The Delta independent., 1917-02-16
NEWS NOTES OF INTEREST
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Preliminary reports received by the
State Board of immigration from all
sections of the state indicate that the
acreage cultivated in Colorado in 1917
will be at least 10 per cent greater
than has ever before been cultivated
for any year. The largest increase
will be in smail grains. beans and
sugar beets.
Preliminary estimates made by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture indicate that the acreage of
winter wheat is 8 per cent greater
than that OF last year. or about 420,-
600 acres. Reports from the same
source indicate that there was de-
crease of about per cent in the acre
age of rye sown last fall, as compared
with the fall of 1915.
The area spring wheat harvested in
1916. according to the final estimates
of the Department OF Agriculture.
was 100000 acres. an increase Of 90
600 acres over the preceding year
Indications are that If the spring sea
son is favorable for planting. no less
than 275.0O0 acres will be put in this
year, which will be the largest acre
age OF spring wheat ever cultivated
in the state. Plans are being made
for putting in larger crop of pinto
beans than was raised last year The
crop for 1916 has been estimated by
the Department of Agriculture at 3s.-
900 acres. Indications are that not
less than $4,000 acres will be put I'm
this year. The final reports of sugar
companies show about 175.O00 acres
of sugar beets were harvested in 1916.
The acreage in 1917 under favorable
conditions will be in excess OF 20O. 900
acres.
Within the past year considerably
more than 100000 acres OF govern
ment land has been filed on and a
considerable amount of this will be
put in cultivation this year. In addi-
ton. large amount of privately
owned land that has previously been
used for pasture purposes will be
broken for the first time this year
and put in small grain and forage
crops. There will also be a large in
crease In the acreage of potatoes in
all the standard potato growing sec
tions OF the state as well as in the
non-irrigated districts where potatoes
are not so extensively cultivaed.
The abnormally high prices prevail
ing for all agricultural products have
been the controlling factor in Undue
ing farmers to put the maximum acre
age in cultivation this year There
has also been heavy immigration to
the state In the past twelve months
and 1t is fair to assume that fully
Two IHOuSdUu more FARMERS VIII be
cultivating crops in Colorado this year
than last
Weather conditions in all parts OF
the state have been reasonably favor
able for winter wheat and the condi-
ton OF the crop Is good. Snowfall
has been fairly heavy on all the water
sheds and there is every reason to be
lieve that the supply OF water for irri.
cation will be at least normal Farm
ers in the nonirrigated districts re-
port that the soil is in excellent CON
dition for working as soon as the
frost leaves, there being plenty OF
moisture to insure prompt germna-
tion Of seeds With exceptionally high
prices still prevailing for agricultural
products and favorable winter condi-
tions. Colorado's agricultural outlook
| for 1917 is especially bright and there
is every reason to believe that the
crop will equal or exceed in value the
record agricultural income OF 1916
State OF Ohio, city of Toledo.
| Lucas County. ""'
ALL ms N ha Ia