The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-16


PREPARED by the United States Depart
ment of Agricultural
The level of prices paid producers of
the United States for the principal
crops increased about 1.3 per cent dur
ing April; in the past six years the
price level has increased during April
80 per cent; thus, the increase this
year is less than usual.
Since December 1, the index figure
of crop prices has advanced "a per
cent; during the same period a year
ago the advance was So 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 IS per cent low
er than two years ago and 1.3 per cent
six years on May 1.
The level Of prices paid to producers
of the United States for meat animals
increased GA per cent during the
month from March Is to April .-15,
which compares with an increase OF
81 per cent in the same period year
ago, an increase of 10.7 per cent two
years ago, a decrease of Al per cent
three years ago, and an increase Of 4.8
per cent four years ago.
From December Is to April Is the
advance in prices for meat animals
has been per cent; whereas during
the same period a year ago the ad-
vance was 14.5 per cent, and two years
ago 17.3 per cent, while three years
ago there was decline in price of Sc
per cent during this period.
On April Is the average (weighted
price of meat animals-hogs, cattle,
sheep and chickens-was $40 per 100
| pounds, which is or per cent higher
than the prevailing price year ago,
IT'S 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.
Number Of Honey Bees In the Country.
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 2 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 a majority Of the
other states named was due to a Sc.
vece epidemic of foul-brood disease
tLe~eases are particularly marked in
no WI troJ -fo;v
and Pacific coast states, except as al.
ready noted.
The condition of the colonies is re
ported to be about SO per cent of a
normal taking the United States as g
whole. The condition is about pei
cent above normal, however, in the
Rocky mountain and Pacific coas1
states. The condition of colonies com
pared with last spring is about 4 pei
cent better, being reported as inferior
only in Maine, Massachusetts, Connect
icut, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Ken
lucky and Mississippi. 1t is generally
better than last spring in the Nortl
central states and very much better il
the Rocky mountain and Pacific coas
states.
The condition of nectar-bearin,
plants averages about 80 per cent o
a normal for the United States as
whole, ranging in the neighborhood o
IS in all the country east of the Rock
les, excepting Texas, where it is lie
and about 105 per cent in the Rock,
mountain and Pacific coast states, be
1 ing highest, 120 per cent, in Califo1
mia. Compared with last year the cor
dition of nectar-bearing plants aver
ages per cent higher for the Unite
States, being generally slightly belo1
J.. last year east of the Rockies, except il
. Texas, where it is SO per cent better
and decidedly better In the Rock
mountain and Pacific coast states
reaching the very high figure of II
per cent compared with last year i
California, where moisture condition
in the white sage country presage
i. bountifu1 nectar flow.
? In the important honey-produv1n
= states Of Texas, Colorado and Califo
J. MIA the outlook is very promisin,
, showing numbers of colonies con
\ pared with recent years Of lis, lis an
r IS, and compared with last year of II.
d 100 and SO per cent, res pectively; col,
n ny conditions compared with norma
J. of lis, lot and 100, as compared wit
q last year, or $50, LOT and IT'S per cen
a respectively.
n The number of colonies in the whit
clover belt of the North central state
= is at least 5 per cent above the nun
!. Der last year, and, taken as a Who'll
!. the condition Of the colonies is ecu;
. to that Of last year: but the conditio