The Coconino sun., 1926-07-23
GENERAL BUSINESS
SITUATION is GOOD

Business conditions have malntaln-
ed an unusually good level for the
first month of summer, and though
seasonal influences have been felt
most communities show evidence of
improvement over the corresponding
period Of last year. A summary of
reports from manufacturing, distri-
buting and retail lines indicates that
business of the first half of 1926 reg
istered another general advance.
Opening. Of the cantaloupe season
with assurance of record movement
has been the main new development
in agricultural activities. Shipments
from the Salt River valley up to and
including July 5, were ,055 cars,
with an estimated total of at least
4,500, compared to $500 last year.
Cotton acreage in the state shows a
small increase over last season, ac-
cording to the first government re-
port, which places it at 10000 acres.
Grain harvest has been favorable and
the excellent condition of alfalfa gives
prospects of increased hay produc-
ton. pnf 3
Fine range conditions have been
maintained over grazing areas of the
state and codition of both cattle and
sheep is very good. With spring cat
tie movement over, interest is turning
to the fall shipping season.
The mining situation has been prac-
tically unchanged. Production is go
ing ahead at the normal rate of the
past year, and development of new
properties has remained active.
Principal developments in the large
construction program under way in
the state have been assurance that
construction of the Coolidge dam at
San Carlos, to irrigate 100000 acres
in the Florence-Casa Grande valley,
will be started by fall, about 100000
having been made available for be-
ginning the work, and reports that
the Southern Pacific's $15,000,O00
main line through the Florence
Casa Grande, Salt River and Lower
Gila valleys will be in operation IN
October. Steady progress has been
made on the several other large pro-
jects in the state.
Checking transactions in principal
cities, as reported to the Arizona In
dustrial Congress, exceeded those for
May and for June of last year in a
majority of cases.
Livestock and ranges have continu-
ed in an unusually good condition,
with promise of good supplies of feed
throughout the summer and prospects
that even with less than normal sum-
mer precipitation ample feed will be
available for the winter season. The
remarkable improvement that has
taken place in range conditions dur
ing the past year is best shown by
the June livestock report of the de-
partment of agriculture, which gave
the condition of Arizona ranges as
1O5 per cent of normal, compared to
64 per cent last year. Condition OF
cattle was estimated at 90 per cent,
against SO, and condition of sheep at
90 per cent, against 80.
Though prices failed to maintain
the level they reached early in the
season, the spring cattle movement
showed considerable Improvement
over last year. Indications are for
continued improvement in the indus
try, though it is too early to guage
the outlook for fall movement accu-
rately. The fat cattle market has
been little changed. The years, calf
crop apparently will be well above
the average.
Sheep conditions have been very
favorable, with an excellent lamb
crop and ample feed. Sheep have re-
turned to summer ranges in fine
shane and a large proportion of
lambs will move as summer lat.
There have been no new marketing
developments of Importance.