38 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Fall plowing is progressing rapidly, with the soil in fine tilth, and the in- 

 dications are favorable for an increased acreage of winter wheat. Thrash- 

 ing and stacking was delayed somewhat during the first part of the week by 

 showers. 



Bulletin No. 21. — August 28. The fore part of the week was excessive- 

 ly warm, but the latter half was cool and pleasant. A trace of frost was 

 observed, on low ground, on the morning of the 26th in several localities 

 in the central, western and northern districts, but no damage was re- 

 ported. Last year the first light frost occurred on August 29th. The 

 rainfall was light and considerably below the normal except over the 

 east central counties where copious to heavy showers occurred on Wed- 

 nesday night. A severe rain and hail storm passed over portions of 

 Henry and northern Van Buren counties on the night of the 20th which 

 did a great deal of damage to crops. Over the larger part of the state 

 corn is holding its own and the early planted fields are making satis- 

 factory progress towards maturity, but in other localities, comprising 

 about one-third of the state, there has been some loss on account of lack 

 of moisture. The crop as a whole is a week to ten days later than the 

 average for the last week in August. Fall plowing is progressing rapidly 

 in localities where rains have been heavy enough to soften the ground. 

 Thrashing is nearing completion in many sections, and reports continue 

 to show good yields and excellent quality of all small grains. 



Bulletin No. 22. — September 4- The past seven days were generally 

 cloudy and damp, with the average temperature one to three degrees be- 

 lofw the normal. Rain fell in some part of the state every day of the 

 week, and as nearly all sections have received more or less moisture, there 

 has been a decided improvement in crop and soil conditions. Pasturage 

 and aftermath in meadows have made rapid growth and are now furnishing 

 sufficient feed for stock, and thereby checking the rush of cattle to market. 

 Fall plowing is progressing rapidly. Some of the late potatoes will be 

 benefitted by the rains, but the crop as a whole will be far below the 

 average. There has been enough moisture over the larger part of the 

 state to mature the corn crop, but warm sunshiny weather is needed 

 for the next four weeks to place the whole of the crop beyond danger of 

 frost. Thrashing was delayed in the western counties where the rainfall 

 was the heaviest. Reports continue to indicate more than the average 

 yield of grain. 



Bulletin No. 23. — September 11. The fore part of the week was warm 

 and generally cloudy, with showers over the larger part of the state, but 

 Friday and Saturday were unseasonably cool. Light frost occurred on 

 low ground, in all sections, on the morning of the 10th, but no damage 

 was done to corn athough the temperature was below the freezing point 

 in many places. Corn has made fair progress toward maturity and pro- 

 bably a third of the crop would not be seriously injured by a heavy frost. 

 More than the normal amount of corn will be harvested for fodder and 

 silage and seed corn will be selected earlier than usual. Plowing is pro- 

 gressing and the seeding of fall grain has begun in southern counties. 

 Potatoes have improved since the late rains and pastures are generally 



