The Coconino sun., 1926-11-12
BUSINESS In ARIZONA
SHOWS IMPROVEMENT

SATISFACTORY COtIOn ludIheI Is oh iu-
verse influence in the agricultural
sections, the outlook for winter is
generally good, with the mining In
dustry active, the livestock industry
showing some further improvement,
much new development and construc-
tion under way, and indications of an
excellent winter tourist season.
The states cotton crop is now es-
timated at 112 900 bales, against pre-
vious forecasts of 105,00 and total
production of $4,000 last year Gin
nings to November l were $4,000.
Demand for alfalfa has improved ma
terially, and what should prove a rec
ord winter lettuce movement will
start the end of this month
Fall cattle movement is going
along well, with practically all steers
available contracted. Prices show
some improvement over last year.
Lamb prices have advanced in recent
weeks and the wool market has been
firm. Sheep are on their way TO
southern feeding grounds in excel
lent condition, and the outlook for
winter feed on cattle ranges is inn
proved from month ago.
The principal new development in
mining was announcement that the
Phelps Dodge corporation will build
lead smelling and refining plant,
the first in Arizona, at Douglas, and
Iead-zinc concentrator at Bisbee.
Development and construction work
remained active throughout the state.
The month contained several fea-
lures of Importance in the big con-
struction program that has been un-
der way here in the last few years.
Chief among them were the compile
ton Of the Southern Pacific's $16,-
100000 new main line through the
Florence-Casa Grande, Salt River and
Lower Gila valleys, and the calling of
bids for construction of the Coolidge
Dam Of the $5,500,600 San Carlos
project to irrigate 100000 acres IN
the Florence-Casa Grande valley, bids
to close November 10. Contract for
power line from Hayden to the
lamsite, in connection with the pro-
ject, has already been let.
Other developments in this field in
cluded voting of S3,000,000 bond is
sue to irrigate 10000 acres in the
Roosevelt irrigation district west of
Phoenix and announcement by the
Santa Fe that it will build a 81 ,000,-
900 extension through the Beardsley-
Aqua F'ria district of $4,000 acres
that will be irrigated by. the Frog
Tanks (Lake Pleasantly dam now un-
der construction. The S6,000,000
teaching plant Of the Inspiration
Copper company is in operation, and
completion of the Sd 100000 Horse
Mesa power dam Of the Salt River
Valley Water Users association is
expected next spring.
Checking transactions in principal
cities of the state, as reported to the
Arizona Industrial Congress, were
generally above September figures,
and compared well with those for
October of 1925.
Prospects Of a larger cotton crop
than previously estimated more ac-
Give movement Of alfalfa, and favor
able progress Of the large winter let
suce crop have been the main devel-
opments Of the advancing agricul-
.ural season.
The lettuce crop is coming along
well, and shipments from the Salt
River Valley will begin the latter
part of November. Acreage there is
estimated at more than 5000, while
$500 acres are now reported in the
Yuma section On this basis winter
lettuce shipments from the state
should break all records. Several
hundred cars of winter vegetables al
so will move.
Alfalfa shipments have increased
materially during the past month, de-
mand showing decided improvement
Grapefruit movement is well under
way and orange movement starting.
Grain sorghums are being harvested.
Weather has been favorable for wheat
seeding. and acreage planted prob
ably will be much larger than last
season.
Fall cattle movement is under way
Under generally favorable conditions.
Practically all steers available for
fall delivery are now reported con-
tracted, buyers having been active
during the past month, and the de-
nand for calves has been exceptional
Range cattle prices have been above
last fall, while the fat cattle market
has ben steady at about the same
level as for several months.
Range conditions have shown inn
provement under favorable weather,
and the outlook for winter feed IS
satisfactory in all but a few sections.
The lessened number of cattle on ran
ges is another factor in assuring am
pie feed supplies.
The situation in the sheep industry
also shows some improvement over a
year ago. Though range conditions
were slightly better last season, there
was ample feed to maintain flocks
until movement to southern wintering
grounds started the latter part of the
month. The last few weeks witnessed
rising prices for lambs, and growers
who held off contracting until late
realized prices equal to those Of last
year. Home demand for old ewes and
feeder lambs exceeded the supply.
The wool market continued firm
throughout the month, without any
particular rise. Arizona wool is
worth from 81 to $110 per clean
pound in Boston World markets are
considered on a substantial footing
and no serious fluctuations are ex-
pected. either UP or down.
Checking transactions in principal
cities of the state in October showed
general increases over the previous
month, and compared favorably with
those for the corresponding month