504 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



in the southern counties, will be used for sorghum, Sudan grass, millet, etc., 

 and some will probably have to be abandoned. Small grain, grass, potatoes 

 and truck crops are doing well. Rye, early oats, timothy and clover are 

 heading and the first cutting of alfalfa is being cured. Cold rains during 

 the blooming period were injurious to strawberries. Other fruits are re- 

 ported to be in good condition generally, although high winds have caused 

 apples and pears to fall badly. Frost in the northern counties on the 

 morning of the 15th damaged garden truck, and in some localities on low 

 ground nipped corn and oats. 



Bulletin No. 12, June 26, 1917 — 



The weather during the last seven days was exceptionally favorable for 

 farming operations and the growth of crops. The temperature was about 

 normal and the rainfall was generally light, except in the northern coun- 

 ties, where heavy showers occurred, accompanied in some localities by 

 severe wind squalls which did some damage to crops. Corn cultivation 

 progressed rapidly and most fields are fairly clean. Much replanting was 

 done on late, overflowed bottom lands, but some fields intended for corn 

 will be devoted to catch crops. All small grain continues to do well. 

 Early oats, rye, barley and winter wheat are heading and in southern 

 counties early oats are well filled. First cutting of alfalfa secured in good 

 condition with fair yield. Meadows have improved, but the hay crop will 

 be light. Potatoes and all garden truck are in excellent condition, and a 

 good crop of early potatoes seems to be already assured. The set of apples 

 and other tree fruits is generally good south of central Iowa, but over the 

 northern counties the set is lighter on account of cold, rainy weather dur- 

 ing the blooming season. The June drop of apples is not yet over, but is 

 expected to be about normal. The damage to grapes by winterkilling In 

 Pottawattamie county is not as great as was anticipated. A good rain 

 would be very beneficial in the southwestern and south central counties. 



Bulletin No. 13, July 3, 1»17 — 



Another week of favorable weather has been very beneficial to the corn 

 crop and for farm work. While the temperature was not above the nor- 

 mal, there were several moderately warm days, and one excessively hot 

 day, which started the corn to growing rapidly. Fine progress was made 

 in cultivating, and most fields are clean. Considerable corn was planted 

 on the late flooded bottom lands in tlie southern counties, and much of it 

 is up. The crop, as a whole, is a week to ten days later than usual, but is 

 still very promising. All small grain is also late, and there will be very 

 little, if any, winter wheat or rye harvested before the 10th, but the pros- 

 pect for good yields is excellent. No haying has been done, but some 

 clover is ready to cut in the southern counties. The crop, however, is poor 

 on account of so much of it being winterkilled. Early potatoes are yield- 

 ing well and all garden truck is in excellent condition. Strawberries and 

 cherries are being harvested with fair yields. 



Bulletin No. 14, July 10, 1917^ 



The weather during the week was almost ideal for farm work. There 

 was a slight deficiency of temperature, and a decided deficiency of rainfall 

 generally, except in a few favored localities, especially in the east central 

 and extreme northwestern counties where heavy showers occurred. The 

 fore part of the week was cool, with the night temperatures near the frost 

 line in the northern districts, but the latter half of the week was much 

 warmer. Corn made rapid growth and much of it has been "laid by." 

 The crop is, however, very uneven in size. Some fields are nearly waist 

 high, while many fields are only a few inches high. All small grnln •••>ii 

 tlnues in good condition and filling well. The rye harvest has begun In 

 Henry and Des Moines counties, and early oats and winter wheat harvest 

 will become general in the southern counties by the latter part of the 

 coming week. Truck crops are excellent. 



