The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1922-04-27

wear is 17,16O,0OO ouSneIs, coHPaIeu
with a final estimate of last year
crop of 16,l62, 900 bushels, and l3,-
622, 900 bushels produced in 1919. The
estimate for this year is based on the
assumption that there will be about
10 per cent winter abandonment. The
winter abandonment for the past Z
years has ranged from as low as l per
cent in 1919 to as high as 20 per cent
in 1917, and the average for the per.
iod has been 8.4 per cent. Much OF
the winter wheat crop was sown last
fall in dry ground, and either did not
sprout or did not have sufficient
moisture to promote vigorous growth,
SO the extent of the abandonment is
still uncertain. Most Of the principal
winter wheat areas of the state have
been deficient in moisture throughout
the winter, but the very favorable
moisture conditions that have prevail
ed during the first half of April, may
reduce the abandonment below aver
age. The tentative estimate of pro-
duction is based upon a 13-bushel
average yield per acre, compared with
1872 bushels in 1919 and IL bushels in
1921.
The United States Winter Wheat
Crop improved in condition "a points
from December l to April l, as COM
pared with an average decline in the
past ten years Of AZ points between
these dates.
Winter Rye-The outlook for the
winter or fall rye crop of Colorado
is somewhat more promising than for
wheat. The condition improved about
Z points during the period since De-
cember l, and reached April at about
s6 per cent Of normal, compared with
80 per cent last year, and a ten-year
average of 80 per cent. The condition
on April l, justifies forecast of ap-
proximately 11.6 bushels per acre and
production of $4,000 bushels, COM
pared with 1,058,OO0 bushels harvest
ed in 1921. The forecast is based on
10000 acres planted to fall rye for
grain, compared with $4,000 acres a
year ago. In 1921 nearly 80 per cent
of the area devoted to the rye crop
was fall rye. Much of the rye acre
age of this state is used for pasture
and not harvested for grain. Prac-
tically the entire acreage of rye in
the state is upon non-irrigated lands.
Brood Sows Reports generally
show renewed interest in the further
development Of the swine industry of
the state, and indicate an increase in
the number of brood sows of about 10
per cent during the past year. The
abundance of cheap feed and the
heavy corn reserves have brought
about the tendency towards rapid
increases in numbers. The demand
for brood sows has been very brisk for
several months. The estimated num-
Der in the state on April l is $4,000.
Only about the usual amount of di-
sease is reported. There have been
small losses attributed to flu and
pneumonia, and some complaint of
losses in spring Gtters. The total
number of swine in the state on
January l, was estimated at ass 900
compared with the census number of
100000 January 1, 1920. The num-
Der Of mature hogs assessed in the
state on April 1, 1921, was 172,s44,
compared with 177,497 on April 1,
1920, 195,1SS on April 1, 1919, and
194,576 on April l. 1918. The federal
census reported the number of sows
and gelts for breeding purposes in the
state, January l, 1920, as 1868, or
36.4 per cent of all swine. The agri-
cultural enumeration made by the
county assessors for April /, 1921. in
dicated that the farmers of the state
then held about s per cent more brood
sows than on April 1, 1920.
Farm Labor Supply-The supply of
farm labor is more plentiful than for
several years and the demand light
er. The present supply is about 9
of last year, while the present need
is indicated as only So per cent of nor
NAL. compared with 81 per cent last
year. Assuming that normally the
supply of and demand for farm labor
are about equal, its appears that from
the records of the past four years that
the low point of supply was in 1920,
and the high point of demand for
farm labor was in 1919. There are
now about 124 men for each 100 Jobs
on Colorado farms, last year there
were 121 men for each 100 jobs, while
in 1920 there were only 81 men avail
able for each 100 jobs. These figures
indicate there is either less acreage
to be farmed or that such crops are
to be grown as will require less labor.
Correspondents report a general ten
dency to eliminate hired help as far as
practicable. Improved farm machin-
cry as well as low prices paid for farm
products have considerable influence
upon farm labor demand In the Unit
ed States the farm labor supply is
indicated as only y point below nor
NAL. while the demand is 1917 per cent
below normal, making the supply
about 11.4 per cent above the demand
or about Ill men for each 100 farm
Jobs, compared with 1888 last wear
and 6S for 1000 W