Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-10-10
AGRICULTURE

81
much to uphold general economic we'll
being through the winter, the United
States Department of Agriculture de-
clares in it's October report on the ag-
ricultural situation. The department
points out, however, that while con-
servative judgment of the recovery OF
agriculture is warranted, farm pros
rerity can be as easily over-rated as
oppression.
at is a splendid harvest" the de-
partment says, "Not bumper yields but
production vel adjusted to reasonable
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 income of
approximately S1,5OO,0OO,OOO, which
is about like last year, and wheat pro-
ducers apparently stand to receive a.
bout $1,0O0,0OO,OOO, which is also near
or slightly below last year.
'These two leading crops probably
index the general crop income. Ag-
ricultural 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 ben slow to
feel the stimulating current of re-
vival but now the rising prices of
hogs and cattle, together with a rea-
sonably 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 ag-
ricultural map thus slowly energies
from economic shadow"
Discussing the situation by key re-
gicns, the Department says:
"The East is busy with silo filling,
potato digging, fruit harvest and farm
work generally. Potato yields are
disappointing. Corn growth is excel
lent, helped by late rains. Beans,
buckwheat and other crops in harvest
were damaged by heavy rains in the
north. Winter grain is mostly seeded
The Dairy situation is rather static
but improves lather than otherwise
"The South is generally under the
ban of dry weather. Drought and heat
have been real catastrophe in north
ern Georgia and portion of the Caro-
linas. The whole Piedmont region is
hard hit. The cotton crop is spotted
but generally fairly good. Picking is
we'll along and ginning has been
heavy. Feed crops have been short
ened by dry weather. General condi-
tons are fairly good except in
drought areas.
"The Cora Belt has the corn harvest
we'll along with the crop matured safe
" ahead of frost. There is some
chaffy corn in areas hit by dry wealth
er but the bulk Of the crop is ap-
parently good grain. The region is
busy with the late harvest and fall
work. Winner grain has been planted
under favorable conditions. The hog
and cattle situation generally favor
optimism.
"The Wheat Belt has winter wheat
seeding about finished. Local esti-
mates of acreage vary but general in
dications are of some increase over
last fall. Spring wheat yields are on
ly fair but grain is excellent quality
and prices are stimulating. Thresh-
ing is practically finished. The gen.
eral result Of the season is favorable
to the region as whole.
"The Range Country has the cattle
and sheep movement to market we'll
along. Stock is moving down from
the high range to winter pastures.
There is a heavy demand for ewes.
Many eve lambs are being held back
on range and many old ewes shipped
to farm flocks for breeders. Some
cattlemen are stocking up where re-
sources are favorable, and the whole
region is improving in tone.
"On the Pacific Coast the apple and
grape harves.s are we'll along. Prunes
are picked. Grain is mostly threshed.
Fall seeding is about finished in the
north, though hindered by dry wealth
er. The same is true of winter trucks
in the south. Cotton is being picked
in the south. Rice and citrus fruit
are developing well. The general SEN
timent is moderately optimistic"
The Departments index of the rela-
tive purchasing power of 80 farm
products is placed at SO for August
compared with 81 in July, the five
year 1909-14 average of 100 being US