30 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Bulletin No. 6. — May 15. — The weather during the past week was ideal 

 for field work and the growth of vegetation. The first three days were 

 excessively warm with the temperature above 90 degrees in many local- 

 ities, but the latter part of the week was moderately cool and pleasant. 

 The rainfall was light during the six working days, but copious to heavy 

 showers occurred in many localities on Saturday night and Sunday, es- 

 pecially over the central, southern and eastern sections. Rapid progress 

 was made in planting corn, and that work will be practically finished be- 

 for the 20th. Much of the early planted corn is up, but it is yet too 

 early to determine what the stand will be, although the few reports re- 

 ceived indicate that it will be good. Grass and small grains have im- 

 proved during the week, and are generally in good condition, but need 

 more rain to keep up normal growth, especially in eastern and northern 

 counties where the rainfall has been light. Fruit trees of all kinds are 

 now in full and profuse bloom in the northern part of the state and show 

 no signs of injury by the frosts, early in the month. 



Bulletin No. 7. — May 21. Copious rains over the larger part of the 

 state on the 14th, followed by four days of abnormally warm weather, 

 with light to heavy and fairly well distributed showers on the last three 

 days of the week, have caused rapid growth of all vegetation. The aver- 

 age temperature was 10 to 15 degrees above the normal, and the rainfall, 

 though generally deficient, was ample for present needs except over the 

 northwestern counties where the rainfall has been light for several weeks. 

 Corn planting is nearly finished and many of the early planted fields are 

 being cultivated. The stand of corn is excellent, and replanting will not be 

 necessary except on sod ground where cut and wire worms are very active, 

 and have already caused considerable damage. Grass and small grains im- 

 proved during the week, but owing to the deficiency of moisture the timothy 

 hay crop will be light. Clover is, however, reported to be in good condi- 

 tion. Rye is heading and winter wheat is beginning to joint. Oats are 

 generally in excellent condition, and potatoes, garden truck and fruit are 

 doing well, although there is some complaint that cherries and plums are 

 not setting well. 



Bulletin No. 8. — May 28. — with the exception of high winds the past 

 week was ideal for farm work and the growth of vegetation. The aver- 

 age temperature was 6 to 10 degrees above the normal, and while the rain- 

 fall was deficient light to copious showers were general during the first 

 and last days of the week, and all crops made unprecedented growth under 

 the effects of the high temperature and needed moisture. Temperatures 

 in excess of 90 degres were general on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 

 Much of the corn has been cultivated once and some of it twice. The 

 stand is excellent except on sod ground where worms have done con- 

 siderable damage and caused some replanting. The soil is in fine tilth, 

 the fields are unusually clean and the plants are strong and of good color. 

 Winter wheat is heading in southern counties and small grain, meadows 

 and pastures are doing well generally, but in a few localities and especially 

 in the southeastern counties these crops need more rain. The hay crop 

 will, however, be below the average in all sections. Potatoes are growing 



