28 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



crop. At the end 6f the month the foliage on shade and fruit trees was 

 about as far advanced as on April 15th. 



The most notable climatic features of June were the unusually cool 

 weather during the first half, and the high temperatures during the 

 latter half of the month; the excessive amount of sunshine; the low per- 

 centage of humidity; the great deficiency of rainfall; the high wind ve- 

 locities, and the small number of thunderstorms. It was the driest June 

 on record. Corn made slow growth during the first half of the month, 

 and owing to poor seed, cold weather and the activity of moles, cut and 

 wire worms, much more replanting was done than usual. During the 

 latter half of the month corn made rapid growth as the fields were clean 

 and the soil was in the best of condition to withstand the effects of dry 

 weather. On the whole June was a favorable month, although the con- 

 dition of all crops at its close was somewhat below the average of the 

 past 10 years; hay, pastures and early potatoes showed the greatest 

 damage from the drouthy conditions. 



The drouthy condition that prevailed during the latter half of June 

 continued over the larger part of the state during the entire month of 

 July, but the month as a whole, was in many respects ideal for agri- 

 cultural pursuits. There was very few windstorms, and while it was 

 excessively dry over the larger part of the state, the clear weather was 

 very beneficial for haying, harvesting and threshing. Hay and all small 

 grain was secured in excellent condition, and although the hay crop 

 was lighter than usual, it was of the very best quality. The yield of 

 small grain was above the average and the quality was also excellent. 

 Corn made rapid growth and at the end of the month was strong and 

 vigorous and earing nicely, except in the northeastern and some localities 

 in the central and southwestern counties where the drouth had been the 

 most severe. Pastures and potatoes were, however, severely damaged by 

 lack of moisture. Pastures were practically bare and early potatoes 

 were nearly a failure. Small streams and shallow wells were dry and the 

 stage of the rivers was lower than for many years. 



The drouthy conditions which had prevailed since May, continued un- 

 til the middle of August, when copious and fairly well distributed showers 

 occurred. During the latter half of the month the rainfall was generally 

 above the normal. The temperature was normal authough temperatures 

 of 90° or above were recorded on several days between the 1st and 22d. 

 A trace of frost was observed in some localities on the 26th, but no 

 damage was done. The dry weather during the first half of the month 

 was favorable for threshing, but was injurious to pastures, meadows and 

 late potatoes, and in some sections, to corn. 



Although the mean temperature was below and the average rainfall 

 was above the normal, the month of September was favorable for farm 

 operations and other outdoor pursuits and for maturing the late crops. 

 Light frost occurred on low ground at several stations on the 9th and 10th 

 and heavy frost on the 27th. Freezing temperatures occurred at several 

 stations in the extreme western counties on the latter date, but no ma- 

 terial damage was done except to tender vines and garden truck as the 

 low temperature was of short duration and the corn was generally far 



