The Coconino sun., 1920-05-14
ARIZONA CROP
 REPORT FOR MAY

Despite the late season, general crop conditions in Arizona May 1 were very encouraging, according to the federal crop report just issued by
 l.. M. Harrison, Arizona field agent for the U. s. bureau of crop esti-
 mates. Arizona farmers report that , spring blowing was S5 per cent com pleted by May 1, while the amount of
 spring planting done by May was 75
 per cent. Range pastures are report ed in excellent condition. Livestock came through the year with fewer
 losses than usual. Heavy reductions are reported in the wheat, hay and farm pasture acreage, while the cot ton acreage is reported more than twice that of last year.
 Wheat acreage for the state is esti- mated at 34,000, compared with 4O,- 900 acres last season. The condition of the crop on May was 94 per cent of normal, which compares with 95 per cent last year on May 1; and 80 per cent, the 1918 May condition. Mar icopa county reports condition of 9I per cent; Graham, 95; Pinal, 97; Gila. 90; and Pima, 98. For the United States as a whole, the present pros pect is for very small crop of win ter wheat. Based on condition of 79.1 on May 1, the forecast is for. a crop of ASA million bushels. This is 248 million bushels less than was pro- duced last season.
 Cotton prospects on May 1 were not very encouraging, due to the late sea- son. While much replanting has been necessary, the crop shows about an so per cent stand with the condition rap idly improving as result of more fa- vorable weather. A preliminary es 'timate places the acreage of the American Egyptian variety at 21O.OO0 acres, which compares with 97,OO0 acres one year ago; 72,00O acres two years ago; and 33,00O acres three years ago. Maricopa county reports 1S5,0O0 acres; Yuma. 130OO acres; Pinal, 10000, and Pima, 5000 The state acreage of short staple is esti- mated at 20,000
 The acreage of alfalfa and other tame hay shows marked decline, due to the preference for cotton. The acreage for the state is reported at llS,OOO as against 169,000 acres last year. The acreage to be used for pas ture is estimated at 35,0OO, compared with 85.000 acres in 1919. The heavi- est decline is reported from Mari copa county, which reports 10000 acres for hay and 15.000 acres for pas ture, decline of 49,000 acres in hay and 10000 acres in pasture. The present situation is proving unfavor- able to the dairy and other stock jn- terests in some sections of the state. For the United States, the acreage of tame hay is estimated at 99.7 per cent Of 1919. The condition is placed at SEA per cent of normal. compared with 94.3 last year, and 89.6 in 1918.
 The Arizona cantaloupe acreage is estimated at 2.500. which compares with 4.500 in 1919. 2,3O0 in 1918, and 1000 in 1917. The commercial crop is confined largely to Maficopa and PinaI counties.
 Pasture conditions May were 96 per cent normal. This compares with 92 last year, 81 in 1918, and S8, the 10-year average condition May 1. For .t - the United States, pasture conditions May 1 were 79.S. compared with 9O.3 last year and S4.5, the 10-year aver age.
 Due to the excellent condition of the winter ranges, and favorable weather conditions. stock generally came through the year in better condition and with fewer losses than usual. Cat tie losses for the state are reported at 3.5 per cent from disease and ex- posture, compared with 5.6 per cent. the 10-vear average Sheep show loss of 2.5 per cent from disease and 2.S per cent from exposure, as against 2.8 per cent from disease and AZ per cent from exposure, the TO- year average mortality. The number of lambs that died from disease and exposure is estimated at 5 per cent, compared with S.2 per cent, the B.