NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 583 



corn in the central and north central counties will make only fodder and silage. 

 While the corn in the south central and southwest counties shows improve- 

 ment in appearance, nothing can restore the damage done to the commercial 

 crop. Cutting for fodder and silage is under way about a month earlier 

 than usual in the damaged area. 



Bulletin No. 23, September 3, 1918 — 



Heavy rains occurred in the southeast and portions of the east central and south 

 central districts also in Hardin county. Over most of the western and northern 

 districts the rain was very light or nil. Temperatures about 85 in the north and 

 slightly above 90 in the south occurred on the afternoon of August 27th. after 

 which the weather was generally cool, especially at night. The lowest temperature 

 reported was 3 9 at Washta on the morning of the 31st. Traces of frost were re- 

 ported in the south central counties on the mornings of the 30th and 31st. 



Corn is advancing rapidly to maturity. More than half of the crop is already 

 safe from frost in the northwest counties. By September 20th, 83 per cent of the 

 crop will be safe in the northwest and 62 per cent in the east central districts, 

 averaging 75 per cent for the state. By September 30th. 95 per cent will be safe 

 in the northwest and 80 per cent in the east central, with 88 per cent for the state. 

 By October 10th, which is about the average date of the first killing frost, 95 per 

 cent will be safe. Though the east central counties are the latest, they are not 

 far from normal. Silo filling is progressing in the south and has been finished in a 

 few localities. 



Shock thrashing is practically finished, except in the northern districts, where 

 delayed by the wet weather early in August. Stacks are generally in the 

 "sweat" and not fit to thrash. Cutting of wild hay and third-crop alfalfa is 

 in progress. Potatoes will be less than a normal crop, and are very poor in 

 the southwest. Pastures are improving as a result of recent rains and more 

 moderate temperatures. A large acreage of winter grain is assured in the 

 region of havy rain, where the soil is working up in excellent condition. 



Bnlletin No. 23, September 10, 1918 — 



Rains, mostly light, occurred in all portions of the state. Much of that reported 

 by correspondents fell at the close of last week. More than one inch occurred in 

 some of the south central counties. Temperatures were generally low. averaging 

 about six degrees below normal. The lowest reported was 35 at Washta on the 6th. 

 Light frosts were reported in Floyd county on the morning of the 5th. The highest 

 temperatures were generally between 80 and 87 on Sunday the 8th. Sun- 

 shine was generally deficient. 



Corn made satisfactory progress in spite of the cool weather. Silo filling is about 

 completed in the southwest where corn was prematurely ripened and is beginning 

 in the north and east Much is being cut for fodder. Considerable seed corn is 

 being saved. 



Plowing for winter wheat has progressed rapidly, though dry soil has made it diffi- 

 cult in the central and western counties. Seeding has begun in Adams. Mills, Lee 

 and Scott counties. Much will be sown in corn ground in the southwest, from which 

 it has been possible to remove the silage and fodder earlier than usual. Potatoes 

 are a poor crop generally. Blight has been quite prevalent, and rot has attacked 

 them in the northern counties where the soil has been excessively wet . Sorghum 

 grinding has begun in Keokuk county. An excellent third crop of alfalfa and 

 second crop of clover is being secured in the southeast counties. Pastures are in 

 unusually good condition in the eastern one-third of the state, but stock is being 

 fed from the cornfields in the southwest. Considerable shock thrashing remains to 

 be done in the north. 



Note : Because of a shortage of funds, due to increased cost of printing, it will 

 be necessary to suspend the publication of this bulletin for the season. Corres- 

 pondents are requested to continue reporting till October 7th. Postal card sum- 

 maries will be issued if conditions warrant. 



Bnlletin No. 24, September 17, 1918 — 



Generous rains occurred in the northeast one-third of the state, the heaviest, 

 nearly three inches, being reported in Floyd county. Cool, cloudy weather pre- 



