand thin and 

 patchy, early harvest reports indicate that this crop will be better than 

 expected, the recent cool, moist weather having filled the heads. Late oats 

 have likewise been benefited and are now quite promising. Barley is turning 

 and will soon be ready to cut. 



Diseases of small grains which have been conspicuous by their absence 

 this season, became noticeable this week, but too late in the season to 

 cause serious damage. Black stem rust is reported in Woodbury and some 

 other counties and closed smut in the central Mississippi coynties. 



Hail storms were unusually prevalent particularly on the 7th, but also 

 on the 8th and 9th. Large damage to crops occurred in Clayton, Dallas, 

 Davis, Mahaska, Polk, Scott and Winneshiek counties and lesser damage 

 in Buena Vista, Clinton, Fayette, Harrison, Marion, Pottawattamie and 

 Union. The damage will probably total more than a half million dollars. 

 That in Scott county alone approximates $100,000, mostly covered by in- 

 surance. 



Late potatoes were greatly improved by the cool rainy weather of the 

 week. Early potatoes are being used in the south half of the State though 

 the quality and yield are not satisfactory. 



Reports to the Co-operative Crop Reporting Service showed the fol- 

 lowing percentage condition of crops on July 1: Corn, 90; oats, 83; spring 

 wheat, 85; winter wheat, 86; barley, 88; rye, 90; flax, 90; potatoes, 90; hay, 

 88; pasturc-s, 96; alfalfa, 94 per cent. All crops were below the 10-year 

 average except hay and pastures. The high condition of pastures is ac- 

 counted for by the decrease in the numbers of live stock. Corn acreage is 

 about 2 per cent greater than last year and approximates 10,200,000 acres. 



Bulletin No. 15, July 20, 1920 — 



Rainfall averaged nearly normal, though excessive downpours occurred 

 In Monroe and Wayne counties. Some overflow occurred along the lower 

 Des Moines River, but the damage to crops is relatively small. The soil 

 is well filled with moisture and no place in the State is suffering from a 

 deficiency. Temperatures so far in July have averaged low for the time 

 of year, but warm enough in connection with frequent showers to cause 

 considerable increase in the diseases of small grain in the west-central 

 and northwest portions of the State. 



