FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 783 



cultivation of corn and flooded the bottom lands, while in the southern 

 districts grass, small grain and early potatoes were suffering from lack 

 of moisture. Corn made remarkably rapid growth, and at the close of 

 the month the bulk of the crop was laid by with fields in excellent 

 condition. 



July was notable for heat and dryness. With the exception of July, 

 1901, it was the warmest month of that name in 25 years. But few severe 

 storms occurred, the most important being those of the 16th and 27th. 

 The former was more widespread, and much damage was done to corn 

 and grain. Corn was in such excellent condition at the close of June that 

 it withstood the drought remarkably well, but considerable deterioration 

 took place in southern counties as the month progressed. Haying and 

 harvesting were practically completed under favorable conditions. Pas- 

 tures were cut short by the drought, especially in southern counties, and 

 in some places stock had to go on feed. 



The hot and dry weather that prevailed during July continued until 

 the 18th of August, culminating on the 16th, 17th and 18th with high 

 temperatures and hot, dry winds. From the 19th to the close of the month 

 the temperature was generally moderate and showers were more frequent. 

 The 16th and 17th were among the worst days ever experienced in Iowa. 

 The temperature was near or above 100 degrees, with wind velocities 

 ranging from 25 to 36 miles per hour, bright sunshine and extremely low 

 humidity. All vegetation, especially over the southern half of the state, 

 suffered greatly by these adverse conditions. While August will go on 

 record as a dry month, and great damage was done by the drought, yet 

 rain fell at some point in the State on every day of the month. The show- 

 ers were, however, widely scattered and of but slight benefit, except in a 

 few localities of small area, until near the close of the month. Copious 

 and quite general showers occurred on the 23d, 27th and 31st, which af- 

 forded great relief to vegetation, and put the ground in condition for 

 plowing. The month closed with severe local wind, rain and electrical 

 storms in many localities. Wind damaged trees and buildings, and wind 

 and rain seriously injured the corn crop. 



September was the wettest month of that name in the history of the 

 State, and, with one exception — July, 1902 — it was the wettest month of 

 record since state-wide observations began in 1890. Showers were fre- 

 quent between the 1st and 24th, and in many localities the rainfall was 

 heavy to excessive, the greatest monthly amount being 16.24 inches at 

 Lenox, and the greatest amount in 24 consecutive hours was 7.78 inches 

 at Cedar Rapids. The long, severe drought of July and August was thor- 

 oughly broken, and at the close of the month pastures were as green as 

 in May or June. Much fall plowing was done and a large acreage of 

 winter wheat had been seeded. 



With the exception of frequent and general showers between the 5th 

 and 14th of October, and light scattered showers on the 22d and 23d, the 

 weather was unusually mild and pleasant and favorable for farm and 

 construction work. The first cool wave of the season spread over the 

 State between the 24th and 27th, causing the first killing frost in all 

 sections, except in the extreme northwestern corner of the State, where 



