Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-12-20

Ientirely to the arid or semi-arid re-
gions of the west and the rice lanas
OF dhe gulf coast, but in time 1t will
doubtless be practiced largely In tho
more humid regions of the country
as 1t is in similar regions of the old
world. The irrigated area now un-
der cultivation in this country is IL
100000 acres, and the crops grown
on this area in 1907 were worth not
less than S175,OOO,OOO. Next year
II present prices are maintained. the
products of irrigation farming should
be worth 100000.
Corn Crop.
Speaking of the chief crop. the
secretary says that corn ranks first
in Importance. Besides its large use
as a human food, as a livestock
feed, the starch of corn becomes
the fat of the hog and the finish of
the steer" thus becoming a great
factor in the production OF meats
and meat products for export. While
not as large as that OF 1906. the
value OF the corn crop OF 1908 is
greater and is &c per cent above the
average value OF the crops of the
preceding five years. He adds that
eight such crops as that OF 1907
would pay for duplicating every mile
of steam railroad in the United
States, with terminals. rolling stock
and all property.
Cotton Crop.
In value the cotton crop of 1907,
estimated TO be from $3.50 900 900
to $675,000,000 takes the third
place, II in the final estimates II does
not displace hay for second rank.
The commercial expectations are
that the crop will be found to be the
third one in size ever raised, and
perceptibly larger than the average
cron Of the previous FIVE years.
Though its farm value is probably
little below that of last years
crop. in other respects II will be the
most valuable cotton crop ever raised
In this country, and per cent above
the average farm value OF the crops
OF the previous ave years.
outside OF the British East Indies,
the production OF cotton in the Brit
ish colonies, possessions. and protec-
torates was 1868 bales of 500 pounds
gross weight in 1904 and 10,O1C
bales In 1905. In the French colo
nies, except French India and Indo-
China. 400 bales were produced In
1904; In the German colonies, 1900
bales In 1905.
Wheat Crop.
The wheat crop OF 1907 is 625,
576, 900 bushels, per cent less than
the average quantity for the five pre-
ceding years. But the value is about
$500. 900. 900. or 5h per cent moro
than the average. although the crops
OF 1901, 1909 and 1906 had each {
slightly higher value than that o.
this year.
Sugar, Molasscs and Sirup.
The farm value OF sugar beets, su
gar beets. sugar cane. sorghum cane
and molasses and sirup made on thS
farm is sG4. 100000 Sugar made
IN sugar mills Cincluding raw can.
sugar. amounts TO $4,000 short
tons, worth s7s.OOO.OOO. Other
products OF the sugar mills bring the
value up TO $4,000. 900; three
fourths OF this is farm value.
other crops.
The oat crop-741.521. 600 bushels
lis 19 per cent below the five-year
average. but the value is 26 per cent
above the average, or s36O,OOO,OO0'
Potatoes-292427.OOO bushels
are per cent above the average;
the value is s1sO,OOO.OOO, or 26 per
cent above the average.
Barley also is 2 per cent above the
average in quantity, while the value
IS extraordinary, about SO per cent
above the average The quantity Is
l147192 .O0O bushels, the yalne sllb,'
l00O. 900.
Tobacco declined 10 645,2ls,OOO
pounds, II per cent below the aver
lTWO-ENORMOUs. o.. .. =,
age in quantity, with a value OF
s67 ,OOO,O or y per cent above
the average. The crop is smaller
than for many years.
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