White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-10-23
PROFITABLE FARM YEAR
TO SUSTAIN PROSPERITY

~ QUO HuN 6nVOI 6uIu
Agriculture has been fairly profit
able this year and the improved pur-
chasing power of farmers will do
much to uphold general economic
well-being through the winter, the
United States Department of Agri-
culture declares in its October report
on the agricultural situation. The de-
partment points out, however, that
while conservative judgment of the
recovery of agriculture is warranted,
farm prosperity can be as easily-over-
rated as depression.
"It is splendid harvest" the de-
partment says. "Not bumper yields
but production we'll adjusted to reas-
enable needs. The two great money
crops, cotton and. wheat, are now
along where some idea can be gained
of their value. Cotton apparently
stands to bring it's producers an in
come of approximately $1,500, 200, 600,
which is about like last year, and
wheat producers apparently stand to
receive about $1,000, 100000, which is
also near or slightly below last year.
"These two leading crops probably
index the general crop income. Agri-
cultural income will not be greatly
in excess of last year, but the point
is that this is the second fairly profit
able year. The season will go long
way to level up regional conditions.
The Corn Belt along with the dairy
and diversified East have been slow
to feel the stimulating current of re-
vival, but now the rising prices of
hogs and cattle, together with a
reasonably good corn crop mean some
profit in the Corn Belt. The slowly
strengthening prices for dairy pro-
ducts plus higher potatoes and minor
cash crops promise somewhat better
income for the East. The whole agri-
cultural map thus slowly energies
from economic shadow"
Discussing the situation by key
regions, the department says: Z.
"The East is busy with silo filling
potato digging, fruit harvest and fall
work generally. Potato yields are dis
appointing. Corn growth is excellent
helped by late rains, Beans, buck
wheat and other crops in harvest were
damaged by heavy rains in the north
Winter grain is mostly seeded. Tht
Dairy situation is rather static but
improves rather than otherwise.
"The South is generally under TIN
ban of dry weather. Drought and hea
have been real catastrophe in north
ern Georgia and portions of the Car
olinas The whole Piedmont region
is hard hit. The cotton crop is spot
ted but generally fairly good. Picking
is well along and ginning has bee.
heavy. Feed crops have been short
ened by dry weather. General con
ditions are fairly good except il
! drought areas.
"The Corn Belt has the corn har
vest well along with the crop maturet
safely ahead of frost. There is SOM
chaffy corn in areas hit by dry weathe
but the bulk of the crop is apparent.
good grain. The region is busy witt
the late harvest and fall work. White
grain has been planted under favor
able conditions. The hog and cattl
situation generally favor optimism.
"The Wheat Belt has winter whea
seeding about finished. Local est
mates of acreage vary but general in
dications are of some increase owe
last fall. Spring wheat yields are onl
fair but grain is excellent quality an
, prices are stimulating. Threshing i
, practically finished. The general re
suit of the season is favorable to tn
region as whole.
"The Range Country has the ca.
tie and sheep movement to marke
well along. Stock is moving dow
from the high range to winter pas
lures. There is a heavy demand 70
ewes. Many eve lambs are being hel
back on range and many old eve
shipped to farm hocks for breeder,
Some cattlemen are stocking up wher
resources are favorable, and the Who'll
. region is improving in tone.
! "On the Pacific Coast the apple an
grape harvests are well along. Prune
. are picked. Grain is mostly threshee
Fall seeding is about finished in tn
north, though hindered by dry weathe,
, The same is true of winter trucks i
the south. Cotton is being picked i
the south. Rice and citrus fruit ar
, developing we'll. The general sent
ment is moderately optimistic"
Nfhe departments index of the rela
tive purchasing power of 30 farm pro
ducts is placed at SO for August com
pared with 81 in July, the five yea
leo9-14 average of 100 being used a