490 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



COMPARATIVE DATA FOR THE STATE— NOVEMBER. 



T indicates an amount too small to measure, or less than .005 inch 

 precipitation and less than .05 inch snowfall. 



DECEMBER. 



December, 1917, mean temperature, 14.5°, is the lowest in the 28 years 

 of state-wide records, the next coldest being 15.1° in December, 1909. 

 Zero days were the most frequent of record. The largest temperature 

 deficiencies were in the northwestern portion of the State. Sunshine was 

 deficient, particularly in the eastern portion. Precipitation was deficient, 

 except in portions of Lyon, Sioux, O'Brien, Cherokee, Webster and Hamil- 

 ton counties. The ground was snow-covered about 25 days in the extreme 

 northwestern portion of the State, and less than 15 days in the south- 

 western and east-central counties. 



Although weather conditions seemed unfavorable, corn husking pro- 

 gressed, so that at the close of the month not more than 15 per cent of 

 the crop remained in the field. Conditions were favorable for cribbed 

 corn. Though severe temperatures prevailed for considerable periods, 

 they were preceded and accompanied by porous snow covering, so it is be- 

 lieved that such winter wheat as was well established at the beginning 

 of winter, is in good condition. 



Pressure. — The mean pressure (reduced to sea level) for the State was 

 30.26 inches. The highest recorded was 31.09 inches, at Sioux City on the 



