The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-10
TENANT LABOR ON
FARM ENG IN To
OTHER INDUSTRIES
Wheat and Oats Below Az
erage-Farmers to Plant
Bigger Acreage
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU !
THE .AGE-HERALD
Montgomery, Ala, April 8

Alabama farm labor at this time
is per cent short of the demand.
according to a statement today OF
f. w. Gst, federal and state agri-
cultural statistician, made followin g
an investigation of crop reporting
This shortage is compared with a
demand OF 10 per cent above the
supply last year The supply at the
time the inquiry was made was 81
per cent of normal, showing that
farm labor is entering other indus
tries. The demand for farm labor is
SO per cent of normal, compared
with a demand last year of 81 per
cent of normal.
In other words, the supply is less
and the demand greater this year
than last, year.
Mr.. Gist's statement also estimated
that the total number of soWs for
breeding this year is 100000, or IS
per cent of the total number on the
farms at this time last year.
o O O
Gis's Analysis.
Mr.. Gists statement follows:
The condition of winter wheat in
Ala bama on April / was 50 per cent
of normal. This condition indicates
an acreage yield of about 10 bushels.
The acreage sown to wheat last fall
was estimated to be about $4,000, the
crop being grown in only few coun-
ties. The present condition of fall
sown oats is 81. Both of oats and
wheat conditions are below the av-
erage for former years at this date,
and is thought to be due to unfa-
vorable winter weather. Some win
ter killing was experienced in the
northern counties, and the growth 5
not the best in any section.
The number of breeding sows on
la, 80,
mated to be 10000, or % per cent of
the number on farms year ago.
The supply of farm labor is re-
ported as 81 per cent of normal, com
pared with sc per cent last year, 50
in 1921, 20 in 1920, and IS in 1919.
The demand for labor for farm pur-
poses is reported as 80 per cent of
normal compared with 81 per cent
last year, 81 in 1921, 10 in 1920. and
105 in 1919. The ratio of supply to
demand expresses the extent OF
shortage or surplus. The ratio at
this time is "a, compared with 10
last year. III in 1921, GA in 1920. an.
81 in 1919. The conclusion is, therS
fore that the supply of labor is 6
per cent short of the demand. In
the aggregate no. great deal of
hired labor is used on Alabama
farms. most of the work being ac-
complished by tenants. The supply
reported at 80 per cent of that of
last year.
o O O
VIII Operate More Flows.
Reports received at the same
time indicate that the number of
p1ows intended to be operated this
season is | per cent greater than
the number operated last season and
tlrat the total acreage intended to be
planted this year to all crops is )
per cent greater than last year. The
greatest increase is found in the
black belt counties where plows are
to be increased about 8 per cent, and
1.-THE total acreage about 9 per cent.
The acreage north of the black belt
will apparently be about the same as
last year. while south of that section
It will be decreased.
"Details of this report by counties
will be published in the current issue
of the Alabama Markets Journal and
IRON ReportS"