Imperial Valley press., 1922-05-15
OFFICIAL REPORT
FAV0RS IMPERIAL
VALLEY PRODUCE

The following is in part the report
of the research department of the First
National Bank of Los Angeles and the
Los Angeles Trust & Savings Bank to
the war finance corporation, covering
agricultural, livestock and banking con-
ditions in the Los Angeles agricultural
loan agency district as of May IS.
Weather conditions continued unfa-
vorable to growing crops during the
first 10 days of May, with the result
that most crops are now from two to
four weeks behind their normal growth.
mean curtailment of crops, while in
others it will merely mean later ma
turity than usual.
Apricots Alfalfa and Cotton
The only change in the apricot situa
tion during the past two weeks has
been the revision of the estimate of the
damage done to the crop in the Ban
ming and Hemet' districts by the frosts
in April, which does not appear to have
been as serious as was at first anti
cipated. The crop is so short, however,
that plans are being made to handle it
on the basis of about $4,000 per ton
as compared with $4,000 last year.
Less than nine per cent of the Cali
fornia wheat acreage will be abandon
ed and estimated production is now
placed at 12,960,00O bushels as com
pared with $685. bushels in 1921.
The first cutting of alfalfa is now
entering the market and the quality is
superior to the general run of first
cut hay, although in some parts of the
San Joaquin Valley the portion of the
first crop not already cut has been
damaged slightly by the late rains.
Yields generally have been heavy and
prospects for the second crop are eX-
ceptionally good.
Although last year S stocks have now
been cleaned out the market continues
weak, with the present level in prices
in Los Angeles ranging from $lS to
500 ton as compared with $40 a ton
two weeks ago and $500 q month
ago. There seems to be little promise
of an increase in prices.
The cotton situation continues salts
factory In spite of the fact that some
Arizona cotton has not done quite as
well as was expected and considerable
replanting has had to be done, because
VI FOOE lutIt dIb OdDip PIE
grounds for belief that o good crop
may be anticipated, Practically all of
the planting and replamtings have been
completed and the acreage remains the
same as that previously reported, ap-
proximatcly 100000 acres in Arizona
and 100000 acres in the Imperial Valley
of California and Mexico.
Indications are that market condi
tions will be very satisfactory when
this year S cotton commences to move.
Imperial Valley Crops
The Imperial Valley cantaloupe acre
age is now placed at 81, 1922 acres, APP
proximately 5000 acres more than in
1921. The season will open about May
| 20 and the crop is in excellent condi-
| tion. 1T is expected there will be from
| $4,000 to 10000 car loads of canta-
loupes shipped from the Imperial Val
| ley this year as compared with 10, ,156
last year.
Onions, squash and mixed bunch veg
etablies are commencing to be shipped
/ to Eastern and Northern markets in
, ear load lots.
The first crate of Imperial- Valley
tomatoes has reached the market and
shipments will be made in increasing
amounts during the next few weeks
Both the Imperial and Coachella Val
/ leys are shipping onions to the Los An.
/ geles market, receipts running as bigl
as 81 ear loads day with quality re
ported us fair. Prices are running
from $l.90 to 1925 per car.
There has been practically no chang,
in the livestock situation In this dis
trict during the past two weeks, will
the exception of Il slight increase il
prices III the various markets. Bot
San Francisco and Los Angeles market
are increasing their purchases of Cali
fornia grass fed beef. Recent sales o
beef have been made in the Imperia
Valley 71ac f. 0. b. ranch and cows hav
been sold to Los Angeles packers a