New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-20
PATENT OFFICE REPORT. PART
Agricultural Statistics.


The value OF agricultural statistics depends on
tbeir general accuracy and being reliable for al bu-
siness purposes. Wrong Information as ~ the
quantity OF grain, tobacco, and oiher crops annu'
ally grow d. and misstatemens In reference TO their
market value, are calculated TO mslead the un-
yary-temptiug thousands TO invest aud sink their
capital In uncalled Tor and disastrous operations-
Farmers have omplained that the Patent Once
. Henorts overestimated the quantity of tODaccO.
breadstufis, and other staples, TO degree which
inurousy affected the merketPrice OF tue products
OF her industry.
In the absence OF a regular census, there is no
way 10 determine, with any approach to accuracy
the amount OF gram and provisions annually pro
duced and it is thought better to make no est
mates at all 80 far the official returns are deiec
tive than to iabricate statistics by mere guessing
abe injury that results from this IS not confined %
the farming interests, bat all dealers III aad con
sumers Of agricultural products are equally liable
10 sustain pecuDiary loss by the public credit gwen
10 erroneous statements emanatlng irom depart
mept of the Government Whoever attempts 20
furnish statistics should bear IN mind that Ia the
same deeree IN which true Information is valuable,
false information is injurious to the community
Certainly the great farming interest OF the country
has a night 10 exemption from harm, 1t government
can do II no good
Ia the last Patent Office Report the wheat crop
of Michigan Is estimated st 100000 bushels
The census Of that State for ls49 gives the amount
40
more than 100 per cent. Instead Of placing the
value Of the estimated TO- 600 bushels at some
thing like the worth OF this crop ~ the producer,
every bushe is set down at 81 Is, giving an ag
eregate OF sll, 500 900. Seventy cents quite
as much as the farmers Of Michigan realized for
their wheat in 1915; and by correcting both the
quantity ard price, the figures are reduced to
s. 3l7 SOP or to nearly one fourth Of the sum said
II have been obtained.
Hitherto no very definite objects appear to have
been sought in collecting statistical information
pertaining to rural affairs. In consequence OF this
lack OF purpose, the means employed have been in.
adequate, except TO accumulate mass OF figures
for the truth OF whose statements no one was re-
spoIslbe. Statistics, to be worthy OF the name,
must be founded on facts entitled 10 confidence
What evidence is there on which one may presume
10 name the tuus of hay or bushels Of grain grown
in the State OF New-York 10 the year lsi9 There
il none whatever, nor has there been since the
Etate census Of ls45. Why, then waste time and
paper IN writing aud printing crude guesses In an
Official document, 10 instead the public Instead
Of repe stiDg operation which IA believed 20 be
worse than useless, an humble attempt viii be
made in this obt pteF TO point out few defects in
the agricultural statistics OF the country and sug
gest such Improvements as are most desirable
aud practicable.
II the question were ash ed Of what crop grown
In the United States do the people export tho
largest amount In value the snver would be- cot
ports OF the country. 1t an American statesman
meTcbRut, or farmer, were to AJAX, how many acres
are planted in thIs crop the ans ser must be:
eanhot say, Tor IN 10 cotton growing State has
CENSUS ever been taken either by the Federal Gov.
emmett or by its Legislature, which gave the
number OF acres devoted 10 this staple.
Here Is u most extraordinary omission, and one
which has largely contributed 20 the unwise ex-
hssstlon OF millions OF acres Of the beat cotton
lands In the world
Ii the question were asked, how many acres az g
planted Ia tobacco lobody eau tell; TOR neither
CobereAs Dor any State Government has deemed
me matter VI Sufficient importance 70 ascertain the
.see NoOm,ed States census has ever given To-
f0in Auon A. 10 the number Of acres sown IN wheat
De esney' oats, hemp, Asx peas, or planted IN
S'n' P''s'oes' beans, o. any other boed crop.
zoe que'hons were ssked, hox May sheep
were soofn IN le40 u Yield the s. soy 1 pounds
OF Woo aud bow many lambs were not COUNTED as
"shtep 10 The ls,Sll ,37i enumerated, no one can
enswer ibe heeces clipped nave never been
counted Dor has any census given the number Of
eows miiked N the United States d, far a, r.lia
BE statistics are concerned all our isrm,pz opsra.
tiois are Conducted N midnight osrknes,' Moth.
ke o. much Leej,d SIS the annual record oftrust
uoTiby itels. 'xiehcug over al the STAT. setting
tori the proaBs i've power and ssa. a hots A. nd
aIc tabor, ~ieD tmYioytd Q, the oest adysnrsse
~ ,ooB lhis shsR ~ doae wbs slser by state L..