Imperial Valley press., 1923-06-16
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS CONDITIONS
In SOUTHWEST SHOWS REAL CAUSE
FOR REJOICING IN The VALLEY

The following summary of bus
mess and conditions in the Pacific
Southwest for May. has been com
piled by the extensive reserch de-
partment of the Pacific Southwest
Trust and Savings Bank, and is
offered by the local branch Of that
organization as a complete and in
teresting resume of conditions that
particularly affect the welfare of
Imperial Valley residents.
Business is Conservative
Continued prosperity coupled with
increasing evidence of spotted con-
ditionssin several important lines of
production, which argue for caution
in the placing of advance commit
ments, have characterized the econ
omic situation in the Pacific South
west during the month of May.
That the general business progress
will be maintained for some time to
come is evidenced by the conscrva-
tive attitude prevailing in the bus
mess community.
1t is somewhat carly to estimate
the agricultural trend within the
Pacific Southwest during 1923. How
ever, in spite of insufficient moist
ure, abnormally early drop of some
fruits, and walnuts, evidence of a
proportionately heavy crop of sec.
ond- grade deciduous fruits, and un-
settled price conditions, the agri-
cultural situation may be character
lied as satisfactory. There is ev-
70 1n1,n,,n T..
year will equal or exceed those of
last year. with monetary returns to
producers III excess of those of a
year ago, and with basic conditions
in agricultural districts steadily i'm
proving.
Best Since 1920
1T is anticipated that if present
prospects are realized those districts
which have been suffering since
the depression of 1920 will have re-
established themselves economically
by the close of the present crop year.
-. Valley Is Recovering
The Imperial Valley, which has
suffered most from the late bust
ness depression, is becoming in
creasingly optimistic and there are
indications that the 1924 adjust
ment will have been completed in
this territory.
The first cutting of alfalfa is
WOntinuing in most districts, the ex-
ceptions being in Imperial Valley
and Perris Valley, where the first
cutting is finished and where some
second cutting is under way. In
general the season is about 80 days
late, owing to cloudy weather.
Old stocks have practically all
been sold and the balance is being
purchased in considerable quanti-
ties by stock men. The first cut
ting is being rapidly absorbed by
dairymen since this cutting is espe-
cially good Tor milk cows, it hav-
ing had the entire winter for
growth. Yuma Valley of Arizona
is marketing a good deal of its hay
in Los Angeles. The alfalfa crop
in coast counties north of Los An
geles is reported as being excellent,
particularly in the San Luis Obispo
district. The San Fernando Valley
first cut yielded but Il small amount
of alfalft.
Prices on new hay in carload lots
range from 500 i'll Los Angeles for
the inferior grades to $26 for the
best grades. Mixed Imperial Val
ley hay is selling around $3.50 de-
ivered III Los Angeles, but the de-
mand for this quality of hay is
comparatively light, there being
considerable barley and oats mixed
in with the alfalfa.
The Cotton Outlook
The cotton outlook in the Pacific
Southwest is exceptionally promis-
.ing. The weather has been favor
able, generally clear and hot. The
season is practically normal in Ari-
zona, but in California is from two
to four weeks ahead of last year.
This in marked contrast to general
ly unfavorable weather conditions
in the southern cotton belt, which
has resulted in that crop being two
weeks later than normal.
Planting is practically complet-
ed in all districts. Early estimates
indicate a total planting of
$4,000 acres in Arizona, an in
crease of 27 per cent over last year.
This acreage, together with an es.
innate of $4,000 acres in Imperial
County of California and 10000
acres in the Imperial Valley in
Mexico points to total 1923
planting in the Pacific Southwest
of nearly $4,000 acres, which
should mean II total yield OF APP
proximatcly 100000 bales.
Chopping has begun in Arizona,
and in the Imperial Valley is from
25 to so per cent completed, which
means that it should be practically
over by June 10, thus avoiding any
serious labor shortage by being
ahead of the cantaloupc picking.
60 Per Cent Volunteer
The stand appears excellent, the
cultivation good, and plants
healthy. Probably 60 per cent of
the Mexican crop is volunteer, most
of which is now blooming and put,
ting on ShapeS and which gives