Arizona republican., 1920-05-10
GENERAL CROP PROMOTIONS IN
 AR|z.FAvORAbLE
Federal Report Points Out Increase in Cotton Acre age and Reduction in Other Crops Planted

Despite the late season, general crop
 conditions in Arizona May 1 were very
 sncouraging, according to the federal
 erop report just issued by L. NJ. Harri-
 son, field agent for the U. $. Bureau of
 Crop Estimates. Arizona farmers re-
 port that spring blowing was S5 per
 cent completed by May 1, while the
 amount of spring planting done by
 May was 75 per cent. Range pas
 lures are reported in excellent condi-
 ron. Livestock came through the year With fewer losses than usual. Heavy reductions are reported in the wheat
 hay, and farm pasturage acreage, while the cotton acreage is reported more than twice that of last year.
 Wheat acreage for the state is esti- mated at 34.O00. compared with 10000 acres last, season. The condition of the 2 crop on May 1 was 94 per cent of nor snlal which compares with 95 per cent E st year on May ! and so per cent, the 5e16 May condition Maricopa county Graham, 95; Pinal, 97: Gila, 90; and Pima, 9s. For the United States as whole, the present prospect is for a very small crop of winter wheat. Based on condition of 79.1 on May l. the forecast is for a crop of ASA million bushels. This is PAS million bushels less than was produced last season.
 Cotton prospects op May l 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 id-y improving as a result of more fla Vorable weather. A preliminary esrI- mate places the acreage of the Ameri- can-Egyptian variety at 210.00O acres. which compares with S7,000 acres one year ago; 72,000 acres two years ago; and 33,oo0 acres three years ago. Mari copa county reports 1S5,000 acres; Yuma, 1S.000 acres; Final 10000: and Pima. 5000. The state acreage of short staple is estimated al 20,000
 ., The acreage of alfalfa and other tame hay shows a marked declined, due to i. the preference for cotton. The acreage for the state is reported at 11S,000 as against 16s.000 acres last year. The acreage to be used for pasture is esti- r mated at 35 ,000. compared with S, 900 acres in 1919. The heaviest decline !s reported from Maricopa county. which reports 10000 acres for hay and 15,000 acres for pasture. a. decline of 49,000 acres in hay and 10000 acres in pasture. The present situation is proving un favorable to the dairy and other stock interests 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 S9.6 in 1918.
 The Arizona cantaloupe acreage is 1 estimated at 2.500, which compares i with 4,50O in 1919, 2,300 in 1918, and ! 5000 in 1917. The commercial crop is 'Ebnfined largely to Maricopa and Pinal ] counties.
 Pasture conditions May 1 we're 96 per cent of normal. This compares i with 92 last year, S1 in 1918. and SS, the | f0-year average condition May l. For l the United States, pasture conditions May l were 79.S, compared with 90.3 | -.1st year and S4.5, the 10-year average.
 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 | lie losses for the state are reported at | :.5 per cent from disease and exposure, | compared with 5.6 per cent, the 10-year | average Sheep show a loss of 2.5 per | cent from disease and 2.S per cent from 1 exposure, as against 2.S per cent from disease and Az per cent from exposure, 1 the 10-year average mortality. The 1 number of lambs that died from disease and exposure is estimated at per cent | compared with s.2 per cent, the Swear average.