The Farmington times., 1922-03-17
MISSOURI CROPS, MARCH, 1922

mlCoOOhA NkNOh y, mfANNAA, ASAS
jefferson City, NO., March 13.r-
Stocks of grain upon Missouri farms
now total 80, ,558, 900 bushels compared
to 134, 1880 last March, according
to the latest farm returns announced
by E. A. Logan and Jewell Mayes of
the Federal-State Crop Reporting Ser
vice. Farmers now have only 38 per
cent of their 1921 corn or 69, ,494, 900
bushels compared to AZ per cent of
the 1920 crop and 99,956,000 last
March. OF wheat, Is per cent against
"a or 5,169,000 bushels and 9,037 900;
of oats, 81 per cent compared to a.
or 15,895,000 against 25,740,000. This
is total reduction of 44,175,000 BUSH
els of so perc ent on all grain. :.
Farmers of st. Francois county, af-
ter carefully looking over their pres
ent grain supplies in cribs and bins,
estimate that Is per cent of corn, 10
per cent Of wheat, and IL per cent of
oats remain from the 1921 crop. They
report good plow lands renting for
81 per acre for the coming year and
pastures at 81 per acre for the season.
Condition of wheat at present is 81
per cent, soil SO per cent, apple buds
81 per cent and peaches 80 per cent
normal.
The surplus corn in Missouri's
northern third, together with a con-
siderable amount in the western
counties, with nearly all counties in
central and southern sections short
on corn, and buying.
The portion of last years oat crop
on farms is considerably omre than
usual on account of quality of oats
being very low, resulting in smaller
percentage than usual shipped out of
county where produced.
Cash rents for Missouri farm land
for 1922 are decidedly less than last
year. The rates for farms as whole
are $3.50 per acre for 1922, as COM
pared to $6 last year, and for plow
lands S5.70 against SO. Pasture rents
for 1922 average So per acre for the
season, including Ozark land. The
larger part of rented farm land is on
share crop basis.
Land values have also shrunk. The
average value Of wholly raw land IS
$50 per acre, ranging from $5 to $40
per acre. Poor plow lands average
S4S per acre compared to $58 last
wear; good plow lands $88 against
S106: the average of all plow land is
500 compared to $S3. The average
value of farm lands with improve
ments is $50 per acre against S96 in
1921, and land without improvements
$50 against S74. The state average
value of all farm lands is $50 per
acre ranging from $24 in the south
central section to $108 in the north
west. Very little land is changing
transformers reluctant to sell and
prospective purchasers holding off.
Missouri wheat condition is 80 per
cent of normal Wheat in most sec
tions had but little moisture during
the winter, and has made small
growth, stooling less than usual. The
crop looks good in most places, and
the abandonment will probably be
low. Recent rains and snow have
been beneficial. Most farmers believe
that wheat is going into the growing
season in a more favorable condition
than last year.
General soil conditions are 89 per
cent of normal. The earth has been
dry most of the winter, but nearly all
sections are now we'll saturated. More
blowing has been done than in the
usual fall. Pastures and meadows
have not had sufficient moisture.
Fruit prospects now are good, with
apple buds at 81 per cent normal, and
peaches 90 per cent, and thus far the
fruit is safe. Tests made in Boone
and Laclede counties show buds in a
healthy condition, and the lower tenn
peratures of early March are hold
ing trees back. Peach trees have
been neglected practically everywhere,
and evidently some winter killing has
occurred.
Missouri's 1929 crop acreages, from
present indications, will shift but lit
tie from last year. The corn acreage
will be about the same. In the south
west some doubt is expressed as to
acreage being as large as 1921. Oats
seeding has begun, and will be in full
swing by the 18th, with decrease eX-
pected in acreage. In Southeast Mis-
souri,, expectations are for less corn
and more cotton in the important cot
ton counties. Increases of watermel-
ons and sunhowers and other minor
crops are indicated. Missouri hay
acreage will be increased about 2 per
cent over last year. This will not,
however, bring Missouri meadows up
to their pre-war area. Soybeans and
cowpeas will be above recent acre
ages, with soybeans increasing in
northern counties.
Live stock of all kinds are doing
well, and rough feed is plentiful. The
winter has been fine for open feeding,
and little feed has been lost in muddy
lots. Horses and mules are low, but
prices have improved in the corn
counties. Hogs have been the best
farm money-getter during the past
six months. Lambs are selling well,
but comparatively few farmers are
feeding. Stock hogs are scarce, with
active demand. Brood sows bring
good prices. Cattle are selling high
er al farm sales, although fu many
sections stock cattle are still low.
The present agricultural outlook is
very much brighter than few months
ago. Rising farm prices have in
creased confidence and stimulated the
t.,rn, s,r;r;t Tho biu nnad ic ready