The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-14
WEATHER
 FOR STATE SCR0PS|
Alabama Farmers Busy, Gist Reports-Planting Prac-
 ticalIy Complete
By FRED H. GORMLEY Montgomery Bureau. The Age-HeraId, 22l-2 First National Bank Building


 Montgomery. May 13.-(Special.)- Alabama has had almost perfect crop growing weather during the past two weeks, according to the weekly summary of crop conditions Saturday by F. W. Gist, federal and state statistician for agriculture. He said the elements required by crops are air, light, heat. moisture and soil. that air and oil are with the state always and that during the past two week the proper proportion of light, heat and moisture have been visited upon the state.
 Investigations show that crops are clean, that farmers are busy in their fields, that planting has practically been completed in the southern part and that while the season has been delayed in the northern part, farm CTS work Is almost up to par.
 Farmers are using fertilizer freely and reports to MT. Gist indicate that the purchasers have paid cash. La Dor is being found at reasonable wages. Early potatoes In Baldwin and surrounding counties are mov- ing freely. Baldwin has shipped 100 cars or more. while Mobile has reached 1900 cars of cabbage
 MT. Gist's weekly statement of crop conditions follows:
 Air. light. heat. moisture, and soil are the five clements which nature furnishes in the business of farming. Air and soil we have al- ways with us. During the past two weeks we have had the other three in such proportions as have contrib uted to well nigh perfect growing weather. At the same time the farmers have been able to work al- most full time. Both farmer and crops have taken advantage of their opportunities.
 Growing spIendidIy
 Crops are clean and growing splendidly. Domination has been good and stand of all crops were never much better. In the south half of the state planting has reached near the finish and cultiva- ton has kept pace with growth. In the northern part the season was somewhat delayed, but work Is al- most up to par now. Cotton chop ping Is well under way and the hoe is busy daily.
 "Fertilizcrs have been used freely everywhere and reports indicate that they have been largely paid for in cash. Labor is plentiful at reason- able wages, and with fair weather the crop will be well worked and laid by on time.
 'The early potato crop is moving freely, Baldwin county alone having shipped 100 cars or more to date. Mobile has reached her prospect of 1,200 cars of cabage and will ex- ceed 1t.
 "Gardens were never better nor furnished home eating earlier. Small truck growers in the middle section are already selling stuff locally in quantity.
 Pastures are splendid and milk production Is well up to normal Hens are laying freely and young fryers are ready for the table. The hog sea son closed at fair price and the new season will start almost at once.
 Indications point to reduced peanut acreage for commercial pur- poses, but it is though that the usual interplanting will furnish hoggina for the fall pork production.
 "Oats are being cut, for binding or hay. with rather low yields, due to rust. Only where nitrate was used freely will the crop be worth threshing."