550 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. DECEMBER, 1904 OLTMATE! AND OROP SERVIOE. Bv M. JAYES BEBBY. Chief of Chmata and Crop Dfvison. The following summaries relating to the general weather and crop conditions during December are furnished by the directors of the respective sections of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau; they are based upon voluntary reports from meteorological observers and crop correspond- ents, of whom there are about 3300 and 14,000, respectively: Tem- perature about normal; precipitation nearly normal and fairly well dis- tributed, though more needed to put soil in good condition. Several light freezes. Cold wave during last few days slightly damaged oats in some northern counties, though oats and wheat generally promising. More oats sown, making acreage near average. Some ground broken for next year's crops. Fruit trees and strawberry plants in good condi- tion.-F. P. Chaff@. Arizona.-With temperature nearly normal and light rains generally over the Territory, the conditions were favorable for agricultural and stock interests. I n the southern and central sections alfalfa and other seasonal crops made good growth until the cold days the latter part of the month checked plant development. Plowing and seeding were still in progress, except in some portions of the northern section, where scarcity of water continued. Ranges ancl stock were in good condition.- H. K. Holcomh. Arkansns.-The temperature was nearly normal. The rainfall was deficient until the third decade, when general and heavy rains fell in all portions oP the State,except the northwest portion, effectually breaking the drought that had prerailed since August. Cotton practically all picked. Too dry flrst of month for plowing and too cold and wet latter part. Small acreage sown to winter grains, but where sown they did fairly well. Calgomia. -Nearly normal weather conditions prerailed daring the month. Severe frosts were frequent, but caused no niaterial damage to oranges or other crops. The heavy rainfall toward the close vf the month was of inestimable value to all farming interests in southern California, and other sections were also considerably benefited. Farm work had been very backward in the southern districts, but after the rains the soil was in good condition there and elsewhere and grain iiiade good growth.-Alezcmder G. b1cAdia. Colo7ado.-During the greater portion of the month the weather was exceptionally fine and mild. hut on the 25th a cold wave with snow es- tended over the State, the cold weather lasting to the close of the nwnth. With a few exceptions, the rangeb over the State were in goocl condition; also cattle, horses, and sheep. Stock water was generally sufficient for all requirements.-F. H. Brandemburg. Much plowing was accomplished and a gooil acreage was planted to oats; the early planted pushed forward, althlmgh the need of rain retarded growth somewhat. The month was colder than the average and there was a deficiency of more than an inch of rain. As a result vegetables were backward. During the latter part of the month tender vegetaldeb suf- fered slightly from frosts in tlie central district. Ice formed over the northern ancl western districts.-A. J. MitcL11. Georgia.-Temperature for the month was practically normal; low readings were registered from the 19th to the 22d and from tlie 29th to the 31st. The rainfall was slightly helow normal and well distributed. All conditions were favorable to agricultural pursuits. Grain germi- nated a good stand and macle rapid growth. Fruit trees were healthy and thrifty; many young peach trees were set out. Strawberries were in bloom in a few sections. Stock was in good condition.-J. B. Marbury. Idaho.-Weather pleasant most of the month, but became cold and stormy near its close. The minimum temperature for the State was the lowest on record for December. The range continued open later than usual, but was generally covered by the close of the month. The hay supply was good and stock was generally in good condition. Winter wheat was fairly good, though suffering in some localities from lack of snow covering. Trees were in good condition.-Edward L. Wells. lllinois.-The growth of wheat was retarded by extremely dry contli- tions during October and November. It had little snow protection dur- ing December. Rains toward the latter part of the month were of great beneflt, but the sudden change to very low temperatures on the '37th to 29th found the plant weak and small and not in good condition to with- stand, unprotectecl, the severe cold. It was feared that some injury ensued, but it was not possible to estimate the extent.- Wm. G. Burns. Indiana.-The ground was lightly covered with snow from the 10th to the 22d. The drought that had been more or less intense in all sections since the beginning of October was relieved by copious raius on the 22d-26th. When the snow disappeared, wheat, although small aud mostly thin, looked green and fairly vigorous. Considerable shocked corn was still in the fields, but the greater portion of the crop had been cribbed or marketed. Stripping tobacco was in progress during the last decade - W. T. BlytL. Alabama.-Weather generally mild and farorable for farm work. Stock healthy.-Edward B. Richards. Rorida.-The month was generally favorable for farm work. Winter plowing progressed favorably. Iowa.-With mean temperature and precipitation for the State nearly normal, December was generally favorable for the usual farm work and for feeding stock. During the first decade the weather was dry and very favorable for completing corn husking, and the crop was cribbed in ex- cellent condition. During the colclest weather winter grain and grass were protected by snow. The blizzard on the 27th was severe on stock, but not much loss was reported.-John R. Sage. Ka?~sas.--Wheat was in fair condition in many of the southern and eastern counties, and in good condition over the greater portion oP the State; but few unfavorable reports received. Corn was mostly gathered over a large part of the State; only a few counties reporting much still in the flelds. Stock was in good condition, but one county making an un- favorable report.- T. B. Jennings. Kenficcky.-Tlie temperature averaged somewhat below the normal, but no severe cold was experienced. The rainfall was about the normal, was fairly well dibtributed, and gave complete relief from the intense drought that prevailed during October and November. Winter wheat and rye improved greatly, but were still far from promising. Fruit trees were in good condition. Tobacco handling progressed well. Stock was generally in good condition.-H. E. Hersey. Louisiann.-The rainfall was well distributed throughout the month ancl, except in a few localities, was sufficient for agricultural interests. Preparations for spring planting were well advanced in some localities but were generally backward. Freezing temperatures occurred in the sugar region on several dates. The bulk of the sugar cane crop standing was windrowecl on adrices contained in Weather Bureau warnings. The outlook was that a large acreage would be planted to cane this season. Seed caue generally was in good condition.-1. Af. Cline. dfarylnnd und Delaurare.-Inc~lenient weather, due to storms of 5th. loth, 17th and 'd7th, and steady, moderately cold weather, with normal precipitation, prevailed during the month. The temperature averaged more than 5O per day helow normal. The snowfall, seventeen inches, was the greatest on record at Baltimore for December; about half fell on the loth, and for two weeks thereafter protected and greatly benefited vegetation throughout the section. Wheat had recovered niuch by the end of the month, ancl was generally in aveiage condition.- Oliver L. Fnssig. bfichigan.-The cold, moderately dry weather of Decemher was not tlie most desirable for winter wheat and rye, although the actual effect will not be discernitile until nest bpring, and even then Bith favorable conditions may be entirely counterbalanced. The grouncl in the principal Winter wheat counties was bare much o f the month. A t tlie close oP December wheat and rye did not show any marked change since the end of November and continued fairly promising in appearance.-C. F. Schneider. 3~ininllesotcr.-~~oderately cold periods occurred on t h e 12tli, 13th, 27th, anrl 28th, with the lowest temperature for the mnnth generally on the 28th. Warm periods occurred on the 7th, Hth, 3Utl1, anrl 31st, with the highest temperature for the month on the 30th and 31st. The precipitation was practically all suow, the largest amounts falling late in the month. Farm work was about all finished before December 1.-T. B. Outram. diiseiseippi.-The weather during the month was generally fatorable, althongh excesbive rains in the northern counties during the last week were somewhat damaging to the soil, lJritlges, aud unpicked cotton. The gathering of crops was completed, excepting a little cotton in scattered localities. A small acreage of oats was sown in the south and boule plowing was done in the east, but not much farm work was accom- plished.- W. L. Belden. i%fissourc.-The weather during the month of December, 1904, was gen- erally favorable for winter crops. The moisture received, while not suf- ficient fur all purposes, greatly improved the condition of wheat and rye. Ground wa5 fairly well covered with mow during coldest spells, and at close of month wheat was in fair conclition and free from insects, except in a few scattered localities. Consitlerable corn in 4~ocli still in the fields, weather having been rather too dry for husking. Fall sown grasses in fair condition.- George Reeder. dfontctna-Mild, open weather prevailed till the alst, when general, though light, precipitation began, lasting about three days, and was fol- lowed by unseasonably cold till the 28th. Snowfall was too light to inter- fere materially with grazing, and practically uo feeding of stock was neceb- sary. Cattle awl sheep were for the itiobt part strong and vigorous and in condition to endure the sever? weather uhual later in the season. Fall sown grain failed to germinate east of tlie mountains because of ab- sence of moisture, but came up and nisde fair growth west oP the main divide.-R. F. I'oicng. Nebraah-The dry weather and nioderate temperatwe of the month allowed rapid progress in corn husking and nearly all of the corn was secured before the end oP the month. While the soil continued diy and without a covering of snow throughout the month, little or no damage rnsulted t o winter wheat. The mild weather was favorable for stock, which was in excellent condition in all parts of the State.-G. A. Loveland. Nevada.-Temperature slightly above normal. Precipitation some- what deficient. Weather generally fair during flrst and second decades; DECEXBER, 1904. MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. 651 BUYMARY OF TEMPEBATlJBE AND PREOIPITATIOR BY BEUTIONB, DECEMBER, 1904. In the following table are given, for the various sections of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau, the aver- age temperature and rainfall, the stations reporting the highest and lowest temperatures with dates of occurrence, the stations reporting greatest and least monthly precipitation, anil other data, as indicated by the several headings. The mean te1 )eratures for each section, the highest and lowest temperatures, the average precipitation, and the great- est and least monthly amounts are found by using all trust- worthy records available. The mean departures from normal temperature and precipi- tation are based only on records from stations that have ten or more years of observation. Of course the number of such records is smaller than the total number of stations. Section. Alabama ............... Arisoua ........... Arkansas .............. Califoruia. ............. Colorado ............... Florida ................ Georgia ................ . Idaho. ................. Illinois ................ Indiana.. .............. Iowa ................... Kansas ................ Keutucky .............. Louisiana. ............. Maryland and Delaware Michigan .............. Yiuuesota ............. Mississippi ............ Missouri ............... Montana.. ............. Nebraska .............. Nevada ................ New Euglaud*. ........ New Jersey ............ New Mexico ........... North Carolina ........ Territories. Oregon ................ Pennsylvania .......... Porto Rico ............. South Carolina ......... South Dakota .......... Tennessee ............. Tesas ................ Utah.. ................ Virginia ............... West Virgiuia ........ Wisconsin ............. Wyoming ............. ______ Temperature-in degrees Fahrenheit. Milford, Del.. ...... 66 ........... 6 2 57 57 Crystal Springs.. 55 Vichv ........ .............. ............ Ncrth 1,onp. ........ ................ 1 , I E I ~O Provincetowii.RIREs.1 61 i 6 ..... 60 .. 7s 60 75 ............. 60 ... 80 New England (.'it?. . 55 ......... 55 .......... 651 Eldorndo. Okla. ..... 76 Ravin. In#l. Ter.. .I i 6 ......... 39.4 1 - 0 .5 1lj ... ..... 6:; ......... i l i s 95 ............. ........... ......... I i? ............... 75 ............. 92 81 ......... i o 50 36.9 '+ 1.9 Southbend .......... i U E. 5: 1 - 2.6 c;rsftou, P1iilippi.. . i l 19.1 I- 0.1 Whitehall .......... 58 1 1 7 I + 1. 9 1 Pine Rloff, Story.. . 9s ........ '- 3'4 liC:ape Henry .I ~ ~ ~~~ --L *Maine, New Hampshire, Veruiout. Rlasmchusetts, Khodi Ertaucia ... Clraz!' .... Liu ville ... Medora .... Ornugeville 5 stations . . ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... 4 .3 0. s4 5. io 3. 04 0. 55 1. !li 2. 59 1, a 2 1. 93 3.4R I . 44 0. 64 4.30 5. 74 3. 50 1. $4 0. s2 5.31 I . 50 IO. 85 0.20 0. 51 2.46 3.19 n. i v 2. 55 :;. 31 u. G:! 3. on 0. i!) 7.15 2. 4s 2.40 2. i 9 0.46 6. u i 2. OG 0.74 3.71 4. 7.5 ;:.I? 1.45 0. 6H Aberdeen.. ......... 1.60 ' Ledie.. ........... ./ 0.00 1~ Meinphis ........... 10.40 Le:tdvale ........... 3.00 -o..w Kawlilanil.. ........ .~ 10.03 i~ 3 stntious.. ........ .i 0.00 -0. IS ' I Huntsville. ........ ..... ..........I 0. 00 ........ 1.?U .......... 0.55 +ti. 65 nrndison ............. ............ 0. -19 ............ ........... T. laud. aiid C'ouuecticut. cloudy and stormy on 23d, Nth, 30th, anil 31st. The condition of winter range was generally above average; stock did well, with less feeding than usual. Considerable snow fell in the high ranges the latt,er part of month. Outlook good for a satisfactory water supply the corning season.-J. H. Smith. New EngZamL-The past December was the coldest of record, tlie nest lowest mean temperature for Decelnlm hariug beeu !2l.l0 iu 1890. The cold weather was very favorable to the ice harvest which progresseil to completion in many sections. The general covering of snow and ice was favorable to grass and winter grain. The water famine was somewhat relieved by the general and heavy rains of the %'th.-J. W. Smith. Nem Jersey.-The month was the coldest since the est,ahlishment of this service, 1557. As the ground was well blanketed with snow during the entire month iu the northern and central, and up to the dSth i n the southern section, grain and grass were well protected frotti the severe freezing weather and were in very good condition. Lat,e sown wlieat in the southern section was greatly improvecl by tlie slowly melting mow. The average depth of snowfall, 19.1 inches, was the great,est on record.- Edward W. dicGann. New M&co.-The month was somewhat stormy and rather cold and windy over much of the Territory. Considerable suow occurred, stock water wits lilentiful, the subsoil was well moistened, aud outlook for later plowing, heeding, and range was wry gnod. Stock was mostly doing well, although the range wab very short iu the northeast districts and shriukage wah reported from Lincoln County. Little or no loss was re- pnrtrd from stormsand niiicli good was eqlected from the lleavy deposits of qnow.--Chm-Zm E. Linney. New I-ork-The iiioiitli was the coldest December for a number of gears and was rather dry, but minter graiu arid grass were well protected I J ~ snow until tlie 2.3~1 and were in good condition a t the close of the inonth. Many ~volls ancl dreams were dry until the drought was broken by a general rain on the 47th. The conditions werd generally favorable for live stock.-R. G . Allen. North CicroZina.--On the whole the Meather dnriug December was not iletrimental to crops. The coli1 period from the 11th to 16th checked growth somewhat, but the develop~nent of the roots of the minter cereals was not hindered thereby. There mas a favorallle covering of snow during the iniddle of the month. Most o f the winter wheat was sown late, so that iiiuc.Ii mas not up, that which whs up showecl a good stand. Fall oat5 ant1 rye were nearly all up and looked well.-C. F. von Herrmantb. North Dakota.-The temperature and precipitation were slightly in es- cess of the normal. The snowfall was not heavy enough to interfere 552 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW. DECEMBER, 1904 with stock feeding on the open ranges, but was suficient to satisfy thirst, and stock, as a rule, came through the month in good condition.- B. H. Brmon. Ohio.-Wheat was very small and thin on the ground the first of the month, owing t o dry and unfavorable weather, but was well protected by snow during the low temperatures of the middle of the month. Abundant rain fell from the 23d to 27th, and greatly improved the pros- pect. It was feared, however, that the sudden freezing of the ground on the 27th caused considerable damage to unprotected plants. Rye was looking well. Corn husking was not completed. Tobacco cured well and was of good quality.-J. Warren Smith. Oklahonia and Indian Territorie8.-Moderate temperatures prevailell during the month. The precipitation was decicledly below the nornial, but was fairly well distributed over the section. Wheat was greatly benefited by occasional snowfall during tlie month, but the general con- dition of the crop was poor to fair.-C. Jf. Strong. Oregon.-East of the Chscade Mountains the rainfall was insufficient for rapid germination, and fall wheat made slow growth. Pasturage in this section was generally short, and considerable extra feeding was clone. West of tlie Cascade Mountains the rains were heavier, and plowing and seeding were finished earlier than usual. Fall crops in this sectitnu germinated nicely, and at the end of the month t,hey all were well rc)ot.etl and presented a green and thrifty appearance.-~~urctrtH A. Beak. Penneyliiania..-At the beginning of the month early sown grain rangrcl from fair to good, but a large acreage of late sown had gerniinat,ed n.nd developed slowly on account of prevailing drought condit,icins. Tlir average stlowfall (13.4 inches') was much in excess of the usual aniount, and grain, meadows, and pastures were doubtless unusually well pro- tected.- T. F. Toumaeiid. Port0 Rico.-Weather generally clear to partly cloudy, with rainfall be- low normal; favorable for the matnring oP canes. Sugar making cou- tinued throughout the nionth in the southern division, ani1 tlie yield was generally better than at this season last year. Young canes did well; more than the usual amount was planted. Some cotton picked; yielil satisfactory. Coffee picking tliroughout the mont.li; yield very light. Oranges plentiful and of good quality. Home corn aud beans harresterl. Pasturage fair and stock in goocl condition.-E. C. Thompson. South Carolina.-The month was colder than usual, although without any severe cold waves. The precipit,ation was approximately normal and was ample, as most of it was absorbed as it fell. Wheat. aiid oat seeding was nearly completed, though retarded somewhat I J ~ frozen ground and snow in the western portions. Truck was damaged on the coast by the killing frost of the 15th. Little plowing was done for qiring planting, as the soil was generally too wet.. Streams continued escep- tlonally low, though rising slowly toward the close of the month-J. W. Bauer. Soctth Dakota.-Except during a stormy and cold period from the 26th to 28111, the weather was very favoralile for the grazing uf stoc,lc on tlie open ranges. I n some localities deficient soil moisture was unfavorable for winter rxe and the limited acreage of winter wheat,. Live stock aiicl range pasturage were in very good condition and reports indicated a sufficient supply of hay and coarse feed on hand for winter. Corn husking was completed under very favorable condit,ions.- 8. W. Gleiis. Moderate rains fell a t intervals and heavy amount,s on the 26-25th. Early sown wheat a t the end of the month was looking well, as a rule, and the rains during the month were beneficial in bringing up late sown grain. Winter oats were not in good condition, owing to previous clrouglit and t o poor geriiiina- tion.-H. C. Bate. Turn.-Drougthy conditions continued with increasing severity over Tenneesee.-The month was generally mild. the entire section during the first and second decades of the month, but during the third decade these conditions were fully relieved over the eastern and coast divisions and partially so over the other parts of the State, but more rain is needed in some places. The temperatures of the month were above normal until about the 35th, when a cold wave of considerable intensity caused freezing temperatures, with frost, to the coast line. All harvesting operations, ewept the gatheling of some little cotton in a few o€ the webtern c~unties and the grinding of bome cane in the coabt district, were completed and preparatory work for a new crop wah well aclvanced. Early bonn grain made some advance but the late sown was inferior and backward, the stand being bad and growth re- tarded 1)y uufa\ orable weather conditions. Trucking interezts prospered and Iasturage was unusually good and abandant, except where the i 1 t oug l i t continued .- W. H. A lexmttler. Ufcih.-The precipitation iluring the month mas below the normal and inzuficient fnr the needs of the soil, which was very dry owing to the long tlrought. Temperatures were allore normal, except near the close o f the montli. when they fell in son18 llistricts to below zero. Fall grain was generally in poor conilition and in some localities the sped remained doimiint owing to lack of suflicient moisture. Ranges offelell no 611s- ten:tnc*e, but stock mas kept iri good condition t#y feediug.-8. J. Hyatt. T'iryinicr.-The weather for r)ect=tnl)pr wab lather inore favorable for than in either o f the two 1)receilinr: months Although it was quite cold, especially ilurinp the aecoud decade, a good snow cover- ing obtained, and this, with anil)le nioi5tnrr a t other times, was of great benefit to cloxer and to the fall wedecl crops of wheat, oats, rye, and lJarlt*y.-Ef!loard A . Ecrnri~. TF(f8liitf!ito)r.-The milt1 weather was generally favoralde for the fall sown wheat. Drought during the fall greatly delayed seeding, ancl also retarded gerniiuatioii and growth. so that the wheat \vas generally shoi-t, but was of suo11 culor and fairly good cclnrlition in Spoliani. ancl Whitman counties. I n tht. central coitnties i t gerrni late, so that the crop was not vigorous. In southeast counties the ct was Ilelow average. Owing to clrought much grain failed to ge e, making reseeding necessary. No snow covering in east aut1 soutlieast counties.-G. N. Sri Zw-bi/r!y. Weat I7irginia-The weather was dry and iluite cold duiing the greater portio11 of the month, antl tlie ground was cu\ erecl with snow from the 5th to the 94th. The snow was all tahen off 1)) the heavy rainfall of the !24-'?ith, and the war111 spell a t tllat time \vas followed by high winds and a fieeze on the 2Sth. The drought then lrroken had continued from late summer ancl was undoulketlly the mwt herere in years. At the close of the month. wheat, rye. and oats were in very poor condition and the prnspects were not favorable; stock was in fairly good coiidition.-E. C. T'oae. TFiwanmn.-Tlie feature of the nionth \\as tlie btorm that passed over the southeastern portion of the State on tlie dSth, causing very heavy s n ~w and sleet