The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1920-04-15
TEXAS WHEAT CROP rs
PER CENT OF NORMAL

Houston, April i2.-The condition
OF Texas winter wheat Is estimated
at as per cent of normal. This low
condition has been caused by many
adverse conditions which affected the
crop since planting time. A rainy
fall and winter made proper prep
aration and planting a problem, es-
pecially in the black land belt, dry
ing weather and high winds have in
jured a part Of the crop in the plains
section, late cold weather has re-
tarded growth and since a consider
able portion Of the crop has been
planted late its proper development
and maturity is contingent upon fav-
orable weather conditions very late
in the spring.
Some damage by green bug is re-
ported from Gillespie, Kerr, Collin.
Grayson and few other counties
surrounding these. The most exten-
siye damage, as reported. IS from
the two former counties.
Throughout the entire Panhandle
il appears that the plant is well
rooted and that no considerable dam
age has been done by blowing Of
the soil. Rains which fell generally
over the state between the gath and
25th Of March were beneficial as sur
face moisture was needed to connect
the surface soil with the subsoil,
which is now well supplied with mois-
ture and establish capillarity. Unfor-
tunately however, the high winds
and cool weather which accompanied
and followed these rains dissipated,
largely, this moisture which was for
the whole insufficient. Last year at
this date the condition Of winter
wheat was l0l per cent and the ten
year average 81 per cent Of normal
Rye
The condition Of rye is n per cent
Of normal. This crop has been af-
fected by many Of the conditions re-
ported for winter wheat. The con-
dition on this date last year was 95
per cent Of normal and the ten year
average is n per cent of normal.
Breeding Sows
The number Of breeding sows has
increased 3 per cent as compared TO
this date a year ago Il should be
remembered, however, that there is
still a marked decrease as compared
to 1917 The great breeding sec
tion Of the South Plains Of the Pan
handle was almost stripped Of breed
ing stock during l917-l8. At the
beginning Of 1917, the number of
breeding sows IN the state was 3l3,-
600. whereas at present there are
but 290,46O.
Farm Labor Supply
The present farm labor supply is
80 per cent as compared to the sup
ply at this date last year and II per
cent Of the normal. Until the re-
strietions we're lifted. and Mexican
labor permitted TO enter the state,
there was alarming scarcity which
did not give a favorable outlook 10
the acreage prospect for the COM
ing year. At present, however, this
situation is much improved, thou
sands Of Mexican iaborers have come
into San Antonio and border points.
The south district of the state is now
well supplied and the surplus is
spreading to the north and east.
High wages. paid by public work,
and oil industries, have attracted
some labor which would otherwise
seek the farms but il is felt that the
surplus now coming in will offset
this condition by affording labor for
the farms. The section which seems
to be most seriously affected by la
bor scarcity just now is East Tex
as
The fact that the spring has been
helped TO lessen the seriousness OF
the latter shortage for much of the
work which would have been done
earlier was delayed a month or more
by unfavorable weather conditions.
This will result in a shift to the late
planted spring crops in order TO help
oil the acreage untitled by winter
and early spring grains and in this
work the present improved labor sup
ply will be very helpful.
Farm Labor Demands
Farm labor demands are normal
and the same as last year at this
date. This must not. however, be
constructed to mean that the acreage
crop prospect for all crops as a.
whole, is equal to last year. for il
is not. II indicates rather that every
farm oqeration is much DELAYED and
time presses; enough so as to bring
demands to normal.
There is a noticeable disposition
70 limit farm operations, in many
instances, to the available man power
rather than pay the very high pre-
vailing price for farm labor and ac-
cept with il the uncertainty in price
on the selling end.
United States
For the United States, in the same
manner as for the state. the follow
ing figures are obtained; Wheat con-
dition, 1876; rye condition, s6.S;
Of breeding sows. 90.1; farm
labor supply. 81 3-724; farm labor
demand, 99.7-i53.