The Coconino sun., 1926-02-19
MONTHLY REVIEW OF
ARIZONA INDUSTRIES

4 4ICiNlhS q level tdlH0I dUUNC IIldt vi a
year ago, and production Of the states
basic industries for the past year
Showing an increase in value over
1924, Arizona has entered the new
year under favorable conditions and
with a firm foundation for continuing
its era of progress.
! The feature of the month in agri-
cultural activity was the prospect
that cotton ginnings, now nearly over,
would exceed the previous seasons
| crop in spite of decreased acreage.
Ginnings to January 16 were 02,552
bales, with final total of 10000 in
sight, against 1000 last year. Scat
tered lettuce shipments continue from
| the Salt River valley, winter move
ment having exceeded 2500 cars, and
1000 cars are expected from the
| spring crop The increased cotton
ed estimates that the states agricul-
tural production for the year would
equal the 1924 total of $35,000,000.
In the livestock industry conditions
of 10th ranges and stock continue IA
vorable. Outlook for the spring cat
tie movement is. excellent, contracting
having started at higher prices than
year ago, and sheep shearing is be-
coming general. Value of cattle and
sheep on Arizona ranges showed a
material advance during the year,
though the number of cattle declined,
and valuation of the industry's pro-
duction for 1926 is estimated at $14,-
100000, cattle shipped and slaugh-
tered representing $9,000,000; sheep
and lambs shipped and slaughtered,
$S,O00,o00, and wool shipped, $2,40O,
! 000
The states mine production last
year showed a material increase. cop
per output setting a new peace time
record of 725,000,000 pounds, accord
ing to preliminary reports of the u.
S. geological survey. Total value of
Arizona mine production was given
as S114, 1927 900, sof which copper rep
resented S102, 2,298,000; silver, S5,050,-
900; gold, $4,315,000, and lead $685.
900. January's main developments
were preparations for reopening of
the Humbolt snnelter of the Southwest
Metals company the first of Febru-
ary and announcement of a $500,000
improvement program by the Magma
Copper company at Superior.
In the absence of detailed figures,
production of the Arizona lumber
industry for last year is estimated
at $5,000,000, bringing the total value
of production in basic industries to
more than $168, 100000
Banking conditions also showed i'm
provement during 1925. The state
banking departments summary of the
condition of all banks in the state as
of December 81, 1925, gives total de-
posits as $70,210,314, an increase of
S2,513,347 for the year, and total
loans and discounts as $43, ,187 ,075, a
decrease of $2,873,095. Checking
transactions in principal cities, as re-
ported to the Arizona Industrial con-
gress for the Business Review, were
generally below December totals, but
in majority of cases exceeded the
figures for January of last year.
Good progress continued on the va
rious large construction projects un-
der way in the state, including the
SIS 100000 new main line of the
Southern Pacific, the S6,000,000 leach
ing plant of the Inspiration Consoll-
dated Copper company; the $4,000
900 Horse Mesa power dam of the
Salt River Valley Water Users asso-
ciation, etc A new addition to the
large construction expenditures plan
ned for this year was indicated in re-
ports that the Santa Fe railroads
budget includes $6,000,000 for new
improvements to be made on its lines
within the state.
The larger cotton crop than was
expected tends to bear out estimates
that value of Arizona's agricultural
production for the year would ap-
proximate the 1924 total OF $4,000
900, from 100000 acres under culti-
walton.
Winter lettuce shipments from the
Salt River valley are practically over,
aggregating slightly above 2500 cars,
and about 1000 cars are expected
from the spring season. Outlook is
for another large cantaloupe crop
this summer.
Good condition of ranges and stock,
strong fat cattle market, and lndl-
cations of. excellent demand for range
cattle at advanced prices over last
year, give promise Of the best season
in some wears for the livestock indus
try. Contracting of cattle for spring
delivery is becoming active, with pros
poets of decidedly favorable spring
movement.
Improved status of the cattle IN
dustry is borne out by department OF
agriculture estimates as to the num-
Der and value of cattle on Arizona
ranges the first Of the year, showing
material gain in valuation IN the
face of a decrease in numbers. The
estimates report 919 900 head OF cattle
January /, 1926, valued at $31 ,012,00O,
against 1864 900 head January i,
1926, valued at $27,770,000.
Sheep shearing is we'll started, ana
February lambing has begun under
favorable conditions. The wool mar
ket is little changed, with an apparent
tendency to wait for developments IN
the west. Sheep increased in both
number and value during the year, It
being estimated there were 1,211,0 900
head on Arizona ranges January l.,
1926, valued at S10,899,000, against
1,155 900 head January l, 1925, valued
at S9,O09,000
Shipments of cattle to points out
side the state last year amounted to
about 10000 head, with an additional
an nm head slauphtered in the state,