The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-13
BIG INCREASE IN CROPS OF STATE
 IS IN PROSPECT
Gist Estimates Ten Leading Crops Will Yield Return of Over 181 Millions
 This Year
By FRED IT. GoRMLEY Montgomery Bureau, The Age-Hernld, 22l-2 First National Bank Building

2El-S Flrst Nattonat bAnk DuAuinB
 Montgomery. August l2.-( (SpeciaD F. ". Gist. federal and state sta tistician for agriculture. today an nounced that reports as of August 1 indicated that crop prospects this year are better than last year and indicate an increase of about 2s per cent over the production last year. MT. Gist estimated that the ten leading crops of Alabama will yield return of S1s1.15s.0o0 this year compared with value of s133. 407. 900 last year based on prices December 1, 1922.
 The ten crops on which the es- innate was made constitute about 75 per cent of the harvested pro- duction last year. On this basis the aggregate value of harvested crops now in prospect this season will be about $241, ,oOo as against a total of s177,701,o ,o0o for the harvest of 1921.
 The following forecasts of proba- ble production of the ten crops computation of reports of August l and is compared with the production in 1921:
 Corn, S2.722,ooo bushels compared with s2.251 900 bushels in 1921; cot ton. 632.000 bales compared with 10000; peanuts. 5.o20,000 bushels compared with 7.2s0.ooo hay. 75S,- 900 tons compared with so1. .o00: sweet potatoes 12,74T,ooO bushels Irish potatoes. 4.s2o,o00 bushels com pared with 2.4oO,ooo bushels; sor- ghum syrup. 100000 gallons com pared with 7.650000 gallons; sugar cane syrup. 6.912.00o gallons com pared with s.76O,o0o; oats. B.sso, ,0oe bushels compared with e,7r6,0oo bushels; wheat, 100000 bushels com pared with 21o,ooo bushels.
 Corn was reported as 7a per cent of normal, cotton 70 per cent. pea nuts 7s per cent, hay, s4 per cent, sweet potatoes S3 per cent and Irish potatoes s2 per cent.
 Good Rains Fan
 Good rains have fallen over the state during tho past ten days, in some places heavy. but in most sec tions just enough to make good season for growing crops. The last few days have been cooler, with less sunshine than for some weeks past. It Is thought that tho weevil has taken on renewed vigor and will probably begin to accomplish some
 
 tinue for tho remainder of the sea- son. In the south half of the state. however. there is q fair crop of cot- ton made. which tho weevif will hardly reduce unless very unfavor- able weather conditions prevail from this time on- In the north half the cotton crop fs not so far advanced toward safety, and moro damage may result there; though not as yet has uneasiness begun to prevail.
 The past week has improved corn prospects. except for some old corn which was passed redemption: though not much of such crops were in evidence. While tho total crop for the state does not promise much surplus, if properly distributed there will be enough for home use.
 Pastures have been improved also in tho past ten days. and are now in shape to carry cattle for the rest of the season. In fact, there are more excellent pastures than cattle. With this improvement hay pros poets have also become some brighter.
 Sweet potatoes are looking fine everywhere, and there will be plenty to supply all demands, even to feed ing some to hogs.
 There will probably be quite as much syrup as will be consumed. and more unless some extension of markets is worked out.
 Peas and beans are promising splendidly both for hay and for grain. Tho acreage Is larger than usual and the growth is excellent
 Live stock Is in good condition but not so plentiful as could be taken care of.