824 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Bulletin No. 8, for the week ending May 25. — Another unfavorable week 

 has been added to the record of this belated season. The average tem- 

 perature was about 6 degrees below, and the rainfall was much in excess 

 of the normal over the larger part of the state. The first half of the week 

 was especially unfavorable, it being cool, cloudy and wet, but the latter 

 half was somewhat better, and gave two days of sunshine. Farm work 

 was practically at a standstill until Friday, but corn planting was rushed 

 on Friday and Saturday. Probably not more than 30 or 35 per cent of 

 the crop has been planted, and unless drier weather and more favorable 

 conditions come soon the anticipated acreage of corn will be materially 

 reduced. Much of the corn that is up is yellow, and some of the later 

 planting is reported to be rotting in the ground. The cold, wet and 

 cloudy weather is also detrimental to garden truck, and is causing too 

 rank a growth of oats, wheat and clover. Light frost occurred in many 

 localities on the morning of the 23d, but no damage was done, and the 

 fruit prospects are still promising. 



Bulletin No. 9, for the week ending June 1. — The last week of May 

 brought a marked improvement, and the weather conditions during the 

 six working days were ideal for field work and the germination and 

 growth of vegetation. Excessively high temperatures and almost con- 

 tinuous sunshine prevailed, with no rain after Monday noon, except a 

 few light local showers on Friday morning, until Saturday night. Rapid 

 progress was made in planting corn, and 80 to 85 per cent of the crop is 

 now in. The early planting is up and shows a good stand. Cultivation 

 is in progress in many fields, but there is considerable plowing yet to 

 be done on low wet ground. With a continuance of the warm, dry 

 weather practically all of the corn will be planted by the close of the 

 coming week, but if wet weather prevails the acreage will be considerably 

 less than it was last year. Winter wheat and rye are heading in southern, 

 and rye is in blossom in central counties. All small grain, grass and 

 clover are making rank growth. Potatoes and garden truck are doing 

 nicely, and fruits are promising. 



Bulletin No. 10, for the week ending June 8. — With the exception of 

 heavy local rains in a few localities and the cool weather during the last 

 two days, the past week was ideal for farm work and the growth of 

 vegetation. The average temperature was very nearly the normal, and 

 over the larger part of the state the rainfall was much less than the 

 seasonable average. A torrential downpour occurred in Poweshiek county 

 on Friday afternoon, which did a great deal of damage to crops, railroads 

 and other property. At Grinnell, 4.75 inches of rain fell between 3 p. m. 

 and 6:30 p. m. The bulk of the corn is planted, and much of it has 

 been cultivated once. There is however, some low land which is still too 

 wet to plow or plant. The late planting is coming strong and is grow- 

 ing rapidly. Small grain is getting rank, too rank in fact for heavy 

 yields. A large hay crop is assured, and pastures are in excellent condi- 

 tion. In many sections plums did not set well, but apples and small 

 fruits are still promising. 



