Evening journal., 1914-07-22
BUSINESS BAD. BUT
CROPS ARE Plentiful
National Chamber OF Com
merce so Reports in July
Bulletin
MODERN METHODS
SAVE CORN YIELD


SAVE CORN YIELD
Agricultural conditions throughout
the country as a whole show a start
ling contrast to conditions in trans
portation, manufacturing industries
and mining, according to a report
upon fundamental conditions sent by
the Chamber Of Commerce of the
United States to all of its members.
This report, prepared by the Cham
hers committee on statistics from
data gathered independently through
out the country as of July 3, dis
cusses fundamental conditions and
not the immediate state of business.
Manufacturing is exceedingly quiet
! throughout the country. Mining,
nearly all kinds, suffers from strikes
and lack of demand. Lumber inter-
ests are feeling the dearth of build
( ing, especially in small towns and in
/ the country The railroads, because
4 of decreasing revenues and increas-
/ ing expenses, have cut down their
working forces as far as possible, and
laid off many trains, in the interest
Of economy. These conditions have
naturally bred much apprehension,
/ conservatism and pessimism in dis
tricts where these industries are the
principal sources of revenue to the
inhabitants. This is particularly true
In the Middle and New England
States and in some of the large
manufacturing centers of the West
and South
Against these unfayorable condi-
tions, the situation of agriculture is
most encouraging, despite drought
conditions that have prevailed more
or less extensively in the spring and
summer in widespread sections. Wide
ly extended rains. however, in the lat
ter part Of June and early in July
have put a new phase upon affairs.
The winter wheat crop will unques-
tionably be a record breaker, and will
probably be not less than 65000O,000
bushels against a yield last year of
523 100000 bushels, which in itself
was the largest up to date. The prom
Use of the spring wheat crop is for
more than an average yield. Oats,
while severely hurt in many sections,
will make a normal yield. The barley
crop will probably be the largest ever
raised Irish potatoes, one of the
most valuable of the minor crops, will
make about normal production.
Corn, the most valuable of all crops,
has shown a great Improvement dur
ing the last two weeks because of
needed rains. There is q slight de-
crease In acreage-not over 1-2 per
cent less than last year-but the out
look at present is for a crop above
the average it all depends upon the
weather during the remainder of July
The acreage of cotton is about ! 2
per cent less than last wear. but condi-
tions have shown great Improvement
during the past 30 days. Owing 20 the
length Of time and the numerous vicis-
situdes of weather between now and the
harvesting Of the cotton crop any esti
mate as to its final production Is merely
guess work. The tobacco crop will prob
ably be one Of the smallest in years,
owing to a most unfavorable season.
The fruit crop promises to be more than
normal above the average Of five years.
Among the many cheering signs IN the
agricultural situation is that of steadily
increasing intelligent farming. There Is
a growing cultivation of alfalfa in ali
sections of the Union. since ii is recog-
ni1ed as an almost certain crop, a most
profitable one. and OF vast utility in fbe
raising OF live stock and poultry. Ii
thrives under conditions OF drought
which destroy the average agricultural
product To an almost like extent this
is true Of the sorghum grains, -Kaiir
corn. milo maize and feterita--importa
tions from the arid regions OF Africa.
They haze their home and most exten-
sive cultivation in the western districts
OF Kansas aud Oklahoma, but their cu
tivation is steadily going eastward be
cause OF their dependability in times Of
lack Of rain They are most excellent
food for both man and beast. and a com
parativelv sure dependence in times OF
drought when Indian corn fails to ina
ture.
There is also a fast growing APP
probation of modern agricultural
methods, those of intensive cultiva-
ton and of ,dry farming which for
years have been so industriously
taught by the Federal Department of
Agriculture. the State Agricultural
Bureaus, and the State Universities.
It is the widespread use Of these
methods that has practically saved
the corn and cotton crops in the
West and South during the two
months of drought just past. In the
State of Missouri. for example, there
was little or no rain from the early
part Of May until the latter part OF
June, yet the corn withstood this lack
Of moisture and unusually high tenn
perature with scant injury, because
OF the use OF dry farming methods
on the part Of the farmer. Fifteen
years ago under similar climatic con
ditions the yield of the corn crop
would practically have been cut in
half.
1t is rather remarkable that in
most sections, even in manufacturing
sections where business conditions
are at their worst, there is much
optimism of the immediate future.
and a general feeling that with nor
NAL crops there will 5e very great
Improvement in all business matters
during the remainder of this year.
DISMISS BROTHERS QUARREL.
Accused of assault and battery on