The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-05-02
THIS DISTRICT
IN GOOD SHAPE
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Continued from Page One)
is also a well defined indication that
the increased costs are beginning to
shut off the demand for such merchan-
disc as may be termed luxurious rath-
er than necessities. This applies to
practically all lines except provisions.
The prices Of all steel products have
gone up very rapidly in the past few
months. Some manufacturers have
been hampered by inability to obtain
raw materials and others have been
hampered by strikes and other labor
troubles. One or two cases have been
reported where manufacturers have
made large profits through reselling
their contracts for raw material to
others not equally well supplied.
Climatic conditions during the later
part of March and the first half of
April, have been more favorable than
they were the early months Of the
year. Generally speaking, the rainfall
was deficient throughout January and
February and the ground needed mois-
ture. Precipitation in the Southern
portions Of the district was largely
above the normal in March, and in fact
the continued rainfall has hampered
agricultural operations. The precipi-
tation in the Northern half Of the dis
trict was approximately normal dur
ing the later part of March and some
what above the normal during the
first half of this month. It is believed
that this has improved the crop pros
poets.
The Government report on the
wheat crop issued April 9TH, showed
that the April list condition In all of
the States in this district, was mater
tally below the average. The outlook
for the winter wheat crop is not
bright. The crop in Missouri was
was badly damaged, but the condition
is believed to. be improving slowly
but steadily, particularly in the dis
trict from Marion to Franklin County.
The condition Of the wheat in Dade
and Lawrence Counties, Missouri, is
reported to be very poor.
Reports on the new cotton crop, in
dictate that the season is two or three
weeks late. The cold and rainy wealth
er in the belt has delayed planting
and the cultivation of the ground, so
that conditions are not entirely fav-
orable. There is a strong. agitation
for an increase In the production Of
food stuffs and the reports indicate
that this will limit the acreage in
spite of the tempting price Of cotton.
There is a scarcity Of grain in the cot
ton belt and provisions of every kind
kind are climbing higher. The old
crop movement from Memphis is still
delayed, principally on account Of car
shortage. The stock on hand on April
14th, 1917, amounted to $4,000 bales
as against $4,000 on the same data
in 1916 and 10000 In 1915,
1t Is reported that considerable
ground has been prepared for the corn
planting and some planting has al
ready been done in the Southern Sec
tions Of the district. Frequent rains
the early part Of April have retarded
farm work. Flowing and planting
have also been hampered by the scar
city and high cost of seed and the lack
of sufficient labor. The oats appears
to have been planted under favorable
conditions. The potato acreage il
larger than usual and would be still
larger, were it not for the almost pro
hibitive cost of seed.
The outlook for the fruit crops, ex'
cept peaches, is fair. The strawberr,
crop is beginning to bloom in tn
Southern portions Of the district bu
indications are that the crop is mater
tally smaller than last year. In st
Louis and other large cities, provisions
are generally high and in some case
scarce. The movement Of fresh pro
visions, cabbage, tomatoes, asparagus
celery, strawberries, onions, cts, is la
ter than usual. The onion movement
from the Texas district began a fe,
days ago and is now in fair volum
and some relief is anticipated. Til
stock Of canned goods in the hands {
commission merchants and wholesal
grocers is reported to be extremel
low due in part to a shortage in tn
yield last year and in part to the sma'
carry over from the previous ssasol
Prices In many instances have fhcrea'
cd in the past few months forty t
eighty per cent. Sugar is reported I
be equally scarce and the jobbin
price Of this staple has increased frol
seven to ten cents in the last fe'
months. Little relief in the canine
goods situation can be looked for unit
the new crop comes along In Septen
Der and October.
The St Louis National Stock Yarl
reports q slight decrease in the ~
ceipts Of cattle, sheep, and horses ar
mules in March for 1917, as compare
to March, 1915, and an increase
hogs during this same period. II
price Of hogs has gone up from mon'
to month in this district, on April Iii
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