Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-10
MONTHLYREPORT OF CROPS 81.
AND BUSINESS in NINTH
FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICT

show an increase In spring, wheat
planting of 20 per cent. Rye. oar-
ley n oats will be normal crops.
Flax will fall short Of an average
year. Taking the eastern half OF
state as "a whole, the increase IN
wheat will be at least 8 per
cent and possibly 10 per cent. b
outlook. in the eastern half OF N
state is excellent. Timely rains have
put the v crop in first class condi-
ton. The seeding of oats has been
practically completed n barley
Small grain throughout. the east
ern half Of South Dakota is virtually
all under ground, and was sown un-
der very favorable conditions. Cen,
eral rains came just in time to bene-
fit the seed and have put the ground
in excellent shape for corn planting.
Crop conditions everywhere are ex-
tremely favorable. -.
The acreage OF small. grains will
probably not be much increased over
| previous years. The corn growing
J. section of the state will experiences
some reduction in acreage. but n
difference will he offset by wheat.
A reliable authority reporting from
Aberdeen estimates the increase in
the wheat acreage at per cent, the
increase in rye at 1S per cent. h de-
crease of barley 5 per cent and oats
" I'd.
10 per cent.
In North and South Dakota. and
over a considerable part of Minnesota
the new wheat crop is beginning to
appear above ground. and presents
a very favorable appearance.
The Minnesota side of the Red
River Valley will show about 10 per
cent increase in wheat. with excellent
moisture conditions. There has been
q large PLANTING of other crops. In
the Fergus Falls district. the wheat
acreage has increased approximately
rs per cent. and in other parts OF the
! west central section. there are like
wise reports of a substantial increase
in wheat planting. Southern Mime
sofa is taking up whea as a war
crop, and the planting of small grains
over the state as a whole is at least
90 per cent completed.
Wisconsin has followed the same
course. and the reports from every
portion of that state indicate an ex-
ccllent outlook with good moisture
conditions and promise Of large pro-
duction. i
That business is going to continue
good during wartime is now general
~ conceded by most of those in the
merchandising business. At the same
time the character of retail trade has
shown some change and some rather
Unusual fluctuations. There is more
evidence Of the disposition to curtaia
purchases on the part of the ~so-called
well-to-do than among h classes
OF, buyers. but as a general rule such
curtailment as has occurred in the
| purchase Of %sluxuries and the more
expensive goods. has heen onset by
the appearance Of new buyers. and
it is very evident that there is a sub
lstantial element that while enjoying
an. improved income is likewise enjoy
ing the opportunity of purchasing
more freely than before. In the larg-
err centers. the volume Of retail sales
is holding up we'll as compared with
an average year. and trade Is good AT
country points. although collections
have been in some instances rather
slow.
Trade Handicapped,
Retail trade everywhere is handi-
capped by the difficulty in obtaining
a selection OF goods n materials
and shipments from mills and eastern
markets have been considerably. de.
layed. Some classes of goods show q
marked shortage. which has added
to the difficulty of. maintaining stocks
Interest rates have changed very
Little during the past 30'days. Money
at the larger centers is firm at 6 pei
cent on commercial loans. The de-
mand is good and financial conditions
are normal except as to burdens Gre
ated by the war loan n the financ:
!, ing of impending payments. Banks
over the district are in sound con.
!, dition and we'll able to meet any EN-.
/, ergencies that may arise.
t a shrewd financial observer epito.
!, mics the situation in his statement
that banking conditions are SOUND
, and the situation is entirely favorable
excepting that banks n bankers ev'
erywhere are having to adapt them
selves to war conditions and arr
v meeting a host Of small problems tina
do not arise in the ordinary conduc
2 of business"
\ L. The wise and natural conservatism
e that might be expected in war TIM
: is being shown by those interested
in construction and new projects. A
: the same time necessary structure
y are being built Us they are demand
ed and facilities actually needed TO
n the conduct Of business are not be
= ing deferred. 1t is probable that tn
e year will show an appreciate reduc
ton in the volume and cost Of publ
improvements Of every sort. whic'
q slowing down process is being en-
e %couraged- by, the capital issues com
e n,ittee and its subcommittee for tn
Ninth district. The view of the lat
ter committee is that improvement
n not actually necessary in order I
l. prevent a.menace to public health o
welfare should be avoided for tn
h present in order to conserve fund'
labor and material for the assistant
h Of the government.
has expressed the view that roa
N building programs should be reduce.
and that, only the projects that are Z
4 military assistance should be favorel
n Many questions have arisen with re!
a. erence to school construction. upo
which the committee, has taken I'll
position that where school facilitil
are sufficient to handle the demand
~ of the school population. eve at tx
expense of some Inconvenience. tn;
they should not be extended at tn
IN time. ~