18 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the deficiency being almost in the western districts. There were more 

 than the usual number of wind squalls and hailstorms, causing consider- 

 able damage to crops in scattered localities. The conditions were gen- 

 erally favorable for pastures, and corn made fair progress toward ma- 

 turity, though the crop was two to three weeks later than the average 

 at the close of August.. Good progress was made in threshing small 

 grain in the western districts. 



September was slightly cooler than usual, with frequent alternations 

 in temperature. The second decade was the warmest period, and the 

 average of the last decade was about 20 degrees below the preceding ten 

 days. Heavy frost occurred on the 22d, and heavy to killing frost visited 

 every county on the morning of the 25th, causing material damage to 

 immature portions of the corn crop. The percentage of sunshine was 

 about the normal. Considerable damage was caused by wind and hail 

 in the afternoon and evening of the 7th. 



October will stand upon the records as one of the finest and most agree- 

 able autumnal months ever enjoyed in this section. The average tem- 

 perature was about 2° below the normal, but the percentage of sunshine 

 was considerably above the average, and the clear, crisp air of the coldest 

 mornings was one of the most enjoyable features of the month. There 

 were about three weeks of typical Indian summer weather, and there was 

 very little discomfort in the few stormy days. During the past eighteen 

 years there have been 6 colder and 11 warmer Octobers. The average 

 precipitation was 1.50 inches, which is 0.89 of an inch below the state 

 normal. There have been but three dryer Octobers since 1889. There 

 were showers distributed over the larger part of the state during the 

 first three and last three days of the month, and also some local rainfall 

 on the 15th. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the central district, in 

 the valley of the Des Moines river. In over four-fifths of the counties 

 the amount was less than 2 inches. Generally conditions were highly 

 favorable for drying out the corn crop, preparatory to husking and crib- 

 bing. Some progress was made during the last decade in the corn harvest, 

 but as a rule the ears were not dry enough to be cribbed. Considerable 

 progress was made in plowing, with the soil in good condition. The 

 harvest of potatoes, apples and other minor crops progressed under favor- 

 able conditions, and the output was generally below the average of recent 

 years. All in all the month of October contributed very largely to the 

 material prosperity of the state. 



November was exceptionally favorable, the average temperature and 

 sunshine being above the normal. There has not been a more favorable 

 autumn for haresting the late maturing crops, and for preparing the 

 ground for the coming spring. The corn crop was quite thoroughly dried 

 out, and at the close of the month more than 90 per cent of that valuable 

 cereal was safely stored in cribs. Though there were many frosty nights 

 and considerable freezing weather, yet the ground was generally in good 

 condition for plowing until the close of the month. The pasture afforded 

 considerable sustenance to stock during the month and conditions were 

 favorable to fall wheat and rye. 



The average temperature of the state was about 6 degrees above the 

 normal in December, with less than the usual precipitation, and a large 



