Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-09-02

Ct Louis, sept. l.. i'"oihSoo ooh ,:.ions in federal reserve district No. . o' chow little change during the past o,:u.,, days. The general activity .ni been well sustained during the h" ''1, summer months, while all re- r4s u"rt indicate. very favorable out pol for fall trade" says Chairman William McMartln. .
 "Although building construction a hoen restricted for the past few A'onths n'.n there is at upresent an act aonnond for lumber, due to heavy re- nnirements of the government m huildng the several cantonments for training the National army. Sup aIos M of lumber on hand are light, pnd p lack of transportation has ham @nroa further activiey. Sales of hard Wood are reported to be exceptionally mrhe dry goods business this sum- or has been up to the normal, al +hongh stocks in the hands of retail s,s in the small centers have been and s.;,, are. higher than the average. Or aorc for fall delivery have generally boon very satisfactory and largely in eycess of former years. Manufactur- ors of women's ready-to'Wear gar Wants report that their business has hoon somewhat curtailed by the rapid ;ncrase of prices. Shoe manufactur- orc throughout the district, and espe- oia1v in St. Louis, have shown in oreases in sales from month to month. Government contracts for army shoes l are factor in the market.
 Manufacturers and jobbers of hardware. woodenware, and paper all renort an active business, with the output in some cases hampered by the scarcity of raw material and de- lays due to car shortage. Last month renorted that the outlook for the crons was favorable, and reports from nrivate sources the last few days in- dicate that substantial progress has heen made General rains throughout the central portions of the district early in August materially helped the situation The combined condition of all crops for the states, wholly or in mart, within this district, as given by the government crop report of August 1, is in each case well above the average and shows gain in con dtion ranging from 8 per cent to IA per cent as compared with July 1 con dtion.
 .The wheat crop in this district has been harvested. The yield is above former expectations and correspond ents report an average weight of nrobably over sixty pounds to the bushel. Preliminary estimates issued by the department of agriculture On August 8 indicate a harvest for the states, wholly or in part, within this district largely in excess of the 1916 harvest, but below the five-year aver age. The oats crop has also been harvested and preliminary estimates indicate an, exceptional yield well above that of 1916 and the five-year Ayerage =, e
 "Reports on the corn crop continue to be satisfactory. A month ago 1 stated that general rains would seem to assure a bumper crop, and from present indications this forecast Will be fulfilled. The estimates from the August condition show an increase as compared to the estimates from the July condition and the harvest Should materially exceed both the fiveyear average and the 1916 yield.
 Recent rains put the ground in ex' cellent condition for cultivation, and ploughing for winter wheat is well under way. There is already an agi' atiOn for an increase in the winter wheat acreage.
 "The government report on the cot
 ton crop as of July 25 shows an i'm pavement in condition for all the states in this district as compared tc the condition on July % and the i'm pavement shown is borne out by re ports from private sources. The weather during the last ten days has been favorable, and it is not now ex pected that the season will be as latt was anticipated month or two
 go. In general there is little report
 insect damage and even in Missis
 ippi the boil weevil damage to thi'
 late has not been as serious as wal
 cared. The condition of the crop il
 ArKansas is reported to be eXcellen
 nd the lateness of the season, pal
 cularly in the eastern part of th'
 tate IS being rapidly overcome. Tn lrst bale of Arkansas cotton wal
 old at Pine Bluff on August 15. The outlook for the tobacco crol Kentucky seems to be excellent pur correspondents report a larg creage, with every prospject of
 umper crop.
 .Pastures have revived under tn 7 AAuence of recent rains and cattl sn na young stock are reported to be il
 plendid condition. The apple pros 10 ss ects continue to be good. The peacl