The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-12
MONEY IN PEANUTS SHOWN BY REPORT IF STAT|ST|C|AN
Gist Shows Profits Larger Than From Cotton-- Supply Does Not Now Meet
 Demand
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD ] Montgomery. Ala. Feb II |


 Without telling farmers of Alabama that they could make a larger profit by planting peanuts than by plant ing cotton next year, F. W. Gist, federal and state agricultural sta tistician, has presented information regarding the prices of peanuts now as compared with the prices of cot ton MT. Gist showed that the prices indicate a profit of s2.75 an acre in peanuts over the profit In cotton and that peanut yields are much more certain than cotton yields.
 MT. Gist's weekly statement fol- lows:
 "It is no part of the functions of the crop reporting service to tell farmers what to plant, it is our busi- ness to present pertinent facts, from which farmers may draw their own conclusions. There Is situation just at present. emphasiz by the prices of cotton and peanuts, respectively, which is interesting, to say the least. The weekly report of the Washing ton bureau on peanuts as of February l contains the following very per- tinent statement, which is of suf- ficient importance to the peanut sec tion of this state to repeat in full:
 Prices $40 Per Ton
 "The market price of farmers grade Spanish peanuts is now re- ported at s130 to $40 per ton at the shipping point, with several cars re- ported sold at the top. Except for a limited quantity in the hands of farmers, stocks are concentrated in strong hands; some shelters are said to be buying from each other.
 "The market for runners is strong at $100 to $105 per ton, al country points, with supplies scarce. Consid- erable demand reported for planting purposes, for both runners and Span ish, many farmers having sold on rising market being now desirous of planting in the spring.
 "The demand for shelled peanuts is heavy, and the market strong. It is feared that supplies will not be ade- quate for future demands.
 Crude peanut oil reported nom- inally at IA cents per pound, and 45 per cen. peanut meal at s55 per ton. Little oil or meal available.
 More Producers Needed
 Everything points to the fact that the production of peanuts was not equal to the demand; that prices started up, inducing growers to sell; that dealers got the bulk of the sup ply and are making a strong market by holding on.
 The question which presents itself is whether peanuts at the present price is as good as cotton at the pres ent price. The average yield of Spanish peanuts on solid acreage is around 25 bushels in Alabama, or 625 pounds. At present prices this yield would bring S40.63 per acre, with an- other s5 for the hay. The average yield of cotton last year, which is about the general average since the weevil came, or perhaps above the average expected, was 1855 pounds. At p1 esent prices for lint and seed, this is equivalent to $42.SS per acre. This shows $275 in favor of peanuts. Of course, we have no assurance that peanuts will sell for this price next fall but We do know that orderly marketing will always bring the best price In the spring. Neither have we any assurance that cotton will be worth 2S cents next fall, or that the yield will be up to the average. In fact, peanut yields have been much more stable than cotton. Also we know that a mule and a man and blow can cultivate more land in peanuts than in cotton since the weevil came. As said in the beginning, this is not advice; it is mere statement of facts.
 Live Stock
 "Out of the recent live stock eS- timates comes the showing that there were in this state on January l, 531,000 pigs under months old and 5S6,OO0 other hogs over 6 months old, besides 163, 900 sows held for breed irg This looks like a supply of 1,1lS,O00 hogs for consumption dur ing the year, besides some pigs which will be farrowed in the spring and marketed during the close of the year. In other words, we can market more hogs this year than last, not wlthstanding the decrease in brood sows.
 There are 4.319,oOO laying hens in the state, which ought to furnish a splendid volume of eggs during the coming season.
 There were on January 1, 377,000 milk cows and 139,000 heifers from which milk may be produced this year. Also there were 154,0 beef cows and 72,O0O beef heifers. some of which can be drawn upon for milk if the demand is good and the price right.
 Little or no farm work has been done during the past week on account of bad weather. Early plantings of garden stuff have been delayed, and likely the output of strawberries will be interefered with.
 "Prices of all farm commodities continue strong"
 GAVELS IN DEMAND
 If any citizen of Alabama has an