The Coconino sun., 1927-05-20
General Conditions In State Good
But Not Up To First Quarter 1926

1853; all others, 1888; making state
total oc 1881 bales.
Excellent range conditions in prac-
tically every portion of the state, due
to March rains and to heavy snowfall
at the higher attitudes, forecast a
good year for the cattle and sheep in
dustries. Stock is generally in fine
shape, and with ample supplies of
feed available and ranges under
stocked, cattlemen are in a position
to choose their own time to sell. The
bulk Of the feeder stock available for
spring delivery from the southern
counties is reported contracted at
good prices, but sales have been
slower in other sections. Yearlings
are going at a higher price than for
several years past, bringing around
$500 head, and the fat cattle mar
ket is being well maintained.
The sheep industry appears to be
entering the greatest era of prosper
ity it has known for a number of
years. It now represents a total i'm
vestment of approximately SIS, 100000
in the state, and lists something over
100000 head of stock, exclusive of
Indian-owned sheep. Movement of
Arizona lambs for Easter set new
high price marks on the Kansas City
and Omaha markets, and indications
are that lamb and mutton prices will
remain good during the summer.
Sheep are now in the foothills, start
ing the movement to northern summer
ranges.
Wool is still moving rather slowly,
the Boston market in particular be-
ing dull. However, world conditions
are more favorable and spirited bid
ding has been noted this spring in
foreign markets. BY far the greater
part of the Arizona clip is going to
Boston on consignment, less than one
fifth having been sold thus far. There
are now 3,500,000 pounds of wool al
ready shorn, and about 100000
pounds vet to shear. A few contracts
for mohair at around Al cents have
been reported.
The mining industry has kept at
relatively the same level, with produc-
tion unchanged since the recent cur
taiIments made by several of the large
mines and with great amount of
new development under way. Several
more of the smaller properties being
developed have installed milling and
other equipment.
Notwithstanding the dullness which
has characterized the copper market
recently, figures on March shipments,
the last month yet available, indicate
that buying activity has been well
maintained. Domestic shipments dur
ing March, of 78,948 tons, were the
largest since August, and were ex-
ceeded last year only by March and
August, while foreign shipments OF
49,767 tons were the largest in over
a year with the exception of October
and December Average daily pro-
duction Of copper IN that month was
lower than for some time and had the
effect of reducing stocks of refined
copper by 1884 and 'blister" stocks
by 1894 tons.
In new development, activity has
continued especially noticeable in the
Wickenburg, Oatman and Patagonia
districts. 1t was announced during
the month that the old Vulture mine
would be revived by a new company,
and also that operations at the Christ
mas mine would be increased. The
new lead smelter being built at Doug
las by the Copper Queen branch of
the Phelps Dodge corporation is be-
ing rushed to completion, and the
Morenci branch of the same company
is to install additional crushing and
grinding equipment.
Improvement in banking conditions
of the state was shown in the report
of the state banking department COW
ering the condition Of all banks as OF