The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-10-05

The special reports Of the Department Of Ag-
tive value, and are of great service 10 the pro-
ducer. Formerly the spectators in grain and
produce collected statistics through their agents
i'll different parts OF the country. ana used them
to suit their own purposes. Now the Depart
ment OF Agriculture collects statistics of the
growing crops and other information upon
which prices are based. and this information
is given TO the public through the medium Of
these special reports. 1t is. Of course. of the
first Importance that this information should be
accurate and experience has shown that the
facts and figures of the Agricultural Depart
ment may be fully relied upon. In some sug-
gcstions on the subject of Statistics in Agricul-
turc, presented at the recent meeting in Mon
treal. of the American Association for the Al
yancement of Science, the Statistician of the
Agricultural Department said
The Wheat harvest of 1881 in the United states
furnishes striking illustration of the effect Of
statistics upon prices. Buyers were urging
moderate VIEWS: the National and State reports
showed crop of less than 100, 900 900 bushels
instead of 800 .0O0.OO0: the growers advanced
their rate refusing to sacrifice the } to 10 cents
difference per bushel. The value to growers of
this information, at the moderate rate of cents
per bushe. on 2j0, 000.000 bushels sold. would
reach S10.000,000. 1t is probable that the pub
LEGATION OF approximately accurately crop stats
TICS. during the past year of comparative failure
in the production of the United States. saved to
the producers of cotton. Wheat. corn. and other
products at least $4,000. 900. which otherwise.
would have gone into the pockets of the dealer
and middleman. poSsbly without a dollar being
saved to the consumer The control of money!
the facility for combination on the part of the
buyer, places in his hands great advantage
over the isolated grower. who must be protect
ed, If at all. by the government which claims
his allegiance, his tribute, his service and. if
necessary hrs life. Hence arises the necessity
for State and National collection Of statistics Of
agricu lture.
Special Report No. 49, just received. makes a
favorable showing as to the corn crop general
ly, but in the New England States there has
been very sharp decline. except in Vermont
which is due TO drouth. The decline in Maine
Is from 81 to -. OF wheat we are told that the
Surplus cannot much exceed 300 900 900 bush
els, and that while growers may suffer loss BY
holding for higher prices. they are still more
likely to lose by accepting prices founded on Il
belief that 60 per cent. of the crop can be cN-
ported, when scarcely more than 81 can we'll be
spared. The average condition of potatoes mas
fallen from l0l i'll August to 81 in September
The decline has been heaviest in New England
and New ork. \ crop Of not less than l50.-
100000 bushels is indicated from the present
outlook. The apple crop win be very small
one for an seven year" In New York, Michi-
gan, and Maine Il serious reduction from the
August returns is reported. In New IIamp-
shire and other Eastern States the prospect is
some of the newer states. especially Kansas
and Nebraska. and some of the Southern
States. none of which affect the general mar
ket. The reports, some of which we have thus
summarized, are also given in tabuIatcd form.