Evening star., 1902-01-04
WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
Reported Throughout the
Country in December.

According to a bulletin issued this morn
ing from the weather bureau, December
was abnormally cold throughout the upper
lake region, central valleys and southern
states, where the temperature averaged
from degrees to degrees below the nor
NAL. The most marked deficiency occurred
in the central Mississippi, lower Missouri
and lower Ohio valleys. In the middle At
latte district the month averaged colder
than usual, but the deficiency in tempera-
ture was generally less than 3 degrees per
day. Slight deficiencies in the monthly
mean temperatures are also shown over
the central and southeastern Rocky noun
tain slopes.
Over the greater part of New England
in the Pacific coast states-eXcept along
the immediate coasts of Oregon and Wash
iHgton-thrOughOut the northern plateau re-
glOn, and over portions of the middle and
southern plateau region, the month aver
aged milder than usual. The most marked
excess occurred in Idaho and Montana.
The precipitation during December was
largely in excess of the average in the
districts eastward of the Mississippi, eX-
cePting portions of the South Atlantic coast
and Florida and the western portions of
the upper lake region. shortage in pre-
cipitation was very marked in California,
where the total for the month was general
ly less than one inch from San Francisco
southwark.
AT lHe close OF the month the interior Oh
New England and the northern portion of
the middle Atlantic states We're covered
with from three to twelve inches of snow,
and depths ranging from three to twelve
inches were also reported from southern
portions of Michigan Wisconsin and Min
nesota northward, with twenty-four to
thirty inches at few stations in the penin-
sula of upper Michigan.
The bulletin includes the following gen.
eral observations:
Winter wheat was subjected to very try
ing temperature conditions from the 1ith
till about the 23d during which period ex-
tremely cold weather prevailed throughout
the lake region, central valleys and south
ern states. Fortunately for the crop, how
ever. a light covering Of snow afforded very
material protection in the principal wheat
growing states during the period of great
est cold. AT the close of December the con-
diticn of winter wheat was generally sat
isfactory IN Michigan, Indiana, northern
portions Of Illinois and Missouri, and in
Nebraska and Kansas, the reports being
less favorable south of the Ohio river and
in the middle Atlantic states. The outlook
on the Pacific coast is highly encouraging,
although drying winds and absence of rain
in California since the 20th have been un-
favorable. Moisture is very generally need
ed in portions of the upper Mississippi and
central Missouri valleys, Oklahoma, Ar
kansas. Texas and California;
Particular schedules for Maryland, Dele
ware and Virginia were reported as fol-
lows:
Maryland and Observation-Disclosures
31st: Winter wheat improved slightly dur
ing month, but Is still far below average
condition, especially late sown, which is
very thin and backward; early sown better
IN stand and of good color; rains generally
helpful. although some injury done in low
lands; very little snow protection, except
in mountain districts.
Virginia.-Richmond 31st: Weather Of
month unfavorable for winter wheat until
about 23th: freezing temperatures without
SFNny Il Iofa Il
checked growth of early seeding; several
correspondents report present outlook worst
known in years; late rains have taken frost
out of ground and improved conditions
somewhat"