The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-24
STATE FARMERS FARFROM BEING
 BROKE, CYST SAYS
Enter New Crop Season in Much Better Financial Con- dition Than Last Year,
 Specialist Asserts


 
 Montgomery, April 2S.-(special) Alabama farmers are far from be- ing broke and are entering the new crop season in much better condi- ton financially than they did last year, according to a statement satur- day afternoon by r. W. Gist, state and federal crop statisticlan, follow ing study of several weeks.
 An investigation by MT. Gist dis closed the fact that the surplus crops available for sale from 1921 amounted to the value of $S9,49O, 900, sales of live stock and their products during that year amounted to $26,422,000, while the amount of cotton carried over by the Alabama farmers from the previous year sold at 1921 prices for about $10,640, 900. This made a total of $126, ,000 worth of farm products available for sale against an aggregate from the 1920 crop of $110,672. 900, or an in crease of cash or equivalent receipts of about 15 per cent. From this ad- ditional income the farmer has been able to pay many of his for mer obligations, renew his credit and go into the new year with a greater purchasing power than he had a year ago.
 MT. Gist also pointed out that the farmers were able to make last years crop on much smaller in- dttr n UraNinilq Last years crop was made with less than half the usual expendi- lures for fertilizers. labor and store bills" he said. "The farmers did without the fertilizer and store ad- vances and their labor cost them less than half the year previous. At the same time they made their own food and feed to a much larger extent than usual, which put them Into this year with less to buy and more to buy with"
 Bank at Piedmont
 Illustrating the financial condi- ton of agricultural sections, MT. Gist referred to one bank in the Piedmont section which carried loans to the amount of S1,200,0 ,000 by using $400.- 900 of capital and surplus, $350.o0 of depositors' money and $450,000 bor-
 
 months of 1922 the bank had repaid It's discounts in the east from the payments Of farmers on account and was ready to do business again with the same farmers with renewed faith.
 MT. Gist coatinued:
 Tn the meantime peanuts and hay are all gone from the farm which were for sale: the hog season is about over with average sales at a fair price; corn has gone to s1 a bushe1 to the buyer; truck crops are moving briskly in increased volume cotton is still 1B cents pound and planting progressing rapidly. with good stands already Np in some sec tions: working weather has been plentiful and used to advantage farm hands are plentiful at reason able wages. and the year is started with fair prospects for successful operations.
 Not a single bank failure in Ala bsma can be charged to agricultural conditions; on the contrary. some banks are begging their customers to continue their loans. The boil weevii, feeling the general air oi prosperity. are out in large numbers to get thsir share and are praying to the rain god to he good to them Here's hoping that the sun god gets in his work and shines on the cot ton patch, while the rain falls on the corn and grass.
 Locally Montgomery county ha. 200 acres in strawberries coming into the first crop. while more than 100 acres can be seen within sil miles of the city growing cabbage for market Aleo turnIp greens lettuce and green peas are growing for local supply. Irish potatoes are also 1T evidence about the city in largel patches than usual. We may in crease our cotton acreage and prob. ably will. We cut 1t in half during the past six years, while the Caro- linas and Texas planted more; wt are entitled to grow more if we wan to. But nobody must get the ides that diversification, which has al ways been with us, has proven |