TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I 13 



first 5 days. The early corn received the most damage, as the pollen was 

 mostly destroyed by the hot winds; and as a result there was poor and 

 uneven fertilization, and in some localities there are many barren stalks. 



Pastures were bare and afforded no feed for stock; early potatoes were 

 practically a complete failure, and the late varieties were seriously injured 

 and in a critical condition. All small streams are dry, wells are low and 

 -water for stock is very scarce; and, as a result, many farmers are selling 

 their live stock. The drought is the worst that has prevailed since 1894, 

 and the temperature during the first five days of the month was the highest 

 ever recorded in the state so early in July, and the highest on record ex- 

 cept during the hot wave in the latter part of July, 1901. The dry, sun- 

 shiny weather was, however, favorable for securing the hay and small 

 grain crops and for thrashing. On account of the droughty conditions that 

 prevailed during the spring and early summer months, the hay crop was 

 very light, but small grain, especially winter wheat, turned out better than 

 was anticipated. 



Temperatuke. — The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown 

 by the records of 113 stations, was 75.5°, which is 2.1° above the normal for 

 Iowa. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern 

 section, 73.6°, which is 1.5° above the normal; Central section, 75.3°, which 

 is 1.6° above the normal; Southern section, 77.5°, which is 3.0° above the 

 normal. The highest monthly mean, 79.6°, at Leon, Decatur County, and 

 the lowest monthly mean, 70.4°, at Elma, Howard County. The highest 

 temperature reported was 111°, at Bloomfield, Davis County, on the 3d 

 and 5th; and at Jefferson, Greene County, and Keosauqua, Van Buren 

 County, on the 5th; the lowest temperature reported was 38°, at Elma, 

 Howard County, on the 17th. The average of the monthly maxima was 

 106°, and the average of the monthly minima was 45°. The greatest daily 

 range was 50°, at Decorah, Winnishiek County, and at Webster City, Ham- 

 ilton County. The average of the greatest daily ranges was 40°. 



Precipitatiox. — The average precipitation for the state, as shown by 

 the records of 123 stations, was 2.27 inches, which is 2.17 inches below 

 the normal. By sections the averages were as follows: Northern section, 

 2.42 inches, which is 1.86 inches below the normal; Central section, 2.34 

 inches, which is 2.17 inches below the normal; Southern section, 2.04 

 inches, which is 2.50 inches below the normal. The greatest amount, 6.62 

 inches, occurred at Elkader, Clayton County, and the least, 0.08 inch, at 

 Jefferson, Greene County. The greatest amount in twenty-four hours, 2.73 

 inches, occurred at Davenport, Scott County, on the 28th. Measurable pre- 

 cipitation occurred on an average of 7 days. 



SuNSHHNE AND CLOUDINESS. — The average number of clear days was 18; 

 partly cloudy, 10; cloudy, 3. The duration of sunshine was above the 

 normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 87 at Charles City; 

 77 at Davenport; 83 at Des Moines; 71 at Dubuque; 80 at Keokuk; and 

 82 at Sioux City. 



Wind. — South winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported was 41 

 miles per hour from the northwest, at Sioux City, Woodbury County, on 

 the 23d. 



