110 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



than the usual amount of plowing was done, with generally favorable 

 conditions of soil for this work. Threshing returns indicated generally 

 light and unsatisfactory yield of wheat, oats and barley; the yield of 

 timothy seed has been unusually heavy. The development of the corn 

 crop was all that could be expected under the prevalent weather condi- 

 tions. At the close of the month the early planted corn, about forty 

 per cent of the whole area, had reached the roasting ear stage, or a little 

 beyond, giving promise of reaching maturity within twenty days, unde^ 

 favorable conditions. The balance of the crop was in various stages 

 of growth, indicating need of very good ripening weather for a full 

 month or more to place the bulk of it beyond danger of harm or frost. 

 The outlook for the crop as a whole was at that tim-e unsatisfactry. 

 The late potato crop made fair growth in dry and sandy soil, but there 

 were reports of damage by rot in many localities. The crop of early 

 and fall apples gave good returns, especially in the northern half of the 

 State; but winter apples were unpromising. Pasturage made a heavy 

 growth, giving assurance of abundant fall feed for stock. 



September was cooler than usual, the mean temperature being 3.4^ 

 below normal. Frosts occurred at numerous stations on the 16th. 17th. 

 18th, 24th and 27th, but little damage resulted to corn and other crops, 

 except in limited areas on low ground. The main detriment caused by the 

 cold and frosty period was the delay in bringing belated corn to full ma- 

 turity. The period of most unfavorable weather and heaviest rainfall 

 was from the 4th to the 16th. In the last half of the month there were 

 about twelve days of ideal weather for maturing crops, harvesting, thresh- 

 ing and plowing. During this time corn made very good progress, and at 

 the close of the month fully 80 per cen^; of tlie crop was well matured, the 

 balance requiring two weeks of frostless weather and generally favorable 

 conditions to make it safe. There was but little expectation of bringing 

 all of the belated portion of the crop to maturity, as some of it was green 

 and soft at the close of September. A considerable amount of the early 

 corn was cut and put into shock after the first appearance of frost. Fall 

 pasturage was never better, and seldom as good at this time of year. 

 Fair progress was ihade in harvesting the minor crops, and a good deal 

 of second crop hay was secured. Fall plowing was well advanced, much 

 more than the usual acreage having been done with the soil in excellent 

 condition. The potato harvest showed a very light yield, and much dam- 

 aged by rotting. The fall apple crop was fair, but winter apples were 

 inferior in size and quality. On the whole September was a fairly satis- 

 factory month, though below in temperature and sunshine. The adverse 

 features of the month were the natural sequence of the preceding abnor- 

 mal spring and summer. 



October was an ideal autumn month. The mean temperature was 

 slightly above and the rainfall below the normal, and the percentage of 

 sunshine was higher than usual. The bulk of the rainfall came in the 

 first seven days, and generally with but little disturbance of the elements. 

 No trace of snow was reported during the month. The first general kill- 

 ing frost occurred on the 18th, at which time there was practically very 

 little of value exposed to damage by freezing temperature. The greater 



