502 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Field work was practically Impossible and the growth of vegetation is at 

 a standstill. About 25 per cent of the plowing for corn is yet to be done, 

 but with the favorable conditions now prevailing plowing will progress 

 rapidly during the coming week, and corn planting will be rushed in the 

 southern counties. All spring sown small grain is doing nicely and winter 

 wheat has improved some. All tree fruits seem to have escaped damage 

 fi'om the heavy frosts. Reports show serious damage to cane fruits. The 

 cold, wet weather has been hard on young lambs, pigs and chickens. 



The secretary of the State Horticultural Society reports condition of 

 fruit on May 1st as follows: "Apples, 79 per cent; pears, 85; American 

 plums, 85; cherries, 74; peaches, less than 5; grapes, 67; red raspberries, 56: 

 black raspberries, 62; blackberries, 60; strawberries, 74 per cent of a full 

 crop. The average condition of all fruits is 67 per cent, or one point 

 below the May average of last year. The condition of apples and cherry 

 trees is 9 per cent better than last year, and the cane fruits and straw- 

 berries about 10 per cent lower than a year ago. A severe cutting back 

 of injured canes of raspberries will improve the quality of the fruit. Clear, 

 warm weather for the next ten days will be a large factor in determining 

 the size and quality of the fruit crop in the state." 



Bulletin No. G, May 15, 1917 — 



The temperature is still considerably below the normal, but the rainfall 

 was light and the week was favorable for farm work, which progressed 

 rapidly. Much corn ground was plowed and corn planting is well started 

 with the soil in excellent tilth. Warmer weather prevailing during the 

 latter part of the week has started growth and all conditions are now 

 promising even though the season is late. Corn planting will be general 

 during the coming week, and with favorable weather the bulk of the crop 

 will be in by the 23d. The increased acreage and the extra amount of 

 plowing to be done will, however, run planting up to the end of the month. 

 The remnant of winter wheat is still improving and all other small grain 

 is looking well. The acreage of corn, spring wheat, oats and potatoes will 

 be larger than last year, but hay will be short. Some alfalfa is being 

 sown with oats, the latter to be cut for hay. Early potatoes are coming 

 up. Pastures continue backward, but are improving. All tree fruits are 

 in full bloom over the southern half of the state, and are promising except 

 possibly late winter apples, the bloom on which appears to be light in 

 some localities. 



Bulletin No. 7, May 22, 1917 — 



The weather was ideal for growth of vegetation and for field work up 

 to Sunday afternoon when general rains set in with much lower tem- 

 perature. There were, however, damaging wind, hail and electrical storms 

 over the northeast and north central districts on the night of the 18th, 

 which did some damage to crops and property. The temperature was 

 much higher, with maxima up to or near 90 on two or three days. Under 

 such favorable conditions all vegetation made very rapid growth and field 

 work was rushed. About 70 to 75 per cent of a greatly increased corn 

 acreage has been planted, and the early planted corn is up and shows a 

 good stand. Considerable plowing for corn is yet to be done, especially 

 on bottom ground. Winter wheat is stooling nicely and all small grain, 

 grass, potatoes and garden truck made material improvement, and will be 

 still further benefited by the copious to heavy rains at the close of the 

 week, although the cool weather will check the rapid growth. Apples, 

 cherries, plums and strawberries are still promising, but cane fruits and 

 grapes will be short. An increased acreage of sugar beets is reported 

 .from some of the north central counties. 



