The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-06
Agricultural Statistics and the Census.

n recenI aSnlnStOn dlSpatch says:
General Francis A. Walker, Superin-
tendent Of Census, with view to
securing greater accuracy and uniform
ity in the agricultural statistics to be
compiled for the tenth census, has lust
issued a circular setting forth the aims
and wishes OF the bureau with regard
to the method of arranging such
statistics. The agricultural schedule
annexed to the act of 1850,
which is also made a part of the
act of March 3, 1879, providing
for the tenth census, requires report
of the chief productions Of agriculture
during the year ended June l."
There is, however, no distinct agricul-
tural year which ends on the list of
June, and there is reason to believe
that the statistics Of agriculture from
1850 to 1870 in regard to many of the
principal products embraced portions
OF two different crops, inasmuch as the
enumeration was protracted three,
four, and even five months. BY the
act approved March 3, 1879, it is pro-
vidtd that the tenth census shall be
taken and completed during the month
of June, 1880. This provision greatly
reduces the liability to error which has
been noted.
As the enumeration begins on the LIST
of June and closes on or before the
3Oth, all the crops which are gathered
once a year will fall pretty clearly on
one side or the other of the dividing
line. Thus, the cotton crop reported in
the census will be that of 1879, gather
ed in the fall of that year, while the
wool clip or "wool CROP will be that of
the spring of 1880, except in portions of
California and Texas, where both fall
and spring clip are secured. For GER
tain agricultural products, however,
there is no harvest in the usual sense of
that term, but the product is gathered
week by week or day by day as it ma
lures. Milk, butter, cheese and meat
belong to this class.
In view of the requirements of the law
and the great importance of accurate
statistical information relative to agri-
culture, it is deemed highly desirable
that farmers should prepare themselves
in advance to give the information with
promptness and accuracy. 1t is urgent
ly recommended, therefore, that agri-
cultural journals and the officers of
agricultural societies and clubs give
publicity to the announcement, and
that all persons engaged in agricul-
ture who shall receive this circu-
lar, or see it in the public prints,
make notes from time to time of the
quantities and values of their several
crops gathered, and the number of
ooros of land ,,lontoI -, o,.J,, +h,<
their statements, when made to the
enumerators, may be of the highest
possible value. To remove any doubts
that may arise concerning the crops to
be returned in the census, the follow
ing list presents the several crops
specifically mentioned in the agricul-
tural schedule, arranged as they fall in
to the calendar year 1879, or that of
1880, or are to be returned for the
twelve months beginning June l, 1879,
and closing May 81, 1886. OF the crop
of the calendar year of 1879: Wheat,
corn, rye, oats, barley, buck
wheat, rice, tobacco, cotton, pota-
toes, peas and beans; orchards,
vineyards, small fruits, hay, clover
seed, grass-seed, hops, hemp, flax, flax
seed, sugar-cane and sorghum, acres
and quantity; bees, number of hives,
pounds Of honey and wax. Of the crop
of the calendar year 1880: Wool, num-
Der of f1eeces and pounds; maple-sugar,
pounds; maple-molasses, gallons. Of
the yield of the twelve months ending
May 81: Butter, cheese and milk sold,
quantity; animals slaughtered, value;
forest products and home manufactures,
value. 1t is believed that by calling
the attention of those interested to the
subject the efforts of the bureau will be
ornatlv facilit nj Ell