Arizona republican., 1920-02-09

Approximately 1S5 carloads of let tuce will be shipped from the Salt River valley this winter as compared to last year, according to a report prepared by the Phoenix chamber of Prices are much higher this year than last All the lettuce shipped goes to the eastern markets. Last week lettuce sold retail in New York stores at 90 to 50 cents a head.
 The shipping from the valley will reach it's height February 15 and the last car will go out about March l.. Enormous returns will come from the lettuce harvested and shipped, record for the industry here-
 But it is not the purpose of this organization to mislead,' says the re- port. Therefore it sis necessary to state facts about the crop with sug- gestions for better crops in the future. There were l 100 acres planted to let tuce in the Salt River valley this sea- son. Part of the seed did not come up. Some of this acreage was replanted. Some of the acreage was flooded and some of the lettuce destroyed by cot ton worms. It is stated authentically that one fourth of the crop was de- stroyed by these worms"
 Lettuce Expert Stillwell of the de- partment of agriculture recently re- ported on the crop. He stated there would be 125 productive acres. yield ing 75 carloads in the Mesa district; 225 acres, yielding 100 carloads, in the Glendale district, and a small acreage in the Phoenix district which would yield enough for local consumption and about 10 carloads to ship. This is about one-th third of the acreage planted.
 Good lettuce ground, under favorable conditions, will produce a carload of lettuce to the acre. According to this years figures. or 175 carloads from $50 acres: outside the PhoeniS dis trict. only half a car to the acre is shown. All unfavorab4e conditions this year are reflected in this result, but the cotton worm was the strongest detrimental factor. Had there been a full crop, this year there would have been 1000 carloads, dropping off 100 acres for shrinkage and local con sumption. An estimate somewhat be- low that would be more conservative as a carload to the acre is not ap average yield but rather the maximum yield on average ground
 The several districts in the Salt River valley where lettuce has been grown for some years is ideal in cli- matic and other conditions for the crop. Proper protection against flood water appears to be the only need in this respect. Judgment and precau- ton will overcome the flood water
 
 exclusively The winter sun and crisp night air blend perfectly in producing the best lettuce that is placed upon the eastern markets, as records will show.
 The cotton worm. as it is generally called. can be eradicated by good grasshopper poison, as has been proven by progressive lettuce growers here. The best grasshopper, or cotton worm poison. thus far recommended con- sists of a mash of bran and molasses and paris green. The principal de- struction to lettuce by cotton worms occurred on acreage adjoining or near cotton fields.
 Talks with lettuce growers brought various expressions of opinion. The high price paid for lettuce has a charm for the grower and it would appear that the more difficulties he confronts the more determined he becomes. Some of the growers have become dis couraged, however. These will prob ably curtail their acreage next season or plant their ground entirely to other crops. But the discouraged growers are small in number and in view of this it is the consensus of opinion of those who are fostering the lettuce industry that the valley will continue to produce for all time lettuce in large acreage for shipment. The estima te for next season varies. 1000 acres be- ing an average
 F. C. McNabb, president of the Ari- zona Seed company, at the request of this organization. has prepared infor- growers and growers who have met with discoura cement. He writes:
 The first and most important things in lettuce growing are fertiliza ton and