The Coconino sun., 1926-12-17
Business Has An
Upward Trend

Though inclined to vary somewhat
with different lines and localities,
business maintained an upward trend
in November, and is entering the WIN
ter season on approximately the same
general level as a year ago. Whole
sale and retail trade in the agrlcultur-
al communities have felt some effects
OF the unsatisfactory cotton situation,
but on the whole the outlook IS fairly
favorable.
With the cotton season gradually
nearing an end and winter lettuce
movement under way, interest IN ag-
riculture is turning more and more
to next season. Increased acreage Of
grains, alfalfa and truck crops may
be expected, and there are prospects
of a material revival of dailying.
Approval of the contract for the
Coolidge dam of the $5,500,000 San
Carlos project of 100000 acres in the
Florence-Casa Grande Valley, let to
the Atkinson-Spicer company Of Los
Angeles at S2.268,000 exclusive Of
materials, forecasts beginning Of ac-
tual construction the first Of the year,
and has been followed by announce
ment that an eastern syndicate has
000-acre project of the Gila Water
company near ella Bend, sale and de-
velopment contracts representing APP
proximately $5,000,000. Further de-
velopment and colonization of this
project, with special attention to
dairying, are to be started at once.
The livestock situation has been
marked by close Of fall cattle move
ment at prices above those of year
ago, movement of sheep to southern
feeding grounds in excellent condi-
ton, and indications Of much benefit
to ranges from recent general rains.
The industry has shown definite eco
nomic improvement during the year.
The mining industry continues to
be handicapped to some extent by
failure of the copper market to reach
higher level, with sinking Of the
silver market as an unfaVorable in
fluence, but operations are going
ahead without material change. Ac-
tivity in development Of new prop
critics remains pronounced.
Construction lines have been ac
tive. Banking transactions in prin-
cipal cities Of the state in November,
as reported to the Arizona Industrial
Congress, showed general increases
over October, and fell below those for
November, 1925, only in a bare ma
jority of cases.
The livestock industry is entering
the winter with a generally favora-
bic outlook Although feed is short
in some sections, ard additional rain
is needed to produce desert feed on
wintering grounds for sheep, range
conditions have been we'll maintained,
and will be much benefited by general
precipitation Of the first week of De-
cember. Stock of all kinds is in good
shape.
Fall cattle movement is ending with
returns better than those of a year
ago, and the fat cattle market has
continued at good level. Market
conditions for lambs have been fav-
orable during the season, and the de-
mand for old ewes this fall consider
ably exceeded the supply. Wool has
averaged somewhat lower than last
year, but this has been offset materi-
ally by the weight and staple of the
well-grown clip. Movement of sheep
to southern sections is about over, and
early lambing is beginning.
Rapid growth has been shown by
the mohair industry, which is reach
ing an important position. The num-
Der Of goats in the state has increased
from 10000 to 10000 in the last
eight years, and around a million
pounds of mohair are now being pro-
duced annually. Plans for improved
methods Of marketing, initiated by
mohair growers who form branch
Of the Arizona Wool Growers associ-
alton, are expected to result in furth-
er development.