The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-03
IMPLEMENTS Of
BETTER GRADE
IN BIG DEMAND
Farmers in Memphis Territory
viii Do Better Work Many
Small Purchases of Garden
Seed-MuIeS at TOpPriCeS.

A survey Of farming n gardening
prospects in this section for the season
ers, implement firms, mule sellers and
agricultural experts ELECTS q wide va
riety of opinion and information, much
Of which is contradictory. Summing 1t
all up, there seems to be no clear in
dication of much more than an average,
normal year, though the fact Is estab-
ished that the farmers of the South
are going to use more improved cult
waiting implements On their lands this
year than eve before. They are pur-
chasing unusual numbers Of the better
varieties Of plows, OF two-horse culti-
vators, corrugated pulverizers, disc har-
rows, sp~ike-tooth harrows; and In the
matter of heavy, costly tractor imple-
ments they are investing in surprising
numbers.
The advertising manager OF the
Southern branches Of one Of the largest
farming implement establishments in
the country, which specialiEes in trac-
usual demand for tractor implements
to indicate a decision on the part OF
the Southern farmers to plant less cot
ton this year n plant a larger acre
age to forage and food crops. In refu-
tation of this, however, Dr.. E. R.
Lloyd, director OF the Memphis Cham
Der of Commerce farm bureau, ex-
pressed the view that the shortage OF
farm labor is forcing the purchase OF
tractor plows, harrows and pulverizers.
Sales Break ALI Records.
Another implement dealer, whose
concern, by the way, does not handle
Is no present determination, as indi-
Gated by the implement trade, on the
part Of Southern planters to reduce
the acreage of cotton. He said that
his firm a had the best January
sales record in its history and that
the farmers Of the South are undoubt-
eddy more awake today than ever be-
fore to the value Of improved machln-
cry. but that the machinery which they
are now buying in such numbers Is
for the cultivation Of cotton and corn
almost exclusively. His expressions or
the outlook were very pesslmistic. ut
looks like the farmers are going to
stick tight to cotton" he said, land
If they do It will damage the country
severely. 1t will make collections
%tricts."
This mans concern sold few small
grain drills last fall, and for the past
tically no calls for these implements.
The implement man whose concern
specializes in tractor machinery was
exceedingly optimistic as to corn. "Corn
Is a good paying proposition" he said,
and It looks like the acreage Is going
to be largely increased this year" The
only bad feature he could see in the
farming prospects is that the farmers
are zehind in their blowing operations.
U. s. Mules No Factor.
The farmers are buying a number Of
small to medium mules at the govern
ment auction sales, but they are also
going into the market to purchase the
better grades of mules and are buying
more Of the higher quality mules than
common. In spite Of the extensive
government sales the market has re-
NAMED up and mules are said to be
at the top figure of the season, which
means higher than for any previous
season.
The demand for lespedeza seed at the
present day Is small, according to the
seed dealers. Farmers are deferred from
buying because OF the high price, the
seed being quoted at from $500 to $3.50
the bushel in five to 50-bushel lots.
The producers Of the seed are keeping
because they think they can get more
from the wholesaler. The opinion was
expressed, however, by one dealer that
down,
This opinion was confirmed by Dr..
Lloyd. THE farmers will not plant
much lespedeza at the present price"
said DR.. Lloyd, but l believe the price
will drop to a reasonable figure when
we get nearer to the planting season."
He expects the dealers and producers
to become alarmed at the lack OF de-
mlaho as the season nears, ending with
the stock full, which causes them to
cut the price.
7 h price Of lespedeza seed went to
$40 last year and DR.. Lloyd character
lied this as ridiculous"
Fair Demands for Oats.
Dealers record a fair demand for
spring oats. which is showing signs Of
growing better. Good recIeaned oats
for seed Is being quoted at $1.15 to
$l.25 and $1.25 to $1.35. This ia in
lots OF five to rs bushels, according