The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-07-24

ment of AgricultureD
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
80 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 a year
ago the advance was $50 per cent, and
the average for the past six years has
been an advance of Ill per cent.
On May the index figure of crop
prices was about II per cent higher
than year ago, but 1873 per cent low
er than two years ago and 1.3 per cent
higher than the average of the past
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 15 to April Is,
which compares with an increase of
81 per cent in the same period year
ago, an increase of 1917 per cent two
years ago, decrease of At 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 year ago the ad-
vance was 14.5 per cent, and two years
ago 17.3 per cent, while three years
ago there was a 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 $7.40 per 100
pounds, which is OF per cent higher
than the prevailing price a 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.
| The number of colonies of bees In
the United States this year appears tc
be about four per cent above the mum
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 IL
California and in a majority of the
other states named was due to Sc
we're epidemic of foul-brood disease
Increases are particularly marked il
the North Central, Rocky mountain
and Pacific coast states, except as al
ready noted.
The condition Of the colonies is re
ported to be about 9S per cent of
normal, taking the United States as
whole. The condition is about pc
cent above normal, however, in tn
Rocky mountain and Pacific coas
states. The condition of colonies CON
pared with last spring is about pc
sent better, being reported as inferio
only in Maine, Massachusetts,. Connect
icut, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, KeI
lucky and Mississippi 1t is general
better than last spring in the Mort
central states and very much better |
The Rocky mountain and Pacific coas
> states.
The condition of nectar-bearin
plants averages about SO per cent {
normal for the United States as
whole, ranging in the neighborhood {
95 in all the country east of the Rocl
les, excepting Texas, where it is IL
and about los per cent in the Rock
/, | mountain and Pacific coast states, b
ing highest, 120 per cent in Califo
MIA. Compared with last year the co
dition of nectar-bearing plants ave
ages 8 per cent higher for the Unite
States, being generally slightly belo
last year east of the Rockies, except
Texas, where it is so per cent bette
and decidedly better in the Rocl
mountain and Pacific coast state
!, reaching the very high figure of /
: per cent compared with last year
California, where moisture condition
in the white sage country presage
, bountiful nectar flow.
In the important honey-producil
states of Texas, Colorado and Califc
4 MIA the outlook is very promisin
showing numbers of colonies CO..
: pared with recent years of lis. lis al
v SIS. and compared with last year of l.
, 100 and SO per cent, respectively; co
a ny conditions compared with norm
!. of lis, 107 and 100. as compared wi
a last year, or $50, 107 and It's per Gel
respectively.
The number OF colonies In the VIII
| clover belt of the North central stat