The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1917-10-04
SEPTEMBER FIRST REPORT
OF the Executive Committee Colorado
Bean Growers Association on Bean
Acreage and Probable Yields.


Bean Growers Association on Bean
Acreage and Probable Yields.
Thorugh the cooperation OF tho
county agents in county agent coun-
ties. through the local bean associa-
tions md through representatives OF
the Governors War Council and 9TH
ers estimates and actual surveys Of a
part OF the Colorado counties have
been obtained. These estimates show
that there were planted In Colorado
In 1917 at least 10000 acres Of beans.
Upon the basis OF the September list
condition, 1t can reasonably be expect
ed that at least 100000 ceres will
reach marketable maturity.
The yield will vary from around 300
pounds per acre in some OF the driest
sections to as high as an average OF
1900 pounds per acre in certain OF the
irrigated sections. After careful
es,lsyey OF dry land and irrigated con-
ditions. II is thought that at least 450
pounds per acre upon the average can
be expected on the entire Colorado
acreage. or . total yield for the state
OF 1000 600 pounds. which is approx
iu,a;eiy 500. 600 bushels.
Nhs association has received word
from the California Bean Growers
association. in which state there arc
about 200. 300 ocres OF beans which are
expected TO reach a marketable condi-
ton. with a possibility of about $780,
900 acres The California beans are
mostly limas. nsyies and pinks- The
California association has set 1oh.
cents as the economic valre OF their
crop. We have not yet been able TO
hear from III. Michigan association.
rs. they have not yet set the economic
value OF thsii crop. which is mostly
navies.
Bean contracts have been let In
some sections at 8 cents. In some sec
tions at cents: q few have been let
at 4 cents and = few st cents per
pound Dealers are now offering 5
and 6 cents per pound. which Ia prob
ably less than the true economic
value The executive committee will
Mot attempt 10 place an economic
value on the crop in this September
report. Leaving the fixing OF an eco
nomic vaiu, to .,s harvest report.
which will como out the latter part
OF September or early in October.
. Many beans were planted in Colo
RADIO. especially on the dry lands. upon
arst breaking sod. The spring In
most OF these localities was wet. The
sod was turned affer the wet spell.
A great deal OF this sod was not
rained on agnin until late In August
Most OF the reduction in acreage
from that originally planted was due
To the failure of the beans TO come up
under these conditions. The pinto
bean. which Ia largely grown for
market in Colorado. will endure
very great deal OF dry weather. but
Goes not develop pods or make growth
Turing dry weather. During the
summer season of 1917 there was
prolonged drouth during the latter
Part Of June. practically all OF July
and a part OF August. As a conse-
auence of these weather conditions
trnany pinto beans did not set pods un-
iii after the August rains. Some OF
these beans act pods too late for
them TO mature dry beaus for market.
Many questions are being asked as
10 the proper time TO harvest beans.
They should be harvested when the
bea nsecds are hard and plump. but
before the pods get completely dry.
Where tn epods do not ripen up uni
formiy on tho vines. cutting should be-
done to get the greatest proportion In
this condition. II allowed 10 get over.
ripe. heavy shattering will occur.
which causes a heavy loss OF beans.
II cut al the time indicated the beans
will rIpen and cure In the shock. thus
seaching a desirable market condi-
iton.
The question of harvesting machin-
cry In a serious one. Rerular bean
harvest.rs are best. but implement
dealers may not be able TO supply the
tlemand. A very good home made
harvester can be made much on the
plan of the old sled corn harvester.
with two pIankE ms runners and the
, knives fastened Mt the side. so IA TO
cut under the bean rows. The width
VI the rnners will have TO be gradu-
ated according 10 the. width Of the
\ bean rows. No definite directions az
1 10 width and act of knives can b.
4 given as n consequence. The knives
must be kept sharp and well slanted
no az to do clean job OF cutting. IL
is possible TO rake the beans after the
cutting with hay rake or 10 pile
!. them by hand with pitch forks
The sled which In made for the cut.
ter may be made OF two by skies
rounded at the front end in runners
and well braced crosswise. Tho
knives are fastened to the side Of the
runners so as to give a heavy slope
4f the knife backwards. Any back-
smith en- nmake the knives. A little
experimenting will be necessary to
! get them set properly for particular
pieces Of land. II the knives are bout