The Delta independent., 1925-04-17
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Finance

FARM PROSPECTS year be the
FOR 1925 most important
factors so far
as the farmer is concerned, but the
entire business outlook Of the United
States depends almost entirely upon
this single situation. If Europe again
has short crops and we enjoy a good
harvest the farmer win have ample
income and general prosperity will be
assured. If the farmer suffers from
poor Yields or from poor prices for
his products general business will
slow down and the improvement
noted this spring will become his
tory. Facing this situation. the pros
poets for various crops and the out
look for farming in general is OF nm.
usual interest.
CATTLE-The cattle raisers made
no money in 1924 and there are now
Sgs less cattle in this country than in
1928: there are SO less than on Jan
uary /. 1924. This shortage should
make itself felt in better prices this
year
HOGS-There are 1Sos less nogs
than there we're year ago and there
will be six million less pigs born this
spring than last We have discussed
the opportunity in hogs in these col
umns before and that opportunity
stnl exists Too many farmers sold
both corn and hogs. Those who grow
pork this year should get a good
price for g.
HORSES AND MULES Colts foal-
ed in 1924 were only half those Of
1913. The tractor and power farm.
ing are replacing draft horses but
it is possible that the horse breeders
have ovordiscountcd this tendency.
DAtRYING An increase OF 1Ar,
In milk cows has resulted in 3c, i'm
crease Of milk Last year produced
so more butter than I'm 1928 Europ
can demand for dairy products will
continue light.
POULTRY "A 9gs Increase in
the number OF poultry on farms Jan.
nary /. 1925. there Is little prospect
OF an excessive egg crop. A smaller
total OF eggs in storage as compared
with last year also tends TO insure a
good market.
CORN-T The heavy sale OF feed ami
mails during the last fall and winter
has lessened our normal consumption
Of corn by about 4OO.OOO.O0O bushels
Early estimates meantime Indicate
an increase in acreage Of about 2ia e..
It looks as though there should be
plenty OF corn
WHEAT Winter conditions have
been fair. Much reseeding will be re-
quired In some sections Estimates
place increased spring wheat acreage
at 14os. Too much wheat will soften
prices
OATS Last years bumper crop Is
i'm excess Of domestic needs and
there seems to be small export de.
mand The indicated increase acre.
age OF &C., threatens "a surplus Of
oats.
BARLEY Last ynar's crop WAS
sufficient TO meet our needs yet
farmers are said 10 be planning am
Increase Of 23cs in their planting.
Again an excessive crop viii break
prices.
WHITE POTATOES - A bumper
crop I'm 1894 suffered because Of re-
stricted export rulings and farmers
received a poor return. Some ios
less acres in potatoes are planned ac-
cordinR to last estimates. Potato
growers should do much betteh this
year.
FLAXsEED A more or less dis.
appointing crop in 1924, yet farmers
are planning a 100, Increase In acre.
age this year
COTTON-Prospects for this year
will depend largely on the acreage
planted as compared with last year
and the effect OF the boll wcevil on
yield. Perhaps more than any other
crop the control Of production in
cotton will govern prices.
FRUITS - An early spring has
brought buds ahead N time If they
come through without mishap we
should have a good crop with pletny
Of time for II to mature. The danger
Of early buds Of course Is the risk Of
frost
Altogether the general impression
gained from Il study of the situation
lmpresses the student with the fact
that If all the indicated increases in
acreage are actually planted that we
viii be farming about l59S more land
than last year. This. OF course, IL
not the case. There may be a slight
incrense in titled acreage in some
sections but any material expansion
OF planting in any given crop will
have to be made at the expense OF
some other crop. There is a danger
OF Increased planting In few of the