The Coconino sun., 1923-07-20
ARIZONA BUSINESS
CONDITIONS IMPROVE

General business IN June tell OIL
from the May level, but to less ex-
tent in some localities than had been
expected with the advent of the va
cation season. Trade conditions were
reflected in banking transactions,
which as reported to the Arizona In
dustrial congress, showed some de-
crease from the preceding month, and
compared only fairly we'll with the
same month Of last year
Agricultural conditions are rather
favorable. Grain has been harvested,
with satisfactory yields, in the south
ern valleys, and is doing we'll in the
north. The weather has been favor
able to alfalfa. A cotton crop OF
about $4,000 bales. both long and
short staple, is indicated by present
condition of the crop, acreage for the
state standing at 27,000.
Summer rains are the pressing need
of cattlemen, water being needed bad
ly over practically all Of the range
area. The condition Of cattle is not
so unfavorable as might be expected
from the range situation, but there has
been some death loss, and feeding has
been necessary in many sections. The
spring movement of cattle was fairly
heavy, although lack of buyers made
sales less than had been expected.
Mining operations are going ahead
without interruption. The copper mar
ket held its own during the month at
prices ranging about Is cents pound.
Increased market activity is expected
in the next few months. The future
of silver remains uncertain, purchases
under the Pittman Act having been
suspended.
Manufacturing concerns of the state
continue to do business ranging from
fair to good. Creameries particularly
report good sales, and the lumber mills
of the north are operating steadily at
about normal.
The grain harvest is practically fin
ished in the southern irrigated valleys,
with yields generally satisfactory, al
though in many cases less than had
seemed indicated by the amount OF
straw. In the north growth is good.
Valley lands on which the harvest has
been finished are now being planted to
other crops, principally corn for silage
and grain sorghums. Alfalfa is grow
ing well.
Present condition of the cotton crop
indicates that a production of around
$4,000 bales may be expected from the
$4,000 acres of long and short staple
varieties planted in the state this
year In Yuma county particularly the
condition of the crop is reported ex-
cellent, while in Maricopa county the
condition is above normal for this time
That Arizona, or at least portions
of Arizona, can produce commercially
one of the finest varieties of onions
known has been proved by several
years experimenting in the southern
part of the state. Cochise county is
now growing more than 200 acres of
the famous Spanish or sweet onion,
and there also are few experimental
tracts in Maricopa county. Possibil
tiles of this special crop may be seen
in the fact that more than 1000, 900
bushels of Bermuda and Spanish on
ions are imported into the United
States each year, and that although
the onion ranks third among truck
crops grown in the country, the Span
ish variety can be grown only in
few localities.
The Spanish onion is globular in
shape, grows to a large size and be-.
cause of its very mild flavor COM
mands a high price In addition to
quality, it is desirable as crop be-
cause of its heavy production, yields of
10000 pounds to the acre being re-
ported not uncommon.
Cantaloupes are now being shipped
in quantity from the Salt River Val
Ley.
Livestock
Summer rains and fall buyers are
now the subject of the hopes of Ari-
zona cattlenen. And without sum
mer rains the fall buyers will be of
little aid.
In view Of the range, water and
feed situation, the condition of cattle
has held up rather well, however, and
if the usual July rains are on time
stock will recover rapidly. The rain
of July 5th was exceedingly welcome,
and fairly general, though Spotted"
and if followed by others will have
good effect.
Rain is needed badly over the
ranges of practically the entire state.
Feeding is under way in many sec
tions, and there has been a consider
able death loss in some localities.
Although lack of buyers on the
range made spring sales less than had
been expected, the spring movement
has been fairly heavy. Shipping SER
vice of the railroads has been general
ly satisfactory, and cooperation has
been given in repairing stock pens
along the line when atte ation was call
ed to the need of repairs.