The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-10-15
aEprEMBER SUMMARY
OF the Crop Conditions In West Virginia.
Climatic Changes.


The mean temperature OF West vir-
ginia during the month of September,
6s4 degrees was slightly IN excess of
the normal. The month opened with
seasonable temperatures, which con-
tlnued until the Sth. when a spell of
warm weather set in that broke all pre-
vious records in almost every section
heard from, lasting without single
break until the 18th, when change 20
cooler occurred. During this period
temperatures OF 90 degrees and over
were recorded daily, and 1903 degrees
was reported from Hewett, Logan coun-
ty. on the 18th aud 10th. During the
hot weather the nights were abnorm-
ally cool. compensatfng for the warm
days and keeping the average 2i-hour
temperature down to nearly the nor
NAL. From the 18th on, with a few
exceptions, the weather continued cool
and freezing temperatures and killing
frosts were reported from several points
on the 2lst and 2sth, and light frosts
we're general from the 18th to the 29th.
The average rainfall for the state
during the month"; LA inches, showed a
marked deficiency, and no section in
the state received Its normal amount
In most localities the months rainfall
was the smallest ever recorded. Light
rains were general throughout the state
on the LIST, I'd. 18th and 18th, aud light
showers occurred over some OF the
north and northeast counties from the
2Oth to the 23d, and excepting a few
local rains from which no benefit was
derived. no appreclaole amount fell on
any other date. At the close of the
month the greater portion OF the state
was suffering for rain and In many sec
lions a serious drought prevailed.
The weather during the early por-
ton Of the month was favorable to the
growth OF late corn, but owing to the
drought later on that crop was serious
ly injured and In some cases totally
destroyed. Buckwheat also suffered
and the crop was not expected to come
up to the average,
Damage from frost was slight and
except some fields OF late corn and a
few patches OF sweet potatoes all crops
susceptible to injury had been gath
cred.
AT the close OF the month creeks,
ponds and wells were drying up, and
the many days OF uninterrupted sun
shine had sapped the ground of all Its
moisture, leaving II dusty and bare.
All rivers In the state were at a low
stage OF water during the entire month
and except for few light draught
packets navigation was entirely closed,
The month, as whole, was a re-
narkable one In many respects. Con-
slderinE the unprecedented long period
of warm weather and the unusually
high temperatures recorded, the small
amount OF rainfall received and the
number OF absolutely cloudless days,
its record will long remain an inter-
esting chapter In the meteorological an
nails OF the state, and the proverbial
oldest lnhabitant" vainly searches his
memory to tell OF its equal,
Mean OF maxima temperature, SID
degrees: mean OF mlnima temperature,
sos degrees; mean monthly tempera-
ture. 6s.4 degrees; highest recorded
during the month, 1903 degrees at Hew-
OF, on the 18th and 10th; lowest q
degrees, at White sulphur Springs ON
the nth. Absolute range of tempera-
ture. &c degrees. ~
Average precipitation for the state
ia inches; greatest monthly preclpl-
tatiop. 400 inches at Phillppi; least, .o2
inches, at Green Sulphur Springs Pre-
waiting direction Of wind, west Aver
;tge numbor OF clear days, 20; partly
cloudy, @; cloudy, 2; with 'Ol inch or
more OF rainfall. ., Thunderatorms oc-
CURED mt various places IN the btate
ON the 1st. "a. 30. l9h and nth. Light
frosts ON the 18th, 18th, nth, Goth, ed
oqd g4ib 2sth and ggth: killing frosts
Az ,he 2oth 2gd. Goth, 2Sth and 18th.