Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-02

i
restriction of shipments, are among
the recommendations made to Cali
fornia agriculture in the 1888 agri-
cultural outlook, published by the
agricultural extension service Of
the college of agriculture, Univer-
sity of California.
Agriculture is in a particularly
difficult situation, the report states,
because prices of farm products
have fallen much more than prices
of most all other commodities. In
1892. comparisons show. farm prices
averaged 81 per cent less than the
1929 average, whereas during
the same period prices of COM
modities that farmers buy declined
only 28 per cent.
BY eliminating Improbable acre
age. and restricting shipments in
many instances, California farm
ers would gain additional advan-
tage over the slight increase in do
mestic demand for the farm prod
ucts of the state, anticipated be-
fore the end of the 1888 crop mar
keting season, it is pointed out. No
improvement in foreign demand
this year is seen. unless interna-
tional trade barriers are lowered
or money exchange rates of for
eign countries improve before Ship
ment of California farm products
begins.
Factors Point To Recovery
Certain factors" states the re-
port, are now operating toward
an early recovery of business acti-
vity. The price level is declining
at slower rate than during recent
years. Part of necessary adjust
ments, both in fixed and operating
costs, have already been made.
Many industries have placed them
selves in position to produce at
lower cost per unit. Credit is
plentiful and interest rates low for
those in a position to avail them
selves of it. Replacement of COM
modities used by consumers and
producers is becoming more and
more necessary.
On the other hand, a number
OF unfaVorable factors still remain
to retard business recovery. Vol
ume OF both private and govern
mental debts remains unadjusted.
Extreme nationalistic measures are
restricting international trade.
Monetary problems have arisen
from abandonment of the gold
standard by many countries. Num-
Der of unemployed in the United
States and abroad is still very
large"
Brief summaries of forecasts for
some of the 81 products covered
follow:
Alfalfa
California alfalfa prices for 1893
are likely to average about the
same as for 1892 unless yields are
unusually high or unusually low
during the coming season. No in
dication of change in such price
influencing factors as acreage to
De cut for hay, and increase in
number of cows, is seen. Prices for
feed concentrates competing with
alfalfa, particularly flaxseed and
cottonSeed, are expected to rise
Slightly because of short supplies.
Asparagus
Postponement of additional
paintings for several years, and i'm
mediate blowing out of bearing
acreage declining in productivity,
would aid materially in preventing
olSastrously low prices to aspara-
gus growers. Benefits would also
accrue from an industry program
TO limit the size o. the canned pack.
and regulate shipments of fresh
asparagus. Production is increas-
Because of the soil building
qualities of beans, and since their
price outlook is no worse than
other crops Imperial Valley ranch
ers who intend to grow any sum
mer cultivated crops might well
consider small acreages of black
eye beans according to Frank Bey-
schlag, local farm advisor.
Beef Cattle
4 Upswing in cycle of beef cattle
numbers is still under way, and
1888 prices are likely TO average as
| low or lower than were received last
year. Slaughter supplies of both
cattle and calves are expected To
be somewhat larger in 1888 than
in 1882. No material improvement
IN demand for meats over that pre-
vailing last year is to be seen
From the longer time point OF
view, improvement in beef cattle
prices, arising out of gradual in
crease in purchasing power, is apt
to be retarded by increasing sup
plies.
Cotton
In absence Of marked improve.
ment in business activity and en-
| ployment throughout the world
1888 cotton prices are expected tc
be low unless the American croI
is very short. Estimated world sup
ply Of American cotton for 1882
1888 is now 25,700,000 bales, only
100000 bales less than the RECORD
supply of 1931-1932, and 2,200 .O0C
bales greater than the large sup.
ply of 1926-l927. Carryover Of Am
erican cotton at the beginning oi
the 1888 marketing season may
prove to be nearly equal to worlc
consumption of American cottor
during 1932-ls33.
Dairy