is in a difficult position. Pasture and range feed is fair to good in most counties north of an east to west line through Madera but is deteriorating rapidly in theater foothills and mountains and is already matured up to the 4,000-feet level. South hes of of the above line, feed in most places is very short, with failure in spots. The nea stock-water shortage is getting acute and soon will embrace practically all of the tota foothill, coast, and Sierra ranges except the north coast, thus restricting range tuck utilization.

The average condition of pastures for the State is now 11 points below average. ; So Condition is above average in the Sacramento Valley counties and the north-cipa eastern districts; but ratings will decrease during each of the next 4 months, so fall that the critical stage will come later. Irrigated pastures are near normal, but prin the water shortage and advancing hay prices will limit utilization by stock. For t Barley and wheat stubble, and beet fields will soon care for their usual block of tes stock but for no excess, and prices for this grazing land are advancing. Avail-t able concentrates and hay are sufficient to care for this State's distress stock pi but costs prohibit their general use for maintenance at current prices for stock. a Considerable stock has been moved from local acute drought areas to other sec-ota tions, and there have been some forced sales, but not yet on a wholesale scale. The Stock is in good condition except in limited dry sections but will show a lower fo condition each month until late fall.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE TO JUNE 1

(By the Weather Bureau)

Extr

At the end of May the most extensive drought in the climatological history of M the United States had developed in the interior and in the Northwestern and ord Western States. In the Northwest precipitation, prior to 1934, had been below t normal for several years. For example, in Minnesota every one of the last 58 years, up to and including 1933, had below normal rainfall, with an accumulated deficiency of 18.62 inches, and since the beginning of 1934 the accumulated short-h age has become greater at a more rapid rate than theretofore. The accumulated deficiency for North Dakota during the past 5 years is 12.54 inches, while for the d 3 spring months, from March to May, inclusive, in 1934, there was an average in for the State of only 1.27 inches, which was by far the lowest ever recorded for be these months. In the Ohio Valley the drought is of more recent inception. In this area the deficiencies in rainfall began generally just about a year ago, but i nearly every month since then has had less than the normal.

The present drought differs in several respects from that of 1930, and in some ways is very unusual. Seldom does a severe drought begin so early in the year, and in no other case of record has a severe drought at any time covered such extensive areas as the present one. In general, it is severe throughout the Ohio and central and upper Mississippi Valleys, the Central and Northern Plains, most of the Rocky Mountain sections, and in the Great Basin of the West. The areas most affected include eastern Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, extreme western and northwestern Texas, and the eastern parts of the Rocky Mountain States. The 1930 drought spread from the East Central States westward over the central valleys, while the present one has spread from the Northwest westward, southward, and eastward. The 1930 drought was not nearly so extensive as the present one.

Rainfall for May 1934 was the least of record for that month in a half dozen States of the Central Valleys and the Northern Plains. North of the Cotton Belt most States had from less than one-fifth to only about one-third of the normal rainfall. Ohio, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and the eastern parts of Washington and Oregon had percentages for the month ranging from 27 percent to 34 percent. It was the driest May of record in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota. It was the second driest of record in Kentucky Minnesota, Nebraska, and Montana. In Nebraska only one May (1894) has been drier, and that May had only 0.05 inch more than this year. The average rainfall in Ohio for May was only 0.83 inch, and the previous driest May of record

had twice that much.

The spring season, March to May, inclusive, was the driest of record in both the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois; the second driest of record in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Kansas. In Illinois, for example, the total rainfall for the 3 months was only 4.21 inches; the previous low record, 6.06 inches, was more than 40 percent greater than this year. In Minnesota the previous low spring record, of 3.39 inches, was more than 20 percent

greater than the 2.79 inches received this spring. North Dakota had only 1.27 inches of rain during the 3 months; the previous low record, 2.15 inches in 1901, was nearly 70 percent greater than the rainfall this spring. The following shows the total spring rainfall for the several States in the principal grain sections: Kentucky, 8.54; Ohio, 5.89; Indiana, 5.75; Illinois, 5.21; Michigan, 4.92; Wisconsin, 4.71; Minnesota, 2.79; Iowa, 3.22; Missouri, 6.64; Kansas, 4.69; Nebraska, 2.22; South Dakota, 2.06; North Dakota, 1.27; Montana, 2.46. In Kansas the principal drought appears in the west, where only 41 percent of the normal rainfall occurred in May, while in Washington, the eastern part of the State, or the principal wheat-growing section, had only 33 percent of normal.

For the 12 months ended with May 1934, the Northwestern and Central Valley States had only from a little more than 50 percent of normal in the Northern Great Plains to from 60 to 70 percent in the Central Plains, and the Central Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. It was the driest similar period (1 year) of record in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska; it was the second driest in Ohio and Michigan.

The widespread nature of the drought is shown by the following records: In Ohio, for the 12 months ended with May, the accumulated deficiency in rainfall was 11.46 inches, Illinois 14.63; Nebraska 8.36; North Dakota 8.32; and Utah 5.21 inches.

Extremely high temperature during May in the interior valleys and the Northwest intensified the effect of the scanty rainfall. Not only on a number of occasions were the previous high May records of temperature broken, but over considerable sections it was the warmest May ever known. For example, at Des Moines, the average May temperature of 71° was not only the highest of record, but equaled the June normal. In the Northern Plains the averages for most stations were higher than the normal for June. Huron, S.Dak., had a May average of 70° which was 4° higher than the June normal, while the Rapid City mean of 67° was 3° higher than the normal for June. Throughout this northwestern section it was not uncommon for maximum temperatures to range from 100° to 104° for several days in succession. Dust storms were numerous

and damaging.

areas.

Since Saturday morning June 2, up to 8 p.m. Monday June 4, the situation has been greatly relieved by moderate to fairly heavy showers over considerable The sections most benefited include much of Indiana and Illinois, central and western Iowa, south-central Missouri, southwestern Kansas, most of South Dakota, and the western half of Montana, the latter especially having good rains. In these areas the total falls at many stations have ranged from a quarter of an inch up to 1 inch or slightly more. However, other sections have had only light showers and a good many stations still report no rain. Although these showers have been very helpful they have not been general enough or heavy enough to definitely relieve the situation, which will require much heavier rains of a more general character.

COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES AND OTHER SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE BY THE BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

California. In general the stream discharges at this time are from 30 to 40 percent of the normal flow. The shortage of irrigation water from streams is being made up in part by pumping from underground supplies. This additional burden is rapidly lowering the groundwater table so that the cost of pumping becomes greater as time goes on. Wherever the additional water supply can be obtained by deepening the wells or increasing their number, it is probable that a normal crop will be produced this year. A notable exception is that portion of the foothill citrus belt in Fresno and Tulare Counties where geological conditions prevent further deepening of wells. Elsewhere the water table can be followed downward so long as the process is profitable or necessary to salvage crops or trees. Representatives of the Bureau of Agricultural Engineering are now engaged in making a detailed survey of drought conditions in the irrigated sections of the San Joaquin Valley.

Colorado. Percentage of each year's stream flow to long-time mean based on report of Robert Follonsbee, district engineer, United States Geological Survey:

NOTE.-The high temperatures during March and April 1934 induced earlier run-off than usual, at the expense of that during succeeding months, and therefore the true percentages for October 1933 to April 1934 should be somewhat less than indicated.

wa

pr

"This succession of dry years has so reduced the ground-water levels that more than normal precipitation will be required to replenish them and produce normal stream flow."

"The Weather Bureau reports on snowfall indicate a serious deficiency, and this deficiency, together with the depleted ground-water levels, indicates low stream flow during the coming months."

The Weather Bureau report contains the following:

"With normal weather, conditions hereafter, the seasonal flow in the various rivers, expressed in percentage of normal, will be approximately as follows: North Platte 41, South Platte 47, Arkansas 50, Rio Grande 35, San Juan and Dolores 32, Gunnison 432, Colorado 53, Yampa and White (northwest Colorado) 51."

As regards storage and reservoirs, the condition as reported by various agencies is as follows:

Idaho. From a report made to the Governor of Idaho on May 22 by a special committee appointed to investigate this project, the following is quoted with regard to supply of irrigation water:

"We have reports from 45 water districts, comprising 1,983,000 acres of irrigated lands, or about 80 percent of the total irrigated area of the State, which reports show the general average water supply to be approximately 56 percent of normal, with many districts with practically no water at all as of this date. "Many streams which have heretofore been relied upon to furnish a generous supply of irrigation water are now dry. Farmers and stockmen are hauling water long distances for domestic and stock water. Without doubt, this will prove to be the driest year in the history of the State.

"Crop losses in the water districts alone are estimated at $22,400,000, and about 30,000 people will require relief in such districts."

New Mexico. There is danger of a serious water shortage in the irrigated sections of this State unless there is a large increase in river flow during future rains. Estimates of stream flow at the present time run about 25 to 35 percent of normal, with streams dry in some places at the present time. For instance, the supply for irrigation from the Gila River is 50 percent less than normal, while the river is almost dry at the New Mexico-Arizona State line. Ground water, where it is available, affords the usual supply at present. The condition at various reservoirs throughout the area is as follows:

Storrie project...

Elephant Butte

Storage will be exhausted about June 10,
25 percent of normal supply.
Serious shortage.

No water in storage.

Approximately 1 year's supply in storage.

Oregon. The stream flow generally throughout the irrigation section is about 50 percent of the normal flow for this season of the year. The cropping season all over the State is about 1 month ahead of usual, so that all crops will be harvested several weeks ahead of the usual date and consequently the water supply later in the season will not be so important as it usually is. The following tabulation is from the State engineer's records:

Storage in Oregon irrigation reservoirs, spring of 1934—Continued

"All but 2 or 3 of these reservoirs are normally filled each year so the storage supply is less than half of the normal.'

"The Harney Basin is probably the hardest-hit region from an irrigation standpoint."

Utah. In Utah the water supply will vary from 25 to 75 percent of recent years, averaging from 40 to 50 percent. It is expected that one full crop of alfalfa and one short crop of alfalfa will be obtained. Late crops will be in difficulty. Utah Lake has about two-thirds of a supply, Bear Lake about the same. From Bear Lake approximately 108,000 acres are irrigated, much of which is in sugar beets which furnish labor for many people in the fields and in the factory, and are a source of sheep feed. The hay crop will be very short, but there is a good carryover. Arrangements have been made through a loan from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to secure 75,000 acre feet of water from Utah Lake by pumping and 90,000 acre feet from Bear Lake.

Wyoming. The situation in Wyoming is quite alarming not only as regards the supply of irrigation water for crop production but also from the standpoint of water supply for domestic use and for livestock. It has been indicated that, if water cannot be supplied to some 2,500 to 3,500 ranch farmers who have hitherto been self-supporting, they will necessarily have to be carried on some sort of relief rolls almost immediately.

DROUGHT RELIEF SERVICE, AGRICULTural ADJUSTMENT ADMINISTRATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-CERTIFICATION NO. 9 AS OF JUNE 11, 1934, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

Colorado.-Bent.

EMEREGNCY DROUGHT COUNTIES

Wisconsin.-Clark, Eau Claire, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Rusk, Taylor.

SECONDARY DROUGHT COUNTIES

New Mexico.-Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Socorro.

Oklahoma.-Ellis, Woods, Woodward.

Oregon.-Crook.

Texas. Andrews, Borden, Cochran, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Reeves, Scurry, Terry, Ward, Winkler, Yoakum.