26 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



southwest counties the temperature was above 100° every day during that 

 period. The highest temperature reported was 111° at Bloomfield on the 

 3d, and at Jefferson and Keosauqua on the 5th. This is the highest tem- 

 perature recorded in the state since July, 1901. The drought continued 

 over the larger part of the state, but copious showers occurred in the east- 

 ern counties on the 6th, whicji were followed by fairly well distributed 

 showers during the remainder of the month, with heavy rains on the 28th. 

 Over the western two-thirds of the state, the amounts of rainfall were too 

 small and the intervals between the showers too great to be of much bene- 

 fit. The excessive high temperatures early in the month and the continu- 

 ance of the drought in the western and central counties did considerable 

 damage to corn, and hot winds injured or destroyed the pollen, causing 

 uneven fertilization. Pastures were bare and afforded no feed for stock, 

 early potatoes were practically a failure, and the late varieties were seri- 

 ously injured. All small streams were dry, and water for the stock scarce, 

 and, as a result, many farmers were compelled to sell much of their live 

 stock. The dry, sunshiny weather was favorable for securing the hay and 

 small grain crops and for threshing. The hay crop was, however, light, 

 but small grain, especially winter wheat, turned out better than was anti- 

 cipated. 



The drought continued during August in the southern and southwestern 

 counties, but copious to heavy showers occurred at frequent intervals 

 in the eastern and northeastern counties and the northwestern sections 

 received considerable "benefit from timely rains. Corn matured rapidly 

 and a large portion 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, where showers had occurred frequently, the grain was secured 

 in good condition. While the average temperature for the month was very 

 nearly normal, light frost occurred on low ground, in the northern counties 

 on the 28th and 29th, but no damage was done. 



September gave abundance of precipitation in all sections of the state, 

 the average amount of rainfall exceeding all previous records for that 

 month. The drought was broken and before the close of the month grass 

 was green and growing rapidly. The ground was soft and moist and much 

 seeding had been done. Late potatoes that on August 31st were thought 

 to be a failure gave promise of good yields. Practically all of the corn 

 was ripe and beyond danger of frost. Thunderstorms were frequent and 

 more than the usual amount of damage was done by lightning. In a few 

 cases the thunderstorms were attended by severe wind squalls, and a 

 typical tornado occurred in Madison County on the afternoon of the 6th. 



October was, as a whole, cold and wet, yet the first killing frost did not 

 occur until 10 or 12 days after the average date of past years. Killing 

 frost occurred in the extreme northern counties on the 8th, and in all 

 sections of the state on the 21st or 22d. The first snow of the season, 

 of any consequence, fell on the 26th. Considerable corn was put in cribs 

 in good condition, and the largest crop of apples ever harvested in this 

 state was secured. Much planting and seeding of winter grains was done. 



