14 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



AUGUST. 



August was, as a whole, a very pleasant month; both the average temper- 

 ature and rainfall were very nearly the normal for the state, the temper- 

 ature being only 0.1°, and the rainfall .67 inch below the normal. With the 

 exception of the 10th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, when the highest temperatures 

 for the month were recorded, the weather was moderate, yet there was 

 sufficient heat to promote the healthful growth of vegetation, and corn 

 made rapid advancement toward maturity. The only cool period was on 

 the 28th and 29th, when light frost was observed on low ground in some 

 localities in the northern districts, but no damage was done to staple crops. 

 The rainfall was very unevenly distributed, the monthly amounts ranging 

 from less than an inch in Mahaska, Lucas, Keokuk, Jefferson and Wapello 

 Counties to over 9 inches in Winneshiek County. Over the northeastern 

 quarter of the state and in a few localities in the northwestern counties, 

 the rainfall was considerably above the normal, but over most of the 

 southern and southwestern sections the drought continued during the en- 

 tire month, and yet there was not much deterioration in the condition of 

 cropi?, as the few showers that did occur were sufficiently heavy to keep 

 all vegetation, except pasturage, alive. The heavy rains in the northeastern 

 counties caused rapid growth of all vegetation, but retarded threshing, and 

 in some localitie-s where the showers were accompanied by high winds, 

 hail and lightning, considerable damage was done to crops, buildings and 

 trees. As a whole, the month afforded an average amount of sunshine, 

 and corn dried or matured rapidly. A large proportion of the crop was 

 well dented at the close of the month, and much of it was beyond danger 

 of a moderately heavy frost. The bulk of the threshing was completed, 

 and, except in the northeastern counties, the grain was secured in good 

 condition. A large crop of apples, plums and grapes were being harvested 

 at the close of the month, and the fruit, though smaller than usual, was of 

 good quality. 



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

 by the records of 118 stations, was 71.7°, which is 0.1° below the normal 

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

 section, 69.4°, which is 0.9° below the normal; Central section, 71.5°, which 

 is 0.4° below the normal; Southern section, 74.3°, which is 1.0° above the 

 normal. The highest monthly mean was 78.4°, at Leon, Decatur County, 

 and the lowestly monthly mean, 66.2°, at Blma, Howard County. The 

 highest temperature reported was 107°, at Bedford, Taylor County, on the 

 loth; the lowest temperature reported was 34°. at Larrabee, Cherokee 

 County, on the 28th. The average monthly maximum was 97°, and the 

 average monthly minimum was 43°. The greatest daily range was 54°, at 

 Keosauqua, Van Buren County. The average of the greatest daily ranges 

 was 37°. 



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

 the records of 126 stations, was 3.32 inches, which is 0.67 inch below the 

 normal. By sections the averages were as follows: Northern section, 4.13 

 inches, which is 0.65 inch above the normal; Central section, 3.68 inches, 

 which is 0.37 inch below the normal; Southern section, 2.14 inches, which 



