The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-02-15

centers from month to month in the move
ment of prices for farm products. During the
past month the farmers have gained by a rise in
the price of hogs, which from $3.50 to 1920 per
hundredweight in Chicago, were 81 above the low
point of some weeks ago. That is a very ~substan-
tial Improvement, for in the middle west hogs
bulk large in the farmers income.
On the other hand, butter and eggs, affected by
conditions, suffered a bad slump in the
early part of the month and then recovered most
of it. Dairy products have held up better than
anything else on the farmers list during the past
year, and have kept thousands of farms in ready
money. In view of the amount of unemployment
reported in the cities the consumption of butter
and eggs has held up remarkably. The report of
the American Association OF Creamery Butter
Manufacturers for the week ended January IA,
1922, showed for eighty-four plants an increased
production of "A per cent over the previous week
and 4O.7 per cent over the corresponding week
of the year before. The price broke about Is
cents per pound, but has since made a partial re-
covery. The prices of both butter and eggs, out
of storage, are now below the prices at which
these products were put into storage last Summer
and Spring. The weather has the last word as to
whether or not profits are realized by the storage
of dairy products.
The statistical position of wheat is very storing,
and common opinion is that we are not likely to
have a bumper crop in this country in 1922. Stocks
are light all over the world, and both Argentina
and Australia have had unusual luck with their
crops for two years. All reports about the mar
ket in recent months have agreed that it lacked
speculative support. The farmers marketed rap
idly, and there was not enough speculative buying
to sustain the price.
The corn crop was a magnificent one in guam
tity and quality, and together with a big carry
over from 1920, too much for the current de-
mand. The south cut down its acreage in corn
this year it will put some of that land back into
cotton. The acreage of corn in other states was
increased during the war, when prices were very
high and some reduction will be naturally in order
Furthermore, it would be remarkable if the coun-
try had a fourth successive crop above the aver
age.
Reports indicate a much improved state of feel
ing in the cattle country in recent months, the re
suit in part Of easier financial conditions and il
part of the heavy liquidation that has taken place
The report from Texas is that the country is
cleaned out of aged steers and that the amount o.
all kinds of cattle to come from there this coming
Spring will be light. There has been a great dis
tribqtion of herds under the pressure of debt, bu
it has left the situation much stronger. Mel
qualified to Judge says the southwest has not il
many years had so few cattle to sell. Cow value
are said to have advanced $40 to $40 per hea'
since the fall.
One accomplishment undoubtedly may be cred
! ited To the emergency tariff viz If has strength
ened the market for wool and sheep. Ewes ar
in demand and have had a good advance in price
The prospect for the sheep growers is considers
much more promising. 1t should be added tina
foreign wool markets are stronger.