Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-13
growers
ARE OPTIMISTIC
Almond, Walnut and Pecan
Producers Have Equally
Bright Outlook.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Spec1al, MSpaten 10 Inc star. ~
NEW YORK, July 1S.-If base ball
follows the nag. SO does the bag q
peanuts. That is adequately shown
by the Roadway the American peanut
has made in foreign markets: Growers
| in the Southeast are looking forward
to higher prices and a most profitable
season.
Producers of pecans in the South
and Southwest and of almonds ana
walnuts on the Pacific Slope are
equally optimistic. The cause for this
| is seen in the spreading of demand ana
! the fact that the carryovers from
the last crops are almost negligible.
The reduction in acreage planted 70
peanuts In Georgia, North Carohna
and Virginia has been marked ana
growers feel this can be counted on
| to assure higher prices. The reduction
| in acreage in Georgia will probably
be between 20 and Is per cent from
that planted in 1925. Last year Geor-
gia planted 27s,09O acres of peanuts,
which Welded 10000 tons. netting
growers approximately 81, 1000 900. THIS
| includes the sums received Tor the
hay cured from peanut vines.
Acreage Cut 20 Per Cent.
Government authorities estimate
that the acreage reduction IN virginia
and North Carolina will be 1uIiy ~
per cent from the 1925 total. Higner
Yields per acre are anticipated al
through the South. althoQgn cary
cold weather delayed growth OF the
vines. Georgia State authorities esti-
mate the crop this year will approx.
mate GO. 600 tons, but that It Will
Weld growers about the same sum
thew received last year. The average
price in 1925 was $3.50 ton.
The hay item is by no means TO be
despised. One ton of hay is grown 20
about each three acres planted 10
neanuts. and last year the average
ma rket value OF this fodder was $50
ton and the return to Georgia grow
ers exceeded $1.S60.000. The prices
which obtained in 1925 were not sat
isfactory owing to competition from
oriental producers. This fact and the
determination of farmers to plant DIE
lscotton acreages In 1926 explain the
reduction in peanut acreage this year
China still is in the throes of politi.
cal unrest and there is little Likelihood
| that its export of nuts will approach
the tonnage shipped in past years.
The p9anut carryover in this country
was extremely small.
Demand Increasing Steadily.
Demand for nuts is increasing
steadily, especially from the confec-
tionery trade. The package candies
which have scored the largest sales IN
the last year have used tremendous
quantities of nuts, while the grocery
trade now can be counted on to alb
sOrb a definite, amount.
Heavy demand has been built up
for branded peanut products, but the
walnut producers in California are
preparing to put their John Han
cock" on the nuts themselves. The
California Walnut Growers Associa-
ton has ordered 125 machines, which
win brand each individual nut sold
by the association this year. This is
a new departure in the industry and
is designed to advertise the trade
mark of the association as in the case
of oranges, grapefruit and other prod
ucts. It also is counted on to prevent
foreign growers and marketing
agencies from initiating the Califor-
MIA brands. The association marketed
80 per cent of California's 30,000-ton
crop last year. This years yield is
expected to be decidedly smaller.
The carryover of shelled walnuts
is extremely light and the prospects
are for light crop abroad, This fore
casts higher prices at the opening OF
the new season, and some growers
expect premiums to be paid for first
deliveries. Almond stocks also are
lighter than usual. The pecan crop
In Texas is expected to be both better
and larger than In 1925.