The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-11
HAY ACREAGE IN
 STATE REDUCED
Crop Is at Present Reported to Be Only 88 Per Cent
 of Normal

Montgomery, May 10.--(Special.)- A reduction of 5 per cent in the acre. age from which hay will be cut this year Is indicated In report issued today by F. W. Gist, federal and state statistician for agriculture, regard ing conditions found from reports of May.
 This reduction reflects a probable reduction in the acreage to peanuts in the southeast section, and also a probable reduction of the Johnson grass area in the blackbelt. At this time of year any report on hay acre. age is only tentative at best, as ex- pressing the probable intention of farmers. nothing but a few grasses and alfalfa being In any condition from which to judge the probable area to be cut. Such a reduction as is indicated would leave 81S,000 acres, which ought to yield large and val uable crop of hay If properly cured, carefully graded. and the surplus wisely marketed, according to MT Gist.
 The condition of the hay crop at present is reported at SS per cent of normal. which can only refer to John son grass and alfalfa. Some of this dtItdEc ndS dlTtduy DteH cut Ine first time and has yielded a fair amount of splendid hay.
 Twenty-two per cent of last years hay crop Is reported still on the farms. This has particular reference to that part of the crop intended for home use. and which Is not of first class marketable stuff. Very little hay is now available for market in Alabama. while tho demand Is still good at a fair price. It can be said that real first class hay has not yet supplied the demand in this state, and there Is opportunity for further development of this commodity on our farms.
 Less Flowing Done
 The per cent of spring blowing the 10-year average by points, be- ing reported at 75. That some plant ing was done without special prepar- ation Is shown by the fact that the percentage of planting done was 6S. as compared with a 10-year average of TO.
 The number of horses and mules dying out of each 1000 during the past year was found to be 20, which Is just slightly below the 10-year average of 22.
 The number of cattle dying from disease per 1000 was 23, com- pared with 10-year average of 2s. and the number dying from exposure average of 22. The greatest propor- ton of loss was in the western part of the blackbelt and in the south western section.
 The number of sheep dying from disease and exposure was AZ per l. coo. which Is below the 10-year aver age. In this class of animals the heavy losses occurred in the south ern third of the state, where the most sheep are grown. A total of 45 lambs per 1000 were lost. com pairing with 10-year average of 45, proportionate losses being very heavy in the southwest and south central sections.
 The loss of hogs was 50 per 1000. compared with 10-year average of 67. the loss In the heavy hog dis trict In south Alabama being about 5S per 1000. It appears that cholera still makes considerable inroads on hog herds in the southern counties. The present healthful condition cf animals Is reported as 92 for horses and mules. 92 for cattle, 93 for sheep and 92 for hogs.
 Pastures show a splendid condi- ton, especially in the black belt and southern sections, averaging 91 for the state.
 The acreage which will probably be harvested to wheat is reported as 19,000 and the condition of the crop was found to be S5. This indicates a total crop of 201,o00 bushels for the state this year, compared with 210,- 900 bushels harvested last year.