Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-27
IOWA STATE NEWS
IOWA CROPS.
The Eject of the Seasons Climatic
Conditions Described by j. r. Sage,
of the Weather Bureau.

j. r. Sage, of the Iowa weather and
crop service, has prepared review of
the seasons climatic conditions affect
ing Iowa crops. In substance, he says:
The winter encroached two weeks on the
spring. 1t was early discovered that more
than so per cent. of the winter wheat in the
southern section and very large percent
age of the clover in all parts of the state
mad been killed by alternate freezing and
thaWing during the winter and spring
months. The acreage of winter wheat
sown In the fall of 1898 was very small, and
the aggregate loss by winter killing was
relatively light; but the almost total de-
structton of the clover plant was seriously
felt in nearly all parts of the state
April saw normal condition. In May
plowing and planting operations were
greatly retarded, especially in the southern
and central sections, where the soil was al
most continuously saturated. A fair be-
ginning was made in corn planting in the
central and northern districts during the
nrst half of the month, but the cool, wet
and cloudy weather that followed rendered
termination unusually difficult, and more
imam the usual amount OF. replanting was
made necessary. Heavy showers damaged
the corn, and much planting remained to be
zone at the end of the month. However,
grass, spring wheat. oats, barley and gar
den truck made remarkable growth during
the month. The condition of small grain at
the close of the month was very good.
June was normal. Small grain was lux
uriant, with tendency to lodge and indica-
tlons OF rust July was normal in tempera-
ture, and the weather conditions were gem
orally favorable for the rapid advance
ment OF crops. and also for the comfort of
those who We're engaged in farming opera
lions.
In August, at the end of the month the
larger part OF early planted corn was suf-
nclentiy advanced to be cut and shocked.
The soil was generally too dry for blowing,
ana pastures were short
september was notable for extremes of
not and cold weather. exceeding all pre-
vious records for that month in all the
years since observations have been record
ed IN the state. The effects of the hot and
dry winds were very marked In the corn
nelds; put the crop az a whole was much
benefited by being swiftly FASTENED to ma
turity, placing 1t beyond danger of harm
by the killing frosts that reached all parts
OF the state during the last five days Of the
month. Frosts were noted at various
places as early as the l4th, and thereafter
on various dates with increasing severity
Until freezing temperatures We're recorded
at all stations from the 26th to the Goth,
Inc month was generally favorable for
bringing growing crops to maturity; but
have been better in quality and total yield
II the temperature had been equable and
the killing frosts had been deferred till the
normal period.
The total output of soil products In the
state, however. will be fairly satisfactory
and remunerative. The droughty condi-
lions IN the latter part of the season ma
terially retarded fall blowing and lessened
the acreage of fall wheat and rye compared
with former years. And the bare pastures
Will cause early feeding of stock and make
heavier drafts upon the stores of winter