The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1917-06-06

reage in early maturing varieties. The
high cost Of provisions and the scar
city of labor, will undoubtedly increase
the cost of production Of the 1917
crop and this may be a factor in the
! acreage planted, although present pri-
ces are very tempting to planters. Re-
ports On business in general in the cot
ton belt are satisfactory, one CORE
spondent writing as follows: "We are
"'ad to rerort that our farmers are
planting a good part of their land in
grain and Notwithstanding the abnor-
NAL conditions which confronts us, we
feel safe in giving liberal credit to
our customers, as we have done in
former years" The stock of cotton
on hand in Memphis on May 18th is
still unusually large for this time of
the year.. The stock on this date
amounts to 297 thousand bales as
compared to 1876 thousand on the same
date in 1916; 12O thousand in 1915,
and 6 thousand in 1914.
The May 1st condition of rye as re-
ported in the government crop report
of May 9Th, is satisfactory. The ac-
reage planted this year in the states
within this district is generally larger
than hat harvested in 1916; the per-
centage of condition is fairly salts
factory, showing an improvement as
compared to April LIST.
Spring blowing and spring planting
is well advanced, the percentage for
the states within this district being
generally above the ten year average.
Reports indicate that the corn crop
is developing in a satisfactory manner.
South of the Missouri River consider
able corr is up and in some sections
The cold wet weather which was pre-
valent up to a few days ago, has re-
tarded the growth. Some counties re-
port that corn had rotted in the
ground and replanting was necessary.
In an effort to increase the produc-
ton of food stuff, the growing of al
falfa on cut over stump land in Arkan-
sas is being introduced with consid-
cradle success.
A large acreage of potatoes has
been planted and the crop is coming
up we'll.
Truck gardens are not so far adj
vanced as is usual at this time of the
year. With ~seasonable weather from
on they should develop rapidly.
The movement of the strawberry crop
is now in full swing. Shipments from
the Arkansas District are very large
and shipments from Tennessee, Ken
lucky and the Southern sections of /
Missouri are now beginning to appear
in volume.
Lettuce, cabbage, onions and other
farm products are being shipped
from the Southern portion of the dis
trict. The outlook for the small fruit
crops is generally good, the apple out
look being bright.
The st. Louis National Stock Yards
reports an increase in the receipts of
and hogs for the month of April
and a decrease in the receipts of sheep
and horses and mules. For the first
lime in several months the price of
1ogs has not shown a material in.
Building permits in Louisville, Lit
lie Rock and Memphis show a decrease
the month of April as compared
% April, 1916, while St. Louis shows
IN increase for the same month. The
nigh cost of building material is hav-
ng a deterrent effect on building &C.
;ivity and that in turn has affected
he business of those supplying build
ng materials.
Postal receipts in the four large
titles of the district confirm the gen
raj slackening up of business, Little '
Rock, Louisville and St. Louis showing
decrease as compared to a year ago I
md Memphis showing a slight in
rease. Is
Compilations of gross and net rail !
DAD earnings which are now avail ]
BILE again show the discrepancy be-
ween the increase of gross and net $
arnings. The increased cost of ma 1
erial and labor is affecting the net I
arnings of many of the( railroads. 9
in this district have joined {
, the National movement to conserved Q
heir resources and equipment for gov- q
rnment purposes. Rules and regula- t
ions with that object in view are now
eng put into effect. '
The bond market is very quiet. In l
estors as we'll as bankers have prac- h
cally withdrawn from the market. e
ond houses in the district have Offer II
their services to the government q
nd the efforts of these organizations Z
being expended on the Liberty o
oan. Commercial paper rates have n
1vanced again. Best names are now Y
1oted at five per cent. and other
ames 5 ID to 5 LIZ, as compared tot q
IL to 4 Sd a month ago. There is n
fair supply of paper on the markell |
I'd in fact the supply seems to ex- q
ed the demand. Although a LARGE "