The Dolores star., 1921-12-30
STATE SHOWS GAINS
BIG ACREAGE INCREASE ALL
OVER CENTENNIAL STATE.
COLORADO HAS SUFFERED LESS
DURING YEAR THAN OTHER
LOCALITIES.

ihe year ioEl nus Deen period OIL
financial stringency throughout the
country, with restricted operations in
almost every line of productive activ-
ity. Colorado has not escaped the
general depression, but business and
industrial conditions have been bet
ter here than in most states.
Colorado farmers increased their
cultivated acreage at least per cent
over 1920, while the cultivated acre
nge for the country at large was at
least per cent below that of 1920,
and about 8 per cent below the high
mark of 1919. Mining activity was at
rather low ebb in the state through
out the year, but conditions showed de-
cided improvement during the last
few weeks Of 1921, with indications
for better production and somewhat
higher prices In 1922. The states man.
ufacturing output fell considerably
short of the large production of 1919,
but was not far below that of 1920.
Prices for manufactured goods, how
ever, were far below the average of
1919 and somewhat below the average
for 1920, so that the value OF Colo
rado's manufactured goods for 1921
was somewhat below S200,OOO,OOO,
compared with more than $275,OOO,OOO
for 1919, as shown by the census re-
port.
Reports of county assessors to the
State immigration Department show
that the total area under cultivation in
Colorado in 1921 was slightly in excess
of 6,O00,0to acres, being the largest
acreage ever cultivated in the state.
These same reports also show that
approximately 1000 more farms were
being operated than We're farmed in
1920, which accounts for the increase
in cultivated acreage. More than 45O,-
600 acres of raw land was broken in
the state for 1921 crops, which is the
largest amount Of new land broken
any year since 1918, when the war de-
mand encouraged Colorado farmers to
exert special efforts to obtain large
production.
The season just ended was not fav-
orable for crop production in some Of
the most important farming counties,
and the result was that the total crop
output fell considerably short of that
| for 1920, which was an excellent sea-
son In most sections of the state. In
the northeast part Of Colorado drought
prevailed through practically the en-
tire summer, greatly reducing crop
yields. Since this section has larger
percentage of its area under cultiva-
tion than any other part of Colorado,
the result was very heavy reduction
in crop output, especially for corn and
wheat, which are grown extensively
In the drought stricken district.
The large increase in cultivated
acreage in 1921 was due almost entire
ly to the increase in acreage devoted
to winter wheat. County assessors re-
ported 1,40S,26O acres devoted to this
crop, compared with 1,034, 143 acres in
1920. Reports of county assessors are
not quite complete, so that it may
safely be estimated that the total area
devoted to winter wheat in the state
in 1921 was above 100000 acres. AS
a result of the unfavorable season a
considerable amount of this grain was
not cut, the total area harvested be-
ing estimated at about 1,346,0OO acres.
The average yield per acre, however,
was estimated at only about 12 BUSH
els, compared with an estimated aver
age Of about 18 bushels for 1920.
Acreages devoted to spring wheat,
oats, barley and rye We're not mater
tally different from those of 1920.
Production of these crops was not so
sharply and at spring planting time in
that of winter wheat, since none of
them is as extensively grown in north
east counties as is winter wheat The
output of the four crops was not much
| different from that Of 1920
The acreage devoted TO corn and
sorghums in 1921 was considerably be-
low that for 1920, due perhaps to the
fact that many farmers used acreage
that would normally have been de-
voted to corn and sorghums for winter
wheat. During the fall of 1920, when
the 1921 crop of winter wheat was
planted, the price of wheat was high
and farmers, believing that the price
planted extensively. Before the end
of 1920, however, prices had fallen
sharply and at spring planting time in
1921 they had fallen still further. This
fact undoubtedly influenced Colorado
| farmers to reduce their acreage of
practically all spring crops, and the re-
suit was especially noticeable on corn
and sorghums. The total corn acreage
reported by county assessors was l.
049,S20, compared with 1,074,S14 acres
for 1920. The area reported for all
sorghums was 34O,921, compared with
397, ,1S4 reported for 1920. The actual
decrease in acreage devoted to these
crops was somewhat greater than that
Indicated by the figures here given.
since reports Of assessors for 1921
were somewhat more complete than
those for 1920.
The hay crop was slightly below nor