The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-31

AAeN - - ot ABafC hCtNQ
The first bale of the present crop
grown IN this county was marketed on
August 2s. an unusually early date for
TINS locality. Within the last few days
there have been local rains In Alabama
and an ample and well distributed rain
iall throughout the state at this time
would unquestionably be of great benefit,
especially to late cotton. With the reports
before us, however, we are unable to fig
ure out crop any larger than last years,
and summing up the totals of estimates
by counties submit l,3ov6O0 bales as the
indicated yield dn 5O0-pound baes) OF
the present crop in Alabama.
This compares, including linters, with
l,367,136 bales in 1912, 1,735.95l bales in 1911,
1221, 225 bales in 1910. 1,065,317 bales in 1909,
1850, 500 bales in 1908 and 1,133,2S5 bales in
1907. According to the census bureau the
number of acres planted in cotton in Ala
bama in 1912 was 3,730,000; in 1911 4,017000;
in 1910 3.560,000; in 1909, 3731,000; in 1908,
S59fO0O, and in 1907, 3, 1890 The yield of
lint per acre was 1873 pounds in 1912, 216
pounds in 1911, Ill pounds in 1910, 142
pounds in 1909. 1870 pounds in 1903 and 165
pounds in 1897, an average for the six
years of l7S pounds per acre.
Yield Per Acre
Assuming that this years acreage is
greater than that of 1912, and somewhat
less than that of 1911, or 3,s5O,0OO acres,
and that the yield per acre will be up
to the last six years average, we would
have an indicated crop in the state of L.
370600 bales, practically the same as last
years, and not greatly out of line with
the aggregate of detailed estimates by
counties compiled from figures furnished
by our correspondents.
The percentage of the Alabama cotton
crop for the past six years to the total
crop of the United States has been 81
per cent in 1912, 1913 per cent in 1911, 1872
per cent In 1910, 10.2 per cent in 1863. 10.1
per cent In 1908 and 10 per cent in 1907,
or an average of 101 per cent. Should
this ratio hold good for another season,
the Alabama crop will become an impor-
tant factor in estimating the total Amer
ican crop. The pronounced advance III
the market price of the staple during the
past two weeks shows that reports OF
damage throughout the cotton belt west
of the Georgia line are regarded as well
founded.
Corn Conditions
.eWhile the condition of corn appears TO
be low in some counties, 1t is high in sew
eral and the general average is good.
Mobile county leads with % per cent in
crease in acreage and 40 per cent condi-
ton, and other counties in the boil weevil
area. make a 1lne SfOMlIS.f 1cSpiltt liir
drouth it would appear that, taking into
consideration the greatly increased acre
age, freer use of fertilizer and better
methods of cultivation. the corn crop
this year is the largest ever made in
Alabama
Should present prices hold, the crop
will be marketed rapidly, but any violent
slump would curtail the movement With
few exceptions our correspondents state
10. l<o. rod Tor Aaf1nN "
toward economy this year, and that the
disposition of debtors to pay up is as
strong as the desire of creditors to collect
"a most healthy indication. A moderate
cotton crop Will bring more money than
large one, and IL the state has made
a bumper corn crop, conditions in the
farming sectiMs will be vastly improved
this fan. Accx ding TO the census bureau,
the aggregate value of the cotton crop.
including cotton seed in Alabama. was,
in 1872 500, ,2S0 000 in 1911 500, 10000 in 1919,
s9S, $50 000 in 1909, $50, 100000, showing that
the moderate crop u.221.225 bales) of 1910
brought s5.t-A 900 more money than the
bumper crop of 1911 d,725,951 bales), and
that the short crop of 1863 Q.o65,377 bales,
60 per cent of the 1911 crop brought only
s15.9C9.000 les money. or about 16 per cent
The Money Market
IAN anxiety as TO money stringency
has been relieved, due partly to the lib
eral attitude of the banks in New York
and other financial centers, and partly
to the wise and patriotic action taken by
the Secretary of the Treasury at Wash
ington in placing nearly s50,0oo,0OO of pub
lie money on deposit with southern and
western banks to aid in moving the crops.
IAN improvement is noted in the fina Il
cial situation abroad, and a good invest
ment demand is reported in France. The
rise in foreign investment securities is
reflected in this country. and there has
been a good advance in some of the
standard stocks and bonds during the
month. The tariff debate in the Senate
is drawing to a close and the final enact
ment of the bill before the end OF Sep
tember is predicted.
The Currency Bill
The Glass currency bill has been APP
proved by the democratic caucus in the
house and will on'go to the Senate for
consideration by that body. The chair
man of the Senate finance committee,
Senator owen, has announced that a
hearing will be given the committee of
bankers appointed at the Chicago con-
ference ON August %. While it is evident
that the Fundamental features of the bin
will not be altered, it Is believed that
some OF the changes recommended Dy the
bankers win be Incorporated in the Sen
ate bill and confidence Is expressed that
it will become law during the present
session of Congress. and that 1t win
prove to be a fairly satisfactory and
workable measure
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
BIRMINGHAM"
In the First Nationals report, which
will be published In pamphlet form
Wednesday. a table giving a summary
of corn and cotton will appear.
From Banks Correspondents
Autauga-Cotton opening prematurely on
account of 6South. Good crop of oats.
Pans nlr,anst n failure Inr crnra cr,na Ii