The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-28
ENORMOUS GAINS
 SHOWN IN TEXAS
Figures on Various Crops Show Strides Being Made in Farm and
 Crop Development

Austin, Tex, January 27.-(Special to tho Manufac cturers' Record. )-Perhaps the most significant feature of the crop estimate just issued by the bureau of crop estimates of the United States de- partment of agriculture for Texas is that it gives the value of the peanut crop of the statedn 1917 ansS6, 12s.OOo It shows that the acreage of peanuts increased from 275,O0c acres in 1916 to 500, 600 acres
 In 1917 In this connection 1t is inter- esting to note that every indication points to at least 1,5000O0 acres being planted in peanuts this year in this state.
 The sweet potato has also become crop of primary importance in Texas, due largely to the general adoption of curing plants. by which means the po- tatoes are placed in condition that en- ables them to be kept for an indefinite time The value of last seasons sweet potato crop in Texas was S9, 173,000, as compared with $6,40S, 900 for the previous year. The Irish potato crop in 1917 had total value of $5, 796,000 as compared with $3SGG,000 in 1916. Nearly $12,000,000 worth of wild and tame hay was pro- duced in the state last year. Broomcorn, 
 in large returns, as is shown by the official estimate.
 It is interesting to note that accord- ing to the bureaus figures, the most profitable crop for the acreage grown last SC ason was tobacco. which had a value of $34S per acre. Next to it came Irish potatoes, with an average value of S126 per acre. The value of sweet po- tatoes was $1O9 per acre. The peanut crop hol o1ttA <1Fq o.,.o Cotton, exclusive of the seed, $36 per acre;5 rice, e45$p arcr 6. M. g1a$126shrdlu acre; rice, S54 per acre; wheat, $2520 per acre; oats $21.32 per acre; barley, $2740 per acre; rye, s19.60 per acre; broomcorn, $45.5S per acre; kaffir corn, $22.40 per aero.
 The largest income from any single crop was s415,85200O for approximately 3,115,0OO bales of cotton. Although there was a falling off of about 600,000 bales in the states yield as compared with a value of nearly $75,O0o,000 more than the previous one. The value of the 1917 corn crop was s129, ,96S, 600. as compared with s134, ,3S8, 900 for the previous year. The corn yield last season was only a little more than one-half what it was In 1916. Tho total value of the wheat yield in 1917 was s34,o200oO, the production be- lUB DuSHelS. AllHOuSn the oats crop was unusually poor last season, the total value of this grain produced was $30, ,3S1, ,000 and the number of bushels was 37, ,050000. The rice crop had a total value last season of SIP 420,000 Notwithstanding the fact that the kaffir corn producing area of the state was in the heart of the drouth stricken territory, the production of this grain in 1917 had a total value of $2S, 900, which was less than s1,000,000 below what 1t was the previous year.
 An analysis of the figures show con- clusively the potentiality of Texas even in the time of the most distressing drouth known to the state for more than 30 years. Of course, the production of rice and certain other crops can be ac- counted for by the fact that irrigation was practiced. More land is now pre- pared and in condition for spring plant ing than ever before known in the state. Up to this time the drouth continues, but if rair ill sufficient quantity comes in the next few weeks, prospects for large production next year of various stand ard crops will be greatly enhanced.