28 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



CLIMATE AND CROP BULLETINS 



Summaries of Weekly Bulletins Issued in the Season of 1911. 



Bulletin No. 1. — For the week ending April 10. — After a mild and 

 pleasant but dry winter the crop season of 1911 opens with nearly normal 

 conditions, except that the subsoil is drier than usual; there being an 

 average deficiency of 2.82 inches of precipitation since October 1, 1910^ 

 March was dry and warm, prior to the 26th, and much plowing and seeding 

 of spring wheat was done between the 10th and 25th of that month. 

 Since that time the weather has been cold with frequent rain and snow 

 storms which have prevented field work. The first week in April was 

 abnormally cold and stormy with heavy snow over the northern half of 

 the state; many stations in the northern counties reporting three to eleven 

 inches of snowfall and temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees on the 7th. 

 Farm work is, however, as far advanced as usual at this time in the year, 

 but is several weeks later than last year. Nearly all of the spring wheat 

 and much of the oats have been sown, and some ground has been plowed 

 preparatory to planting corn. Winter grains and grasses are reported 

 generally as being in good condition, and the late rains have put the soil 

 in fine tilth. All kinds of stock came through the winter in good shape 

 and farmers have plenty of feed left on hand. All vegetation and especi- 

 ally fruit buds have as yet remained nearly dormant and prospects of a 

 fruit crop are at present very promising. The acreage of spring wheat 

 has been increased over that of last year, but the acreage of oats and 

 other grains will probably be about the same. The week closes with 

 indications of warmer weather. 



Bulletin No. 2. — April 17. — The first half of the week was cloudy and 

 stormy, with copious rains attended by thunder and lightning, and in 

 many localities by high and damaging winds. The last four days were 

 generally clear with cold nights; the mimimum temperature being below 

 the freezing point over the northern half of the state on the mornings of 

 the 14th and 15th. The cold wet weather retarded farm work, but the 

 rain was very beneficial and has put the top soil in excellent condition 

 for tilling. Considerable progress was, however, made during the last 

 three days of the week in plowing and seeding. Practically all spring 

 wheat and barley are in and the bulk of the oats will be seeded by the 

 middle of the coming week. Grass is beginning to start nicely since the 

 late rains, and winter wheat is in good condition. Fruit buds are gen- 

 erally dormant. Notwithstanding the fact that the season is somewhat 

 backward, the general conditions are at present very promising. 



