Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09
The Taking OF the Census.

The tenth census, the taking Of which be-
gan on the first instant, was provided for by
a law of the forty-ffth congress, with these
simple provisions 100000 are appropri-
ated to defray the expense; supervisors are
appointed for divisions, they appointing emu
merators of subdivisions, who are selected
solely with reference TO their fitness for these
duties, and without reference to political or
party affiliations. Under the old law sub
divisions were limited to 10000 inhabitants,
while by the present law they are limited to
1000. BY the old law the time from June
TO November was allowed for enumera-
ton, while under the present statute it is
required to be done in June, and in cities OF
not more than 10000 inhabitants within the
first fourteen days in June. This is a much
shorter time than has been hitherto allowed
for census work in this country, though it
is quite sufficient for the cities, seeing that
in Great Britain the whole duty is done in
one day.
The officers of the census who call at
dwellings are called enumerators." Each
of them is authorized by law to make the
inquiries and get the answers required by
the law; each Of them will have duly ex-
ecuted commission, and is under oath to do
his duty faithfully, and is subject to penal
ties of fine and imprisonment il he does not.
The answers he gets from heads of families
or business men, or from those who act for
them, are confidential communications, and
are not to be divulged to any one except his
official superiors, and these are under the
same oath and subject TO the same penalties
II they make unauthorized communications
concerning the answers they get in the line
of their duty. The making of false returns
by the enumerators" or supervisors is
also punishable by fine and Imprisonment.
Some inquiries may seem to be those of
mere curiosity; but 1t must be remembered
that if they were not made and answered the
law-making power Of the country would be
wholly at sea with regard to the exercise of
their duties. The fuller the information
gained by the census the better it will be for
the people at large. 1t is Of no consequence
to the census-taker whether township cul.
tivates five or ten thousand acres of wheat,
or whether it produces ten or twenty bushels
to the acre. 1t is Of no consequence to him
whether a man owns dozen, score or
hundred head of cattle, or whether he raises
sheep or not. But it is of consequence to
the people of the township and county, and
to the country at large to have these facts
brought out. 1t is important in a general
way and a local way that the facts should
be truly stated, in order that the wealth and
productiveness of the country, and Of each
particular part of the country, may be prop
erly set forth. Therefore every possible aid
should be given to the enumerators. The
following are some of the questions that will
be asked of every farmer. They will, there.
fore, save themselves much time and annoy
ance by carefully preparing their answers to
these questions in advance of the enumerat-
or's visit
Number OF acres titled land, including falow
and grass In rotation, whether pasture or meadow,
peTUlhutHt ileduOWs, OICHdTus, WOOu
land and forest, other unimproved land value OF
farm and buildings value OF farming implements
and machinery; value OF live stock; cost Of build
ing and repairing in 1879; cost OF fertilizers used
in 1879: amount paid for farm labor In 1879 in
Guiding board; weeks hired labor in 1879, upon
farm and dairy, excluding Homework: estimated
value Of all farm productions sold, consumed or
on hand for 1879; grass land, acres 1875 acres
mown; acres not mown; tons Of hay 1879; horses
Of all ages on hand June /, 1880; working oxen on
hand June /, 1885, cows do. all other cattle do;
calves dropped in 1879 purchased, sold living,
slaughtered, died gallons Of milk sold and sent
to butter and cheese factories in 1879; butter
made on the farm; cheese, do; sheep on hand
June /, 1880; lambs dropped 1879; purchased, sold
living, slaughtered, killed by dogs, died Of dis
ease, died OF stress of weather; heeces, clip Of
1880; weight; swine on hand June l. 1880; poultry
on hand June 1, 1880. exclusive OF spring hatch
ing; eggs produced in 1879 by dozens; average
and bushels Of all kinds of grain produced in
1879; maple sugar, pounds Of produced in 1879;
gallons OF molasses, do; hops, pounds Of. 1879;
Irish potatoes, acres and bushels in 1875 ORCH
ards, acres, number Of bearing trees and bushels
Of apples in 1879; nurseries, acres and value Of
produce sold in 1879; market gardens, value Of
produce sold In 1879; bees, pounds OF honey and
wax in 1879; amount Of wood cut In 1879; value
Of all forest products sold and consumed In 1879.
Hotel and boarding house keepers are required to
give the name, age, color, occupation and place
of BIRTH what state or country of all persons who
may be members or residents in their houses on
the LIST day OF June, 1880.