Imperial Valley press., 1922-09-04
FARM PROSPECTS
NEVER BETTER IN
COUNTRY REPORT

CUUNIkY KEFUkl
Los ANGELES, Sept. 4.-"From
the standpoint of production, agricul
tural prospects in this district have
never been better,' according to tho
report just issued by the Research De
partment of the First National Bank
of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Trust
Y Savings Bank and the First Securi
ties Company, dealing with agricultur
al, livestock and banking conditions in
the southern half of California on
September /. "However, the report
continues, 'fthere is tendency for
agriculturists to be pessimistic with
regard to marketing situation, mas.
much as the railroad strike has inter
fered with the movement of crops
which are maturing at this time and
has had a tendency to reduce prices
very materially during the past month.
A month ago, farmers were inclined to
give little consideration to the strike,
but they are now coming to feel that
the returns on their 1922 production
will be dependent in large degree up
on the railroad situation during the
next few months.
1.-The entire marketing situation in
this district is abnormal and the dis
tributive processes have been very
seriously interfered with, so that it is
somewhat difficult to make an accur-
ate prediction as to the probable fin
ancial position to agricultural pro-
"a Il ln,,f
agricultural sections following the
marketing of this years crops.
Live Stock Market
"The live stock market has been
more unsatisfactory during the past
month than for some time, in spite
of the fact that the consumption of
meat is showing tendency 20 in
crease; that producers are marketing
their stock in an orderly manner; and
that. there is a real shortage of feeder
stock. So far the railroad strike has
not materially interfered with market
ing of the live stock of this territory.
''The Los Angeles market has drop
ped slightly during the past month,
sales of cattle now being made at 61a
to 6al cents f. o. b. ranch as compared
with 61a to cents month ago.
There are few sales of choice grass
fed cattle being made at as high as Z
cents.
"Veal is bringing s1a to cents
f. o. b. ranch. In the Central San
Joaquin Valley it is reported that beef
is selling from to cents a pound
with comparatively few buyers and
that sales of dairy stock for meat pur-
poses are affecting the market adj
versely.
"Dairy production is continuing
about normal and there is a general
tendency, particularly in the Central
San Joquin Valley, for the situation to
improve slowly as the dairymen adopt
more scientific and sanitary methods
for handling their stock and produce.
Present prices for butter are averaging
around As cents in producing sections.
''The range situation is generally
satisfactory for this period of the
year.
''The third cutting of alfalfa has
been practically completed and market
ed at prices ranging from $14 to SIC
per ton at the farm; Los Angeles
prices averaging from $18 to- $40 per
ton; prices throughout the district hav-
ing remained practically stationary
during the past month.
"Although earlier indications seem
ed to promise that there would be one
less cutting than normal this year, the
recent hot weather has so improved the
situation that it is now believed that
there will be normal number of cut
tings of alfalfa in this territory dur
ing the 1922 season and that the total
production of hay from Fresno south
will run to approximately 100000
tons.
''The hay acreage in this territory
is about 10000 acres less than last
year, due to the fact that land which
year is being harvested for the grain
this year.
Cotton Improves
"The cotton situation continues Il
improve, the condition of the growing
crop in this territory being better al
this time than at any similar time IL
any growing season in the history OF
the district. Present indications are
that the Imperial valley will produce
100000 bales of cotton with the tota
production Of the Pacific Southwest
materially exceeding 100000 bales an'
probably running as high as 350,OO'
to 375,0000 bales.
Comparatively few sales of future
have been made, but the general pric'
tendency is strong, with the probable
price to growers during the marketing
period being estimated at from 20 T.
% cents per pound for short stapl
cotton.
"The market for the cotton of thi'
territory continues to expand, tn
latest development having been tn
entrance Of Mexican buyers into thi
market to buy cotton produced in thu
territory for mills in Mexico wher'
the local crop is decreasing and thi
year gives promise of being material
ly under normal