The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-27
ALABAMA FARMS
 ARE HELD BACK BY NERVOUS MONEY
Agricultural Statistician Issues Monthly Report-Many of the Items Contain Scant
 Cheer for Planter

MOntB emery, FeDruary Zo.-(SpeCAdll Agricultural operations of Alabama have been held back during the past month because of the unsettled finan- cial condition and the uncertainty about the value of cotton and about the policy of the banks toward the financing of the crops next year, ac- cording to summary of agricultural conditions issued today by F. w. Gist, agricultural statistician for this state.
 Work on the farm has been possi- ble to a normal volume, but operations are still in abeyance on account of unsettled financial conditions" said MT. Gist. The prospect of advances and operating credits from banks and merchants is not so favorable as a month ago. The further deflation in cotton and other prices of farm com nnodities has tended to further unset tied banking facilities. Should cotton loans be called, the sale will further depress the price. make possible some marked stringency, and render the banks unwilling to advance for another crop even if possible to do so. If cotton is continuously held, the possibility of advance for another crop will be lessened. Altogether the situation is not clear, and operations are waiting the settlement of the situation
 The summary of farm conditions follow:
 The weather for February has been bit unusual in that no real freezes have occurred in the south half of the state. Light showings of ice have appeared, and several light frosts have occurred. No special darhage has been reported, except the probable delay in the maturity of strawberries at the commercial centers. The ultimate out- turn will probably not be materially lessened.
 Work on the farm has been possible to normal volume, but operations are still in abeyance on account of un- settled financial conditions. The pros- pect of advances and operating credits from banks and merchants is not so favorable as a month ago. The fur ther deflation in cotton and other prices of farm commodities has tended to further unsettle banking facilities. Should cotton loans be called, the sale will further depress the price, make possible some marked stringency, and render the banks unwilling to advance for another crop even if possible to do so. If cotton is continuously held, the possibility of advances for another crop will be lessened. Altogether the situation is not clear, and operations are awaiting the settlement of the situation.
 The fertilizer situation has reached 8 rather acute stage. Present prices of mixed goods are higher than farmers feel able to pay on the present level of farm values. Only one- third the tax tag sales of last year has been made Sto date. The commissioner of agricul- ture has issued a ruling which admits the distribution of acid phosphate without sacking, branding or tagging on payment of tax in bulk. This will enable farmers to buy this class of plant food at greatly reduced prices. Returns from this ruling have not yet begun to arrive, and no estimate of final use can be made.
 The probable cotton acreage is still problematic. Small farmers will prob ably reduce their cotton acreage still further from last year, especially in the north part of the state Plantation operators. with a considerable come, back of their old tenants, are inclined to take another chance if they can get advances 1or that purpose. Some smaller operators win limit thei, tenants to what they have in the way or supplies, and are announcing their intention to cut out the use of fer tilizers. An excellent opportunity ex- ists to find out what fertilizer residues will do.
 Livestock sales are continuing es- pecially with the association method. Efforts are being made to induce growers to hold their pigs for home developement and their sows for fur ther building of stocks for the faII This effort is nesting with some re- suits.
 Interest is being manifested in seeds and plants for sirup cane potatoes, and other minor crops, and the indications are that the acreage will hold or ke in- creased
 Further development of dairying and poultry raising is in prospect, though recent drops in prices of eggs may with draw some of this product from the market
 Requests for information of a statisti- cal nature continue to increase, not only from consumers and distributors but rom producers. The latter are calling for analyses of the situation and asking what present data lead to as to future conditions.
 Small grain. rather low in acreage, has had excellent growing weather, with no damaging tempertatures. On the other hand, tho open winter gives promise of heavy insect infestation early in the spring.
 Farmers rather expect to find Billy Boil. Weevil sitting on the fence at planting time tuning his voice to join the general chorus What shall the harvest be-
 
 -4- n