The Coconino sun., 1927-03-18
February Business
Quiet i'm Arizona

0AAOU 1AE LII AAUAtd1
A more quiet tone was apparent in
business lines in February, although
very fair level was maintained in
most, considering the between sea-
sons" period. Conditions reported
over the state are inclined to vary
rather widely in different sections and
different lines, but while trade in the
agricultural communities has felt the
influence of the reduced crop return
of last season the general situation
has been held stable by operations of
other industries, the large amount OF
new construction under way, and the
excellent winter tourist season.
Opening Of spring lettuce move
ment has been the principal new activ-
ity in agriculture, with indications
that shipments from the Salt River
valley will exceed the winter seasons
total of $500 cars. Cotton ginning is
in the final cleanup, and alfalfa,
grains and other growing crops have
made fine progress.
General rains over the state during
the month were of benefit to ranges,
which are in excellent shape over
practically the entire grazing area.
Stock is likewise in excellent condi-
ton, and contracting of cattle for
spring has started at prices above
those Of year ago, which were we'll
above the preceding year. Lamb mar
kets have advanced, but the wool
market has been rather slow.
There has been no change in the
mining industry, with the exception of
a curtailment of production at the In.
spiration and Ray mines. Activity in
development Of new properties con-
tinues very brisk.
Banking transactions IN principal
cites Of the state for February showed
the customary decline from January
figures, but in majority Of cases
were above those for February, 1926.
Beginning of spring lettuce move
ment and excellent progress of alfalfa,
grains and other growing crops have
been centers Of interest in agricul-
tural pursuits. A little cotton is still
being ginned in the Yuma and Salt
River valleys, with state production
standing at about 10000 bales, but
this will end in another week or two.
The lettuce crop is reported in very
good condition and it is expected shap-
merits from the Salt River Valley this
month and next viii exceed the win
ter movement of $500 cars, with IN
dications they will be considerably
higher if weather is favorable. Let
gIce now coming in is of fine quality,
and improvement in prices IS looked
for as the month goes on.
Rains Of the asst month interrupted
fs fat,o1a fiorc t0 com nxfpnt h,f1
caused no damage, and on the Other
hand added greatly to water supplies
for irrigation, the Roosevelt reservoir
receiving heavy run-off.
The outlook for the new season con-
tinues to find an encouraging interest
in revival of dairying and diversified
ton Of crops. Grain acreage is ma
terially increased over last year, and
alfalfa acreage to a lesser degree,
with reduction in cotton acreage and
greater proportion of Pima long
staple. Cantaloupe acreage this sum-
mer probably will be about the same
as last.
Good rains over the entire state, &C.
companied by snow at higher eleva-
tions, have assured ample supplies of
feed and water for livestock. Range
conditions are everywhere reported
excellent, and stock has come through
the winter in fine shape.
Contracting Of cattle for spring de-
| livery has opened with prices from 81
to 81 a head higher than year ago
and prospects for spring movement
are favorable The fat cattle market
has maintained good level, and OPP
eraticns of the Arizona-California
! Cattlemen's Cooperative Marketing
association continue to show good re-
suits. Last year 328,429 head Of cat
| tie were shipped outside the state, IN
addition to slaughterings of 89,211
head and an intra-state movement of
lI37, ,036.
The past thirty days have seen
quite extensive shearing over the win
| ter sheep ranges, and shearing will
/ continue for another month, the de-
| lay having been occasioned BY Febru-
ary rains. Sheep are in first class
condition and lambing is progressing
! nicely. Range conditions are reported
never better.
| Lamb markets have shown q
| steady gain in prices over a month
ago, end the latter part of March will
see a considerable number Of Arizona
! lambs on the eastern market. The
/ wool market has been rather slow and
| draggy, with very few sales being
made on account of the prices Of
/ fered, which average six to eiglat
ccists lower than last spring. Mohair
/ shearing will start very shortly, but 1t
is too eariv to forecast the market.