NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I 11 
the surplus water soon found its way into the rivers causing the most 
disastrous floods on record in this state. At the beginning of this 
month the ground in the larger part of the State was extremely dry but 
friable and in the best of condition to absorb and store up large quan- 
tities of water, thereby preventing its rapid escape to the rivers. There 
has, however, been considerable damage done to crops, by flooding the 
low bottom lands, but the greatest damage done was in preventing the 
completion of corn planting and the cultivation of the early planted 
fields. There was about 20 per cent of the corn area yet to plant at the 
close of the month, and it is probable that a portion of this will have 
to be abandoned or seeded to millet or other late forage crops. There 
was also a great deal of replanting to be done due to floods and wash- 
ing, but the general condition was considerally better than it was at 
the close of May, 1907. All small grains, grass and potatoes have made 
very rapid growth and the prospects for these crops are much better 
than they have been at the close of May for several years. 
Temperature.— The monthly mean temperature for the State, as 
shown by the records of 117 stations, was 59.4°, which is 0.7° below 
the normal for Iowa. By sections the mean temperatures were as fol- 
lows: Northern section, 57.8°, which is 0.6° below the normal; Cen- 
tral section, 59.7°, which is 0.5° below the normal; Southern section, 
60.8°, which is 0.8° below the normal. The highest monthly mean 
was 63.2°, at Keokuk, Lee county, and the lowest monthly mean 55.2°, 
at Rock Rapids, Lyon county. The highest temperature reported was 
93°, at Fort Dodge, Webster county, on the 16th and 20th; the lowest 
temperature reported was 13°, at Washta, Cherokee county, on the 2d. 
The average monthly maximum was 86.6°, and the average monthly 
minimum was 24.7°. The greatest daily range was 48°, at Allerton, 
Wayne county. The average of the greatest daily ranges was 38.3°. 
Precipitation. — The average precipitation for the State, as shown 
by the records of 125 stations, was 8.34 inches, which is 3.84 inches 
above the normal. By sections the averages were as follows: North- 
ern section, 8.04 inches, which is 3.49 inches above the normal; Cen- 
tral section, 7.46 inches, which is 2.99 inches above the normal; Southern 
section, 9.53 inches, which is 5.06 inches above the normal. The great- 
est amount, 14.33 inches, occurred at Fort Madison, Lee county, and 
the least, 4.33 inches, at Belle Plaine, Benton county. The greatest amount 
in 24 hours, 4.80 inches, occurred at Fort Madison, Lee county, on the 
28th. Measurable precipitation occurred on an average of 15 days. 
Sunshine and Cloudiness. — The average number of clear days was 
9'; partly cloudy, 11; cloudy, 11. The duration of sunshine was below 
the normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 49 at Daven- 
port; 50 at Des Moines; 49 at Dubuque; 58 at Keokuk, and 58 at Sioux 
City. 
, Wind. — Southeast winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported 
was 60 miles per hour from the Northeast, at Sioux City, Woodbury 
county, on the 16th. 
