S18 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



CLIMATE AND CROP REVIEW 



Season 1913. 



WEATHER AND CROP REVIEW BY MONTHS. 



The year 1913 was characterized by a cold and wet spring, an ex- 

 cessively hot and dry summer, an early autumn with frosts and freezing 

 temperatures in September, followed during the last two months by mild 

 and generally pleasant weather. The drought during the summer months 

 was exceptionally severe in the southern counties, and materially re- 

 duced the yield of corn in that section and reduced the output of potatoes 

 in all parts of the state. But for the state as a whole the output of 

 soil products was considerably above the average of past years, and 

 high prices made it the most valuable crop ever produced in the history 

 of the state. 



January and February were unusually pleasant, with an excess of 

 temperature and a deficiency of precipitation although there was nearly 

 the normal amount of snow which was beneficial to fall sown grains 

 during the time of the lowest temperatures. On several days the tem- 

 perature was considerably below zero but there were no severe winter 

 storms. 



March was cold, wet and changeable Avith frequent high winds, and 

 in many localities destructive wind storms. The most marked features 

 were the low temperatures on the 2d and the destructive wind storms 

 on the afternoon and night of Easter Sunday, the 23d. The 2d was 

 not only the coldest day of the month but at nearly all stations it was 

 the coldest day of the winter, and at many stations the temperature was 

 the lowest of record for the month of March. Precipitation was fre- 

 quent and at times heavy between the 12th and 25th; the greatest 

 amounts being recorded between the 13th and 15th. As a whole, the 

 month was unfavorable for farm operations. Practically no field work 

 was done until the last three or four days, when a little plowing and 

 seeding was done. Fall sown grains, clover, grasses and fruits were, 

 however, in fine condition with scarcely any indications of winter killing. 



With the exception of the five days from the 7th to lltli, inclusive, 

 when precipitation was almost continuous, April was a pleasant month 

 and favorable for farm operations. One; of the heaviest snowstorms of 

 record occiiri-cd over tlu; west central and northwestern counties on 

 the 9tli and lOtli. Considerable damage was done to trees, and in 

 Sioux City, where more than 20 inches fell, street car service was sus- 

 pended for 36 hours, and telephone and lighting service were badly de- 

 moralized. Freezing temperatures occurred in all parts of the state 

 on one or more nights and were unreasonably low between the 26th 



