NINETEENTH ANNUAL. YEAR BOOK— PART X 577 



Corn planting Is 75 per cent completed in the southern counties where 

 the early planting is up, showing a good stand and cultivation has begun 

 in a few localities. In some of the northeastern and north-central counties 

 planting is just beginning, while in the northwest it is well advanced. Small 

 grain, pastures and meadows are doing well in all but the central and 

 southwest districts where rain is badly needed. Much winter wheat is being 

 plowed up in Taylor county. The first crop of alfalfa and probably all hay 

 will be short in these districts. 



Bulletin No. 7, May 21, 1918 — 



Rain was abundant in the north and east portions of the state but very 

 deficient in the southwest. Temperatures were high, averaging about 7 

 degrees above normal. Frosts on the mornings of the 13th and 14th dam- 

 aged fruit in some northern counties and nipped the early potatoes. Sun- 

 shine averaged nearly 20 per cent above normal. Hail in many sections on 

 the 19th did but little damage. High, drying, southerly winds on the 15th 

 and 16th damaged pastures and meadows in the western half of the state, 

 which was generally dry upon that date. Oats were also damaged on the 

 sandy, north-central uplands where sand or dust storms occurred. In some 

 localities in the southwest, cattle have been taken from the brown, bare 

 pastures and are being fed expensive hay. The hay crop will be short in 

 all but the eastern counties and almost an entire failure in the southwest. 



Small grains have made excellent progress in the east and north and 

 are in fair condition in the southwest, except winter wheat. 



Corn planting is nearly finished in the south and two-thirds done in the 

 north. Considerable replanting has been necessary, due to poor seed and 

 the ravages of cut and wire worms, particularly on sod. In general, ideal 

 soil and weather conditions, combined with the skill of the Iowa farmer, 

 have made the best of the weak seed corn and a good crop is now in 

 prospect. 



Telegraphic reports Tuesday morning show good rains in the southwest 

 portion of the state, but these will be too late to save the hay crop. 



Bulletin No. 8, May 28, 1918 — 



Copious to excessive rains occurred in all but the extreme northeast 

 counties. No section is lacking moisture. Most of this has been soaked up 

 and retained by the soil as shown by the tile drains which are not running 

 full. In some of the central and southeast counties the excesses eroded 

 the hillsides and flooded the lowlands. In Jasper and Poweshiek counties 

 between five and six inches of rain fell and considerable live stock, mostly 

 sheep, were drowned. The area damaged is comparatively small. 



On Tuesday afternoon. May 21st, a series of tornadoes occurred in Craw- 

 ford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Webster and Hardin counties, causing much 

 damage to property, many injuries and several deaths. Hail damaged crops 

 slightly in many sections and seriously in some southwestern counties. 



Temperatures were about normal in the north and west and about 4 de- 

 grees above normal in the southeast. Sunshine was slightly deficient. 



The drouth is broken in the west and southwest counties, but too late 

 for the hay crop; pastures are improving rapidly. Small grains are all mak- 

 ing good progress and becoming too rank in some of the southeastern coun- 

 ties. Winter wheat is heading in the southeast and shooting in the central 

 counties. Cutworm damage to corn, particularly on sod, is unusually prev- 

 alent in all sections and will necessitate much replanting; otherwise the 

 stand is remarkably good as a result of diligent seed testing, and unusually 

 favorable soil and weather conditions. Cultivation and late planting have 

 been delayed by rain; weeds are getting a good start in some sections. 



Strawberries promise a good crop and are beginning to ripen In the 

 southeast. 



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