l84 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



stage or glazed, giving promise of reaching maturity in advance of the 

 average date of killing frosts. Good progress was made during the month 

 in threshing wheat, oats and barley; but in many localities these grains 

 suffered some damage from exposure to showers while in the shock. 

 There was a heavy growth of aftermath in meadows, and the pastures 

 were about as green as in springtime. The potato crop suffered mater- 

 ially from blight. The corn crop was seriously damaged by root worms 

 in fields that had been planted two or more seasons in succession. 



September was about 2'^ above normal in temperature, with a small 

 excess of rainfall. The coldest period of the month was the first decade 

 and the warmest and brightest was the third decade. The distribution 

 of rainfall was quite unequal, more than half the state receiving less 

 that 3.00 inches, the heaviest amounts being recorded in portions of the 

 southwest and northwest districts. During the stormy period from the 

 14th to the 18th severe windstorms swept over considerable areas in all 

 districts, aggregating over one-third of the state. Corn was prostrated 

 to an unusual extent, resulting in material damage in regions that were 

 most severely stormswept. The extraordinary weather of the last de- 

 cade was of in«Btimable value in bringing to maturity the late planted 

 portion of the corn crop, affording ideal conditions for cutting fodder, 

 threshing grain, putting up second crop of clover, aftermath and wild 

 hay, fall plowing, etc. At the close of the month fully 98 per cent of 

 corn was well matured. And most of the corn planted as late as June 

 15th was well ripened. An increased acreage of winter wheat was sown 

 in September, and made an excellent stand. About the usual acreage 

 of winter rye was sown. 



The first decade of October was warm and generally dry and clear, 

 with conditions favorable for ripening all belated crops, and drying out 

 the corn crop preparatory to husking, which was in progress in the lat- 

 ter part of the month. The last decade was also very dry and clear, 

 altogether the month of October was notable for its large percentage of 

 sunshine and agreeable weather. The first killing frosts were reported 

 about the 11th and 12th in all districts, after all crops were well ma- 

 tured. Pastures were green, affording excellent grazing throughout the 

 month. All minor crops, garden truck and fruit were harvested in due 

 season, under favorable conditions. Except some damage to flattened 

 corn by wet weather from the 15th to 20th, the conditions during Octo- 

 ber were all that could be desired. 



The average temperature in November was 3.2° above normal. There 

 was a large excess of clear or partly cloudy weather, as compared with 

 the average. Conditions were unusually favorable for gathering corn, 

 and all kinds of field work usual to the season. The bulk of the corn 

 crop was husked in good condition for cribbing or shipping. Pastur- 

 age was unusually good for grazing stock. Fall wheat and rye were 

 looking well, and much fall plowing was in evidence in all parts of the 

 state. 



