Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-06
CROP BULLETIN
FOR The WEEK
TYPICAL MARCH WEATHER PRE-
VAILED AT CLOSE OF MONTH
DAMAGE WAS DONE.
For the week ending Nav .. 1909.

For the week ending May 2, 1909.
Des, Moines, May 4. Typical
March weather prevailed during the
larger part of the past week Showers,
by high winds, hail,
thunder and lightning, We're followed
by sleet and snow storms with mini
mum temperatures ranging from 90 de-
grees in northern to 81 in southern
counties. The average daily tempera-
ture was to IL degrees below the
normal, and the average precipitation
was below normal in western and eX
IRENE southern and considerably |
above the normal in east, central and !
counties. A large amount |
of damage was done to property in
many localities by hail and high winds,
and many reports indicate that the
early sown grain was probably injured
by freezing temperature on May l. In
the northeastern districts, where rain
fall has been heavy for the past three
weeks, there is some complaint of
oats rotting in the ground Farmers
have taken advantage of every oppor-
tunity to get in the fields, but, owing
to the adverse conditions, farm work
has progressed very slowly. There is
still large acreage intended for oats
not yet sown, and the work of prepar-
Ing ground Is from two to three weeks
late. The acreage of small grain will
not be as large in any part of the state
as was anticipated, and the acreage of
oats will be considerably less than
that of last year. There has, however,
been slight increase in the acreage
of wheat, and the present indications
are favorable for a large increase in
the acreage of corn.
1t is not thought that fruit has been
damaged by the freezing temperatures
except possibly in the extreme south
ern counties where peaches, cherries,
plums, apricots and pears are in
bloom.
Southeast District.
Louisa columbus Junction) Rain
1.27; but little ground plowed for corn,
except sod; many farmers did not get
all of the oats in, but will not SOW
now.
Wapelllo (Blakesburg)- field
fore the rains began; some oats rot
ting in the fields; there is an increase
in the acreage of small grains; early
sown fall wheat is looking well; two
hard freezes during the last three
weeks, but grass is starting nicely.
Henry (Mt. pleasantly Rain 20;
small grain all planted and the acre
age is about the same as last year;
acreage of corn will be increased;
good progress made in preparing for
corn planting and a little has been
! planted.
! I'D :
Lee (Keokuk) Rain 81 or a de-
ficiency Of SO inch; average daily de-
fciency of temperature degrees;
winter wheat doing we'll; acreage
about 10 per cent more than normal;
oats retarted by cool weother; acre
age slightly in excess Of normal; freez-
ing temperature May 1, with high
winds and light splits of snow; peaches
cherries and pears in blossom.
| Van Buren, Bonaparte)-Rain Al; a
showery, cloudy and cool week; oats,
the only spring grain crop, all in with
normal acreage. (Stockport)-
.27; blowing and preparing the ground
for corn being pushed rapidly; 50 de-
gree drop in temperature between
Thursday noon and Saturday morning
when ground froze one-half inch; acre
age of grain is as follows: oats 10
per cent, rye 100 per cent, winter
wheat $50 per cent. (Milton) Rain
so: plums are in bloom; snow flurries
on May 1 fruit will probably be in
| jured.
South Central District.
Mahaska (Oskaloosa) Rain 1913;
grass and small grain not growing
much; soil very heavy and cold
J Marion fold
work practically suspended since April
8; seeding unfinished; soil in poor
condition; severe hail storm on % and
will probably be decreased some, al
though farmers continue to SOW In
order to get the ground in clover and
for the straw.
Madison (Earlham) Rain 1.60; but
little field work done; feed about all
used up; considerable damage was
done by hail on the %; about 25 per
cent Of the small grain is to be sown
yet; acreage of oats will be decreased
20 per cent, but acreage Of barley will
be increased. est. Charles) Rain
ITO; about so per cent of seeding
done. (Winterset)- hail, snow
and severe freezing temperature;
about rs per cent of grain yet to be
sown.
Union (Afton) 1880; farm
work held up, ground frozen and We
fear for oats crop now up; ice hall
inch thick May /; not green leaf OF
bloom on trees; all seeding Of small
grain done, but the acreage is 20 pei
cent of what was intended; with favor
able weather corn acreage will be in
creased to the extent of shortage in
acreage Of oats: fall wheat Is looking
well.
Lucas (Chariton)-Rain 1873; q
week of continued storms and low
temperatures; very severe hail storm
on 20; ground frozen May 1; temper
allure Is degrees; two days field work
this week; 65 per cent Of oats sowr
in mud; a start has been made in plow
ing for corn, but the soil is entirely
too wet.
Monroe (Albia)-Rain 1:45; rs pei
cent of the oats were sown and cover
ed, decrease of about 25 per cent il
acreage; there was an increase of 81
per cent in the acreage of sprins
wheat; more rye and barley by 25 PEI