SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 37 



CLIMATE AND CROP REVIEW, 1906. 



The year 1906 was exceptionally favorable for agriculture and other 

 Industries in Iowa. The tabulated records of all stations show that the 

 mean temperature of the State was 48.7°, which is 1° above the normal. 

 The winter was mild and favorable for the protection of fall seeded crops, 

 and for the care of farm animals. The average amount of precipitation 

 for the year was 31.23 inches, which is about half an inch below the 

 normal for Iowa. The distribution of rainfall was variable, the heaviest 

 amounts being reported in the eastern half of the northern section, and 

 the least amounts were in the southern section. But in all these parts 

 there was sufficient moisture to produce more than an average yield of the 

 great staples on which the prosperity of the State depends. 



January was 4.8° warmer than the average, and February also brought 

 an excess of 4.2°. Both months had a small excess of precipitation. 

 March was relatively much colder, the mean temperature being 5.7° below 

 the normal. The snow fall was heavier and the weather was more 

 stormy and inclement than during the preceding winter months. Condi- 

 tions were not favorable for field work, and farm stock required more 

 care and forage than usual at that period. The last five days of the 

 month were springlike. 



The mean temperature of April, 52.5°, was about 3.1° above the normal; 

 and the rainfall, 2.42 inches, was .46 of an inch below the normal for 

 the State. The first half of the month was showery and cloudy; but the 

 latter half was generally fair and warm, affording good conditions for 

 spring plowing, which progressed rapidly, with the soil in good tilth and 

 warm enough to insure germination of grain and grass. At the close of 

 April the season was about normal in respect to the growth of grasses and 

 foliage. Farm work, however, was somewhat belated by wet weather in 

 March and the early part of April. 



May was about normal in temperature, the mean being 60.8° for the 

 State. There were sharp fluctuations in temperature, with frosts in all 

 districts about the 6th to the 9th, and on the 28th, though not materially 

 harmful to vegetation and fruit. The average rainfall was 3.54 inches, 

 which is 0.70 of an inch below the normal for the State. The distribution 

 was unequal, the northern section having an excess of 1.40 inches, while 

 the central section was deficient 1.09 inches, and the southern section was 

 deficient 2.42 inches. In portions of the southern section the dry weather 

 was somewhat unfavorable for pastures, meadows and spring seeded crops. 

 The conditions, however, were favorable for planting corn, and the mois- 

 ture was sufficient to secure a good stand. 



June was slightly cooler than normal, the mean temperature being 67.9°, 

 which is 1.7° below the normal. The average rainfall was 3.92 inches, 

 which is 0.63 of an inch below the normal. In the southern section, 

 where there was greatest need of moisture, the average was 4.50 inches. 

 The greater part of the rainfall came in the latter half of the month, 

 affording timely relief from drouthy conditions prevalent in nearly all 

 districts. The dry weather in early June was favorable for corn, which 

 made a fine growth and had been thoroughly cultivated. There was suf- 



