Evening journal., 1914-07-11

GFTepared by the United States Depart
mont Of Agrieulture.)
The level Of prices paid producers OF
she United States for the principal
crops increased about 1.S per cent dur
ing April in the past six years the
price level has increased during April
s.2 per cent; thus, the increase this
year IS less than usual
Since December /. the index figure
OF crop prices has advanced "a per
cent; during the same period year
ago the advance was 5.s per cent, and
the average for the past six years has
been an advance OF Ill per cent
On May 1 the index figure Of crop
prices was about II per cent higher
than year ago, but 1873 per cent low
or than two years ago and 1.S per cent
higher than the average OF the past
six years on May l.
The level Of prices paid to producers
OF the United States for meat animals
increased O.4 per cent during the
month from March Is to April is.
which compares with an increase OF
81 per cent IN the same period year
as0, an increase Of 1877 per cent two
years ago, a decrease Of AZ per cent
three years ago, and an increase Of as
--per- cent four years ago.
From December Is to April 15 the
advance In prices for meat animals
has been 8 per cent; whereas during
the same period year ago the ad-
vance was 14.6 per cent, and two years
ago 1873 per cent, while three years
ago there was decline in price Of 66
per cent during this period.
On April 15 the average (weighted)
price OF meat nnimals-hogs, cattle,
sheep and chickens-was $7.40 per 100
pounds. which is or per cent higher
than the prevailing price a year ago.
f7.5 per cent higher than two years
ago, 27.6 per cent higher than three
years ago, and a. per cent lower than
four years ago on April IS.
The number Of colonies OF bees In
the United States this year appears to
be about four per cent above the num-
Der last year, and ? per cent above
recent years. Decreases compared
both with last year and recent years
are reported in the New England
states, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mis-
souri,. Nebraska, Kansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana and California. The loss in
California and In majority Of the
other states named was due to a se-
we're epidemic OF foul-brood disease.
Increases are particularly marked In
the North Central, Rocky mountains
and Pacific coast states, except as al
ready noted
The condition OF the colonies Is re-
ported to be about 0s per cent OF a
normal, taking the United States as a
whole. The condition is about 5 per
cent above normal. however, IN the
Rocky mountain and Pacific coast
states. The condition Of colonies com
pared with last spring Is about 4 per
cent better. being reported as inferior
only in Maine, Massachusetts, Connect
icut Virginia. West Virginia. Georgia,
Ohio, Indiana. Illinois. Kansas, Ken
tuchy and Mississippi. Il Is generally
better than last spring in the North
central states and very much better In
the Rocky mountain and Pacific coast
states.
The condition Of nectar-bearlng
plants averages about 80 per cent OF
q normal for the United States as
whole, ranging in the neighborhood Of
80 In all the country east Of the Rock
les, excepting Texas. where 1t Is 115,
and about los per cent In the Rocky
mountain and Pacific coast states, be-
ing highest, 100 per cent. in Califor-
MIA. Compared with last year the con
dition Of nectar-bearing plants aver
ages 8 per cent higher for the United
States, being generally slightly below
last year east Of the Rockies, except in
Texas. where it is SO per cent better,
and decidedly better in the Rocky
mountain and Pacific coast states.
reaching the very high figure Of It's
per cent compared with last year in
California. where moisture conditions
In the white sage country presage 4
bountiful nectar flow.
In the important honey.produe,ns
states OF Texas. Colorado and Califor
MIA the outlook is very promisine
showing numbers of colonies com
pared with recent years OF lis, lis and
81. and compared with last year OF 1l2
l2o and SO per cent, respectively; colo.
ny conditions compared with norma
OF 115, 107 and 12o. as compared with
last year, or 100, 107 and IT'S per cent
respectively
The nuglber OF colonies In the white
aaorer bgit Of the North central statss