Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-13
Cranberry Production to Be Investigated.

tlclan in charge of the agricultural in
| Vestlgatlons or the twelfth census. is
| making an especial effort to insure the
| adequate and complete representation
| OF all branches of agricultural industry
by the statistics which will be collected
under his direction. At the same time
| ne has not considered it advisable 70
place upon the general agricultural
schedule which will be placed in the
hands of the enumerators, yery de-
tailed inquiries concerning crops. the
| production of which is strictly local
lied. Such products will be provided
| for in special schedules, which will be
distributed in the localities ONLY in
which the crops to which they relate
are grown.
Among the Industries to receive
treatment of this character cranberry
culture is one of the most important
The special schedule to be used in this
investigation has been prepared and
will be distributed soon after the first
of January 1900; at which time it is be
lieved that nearly the entire produc-
ton for the year 1899 will have been
marketed.
The main dependence in this investi-
CATION will be upon schedules to be
transmitted and returned by mail, and
therefore it's success will depend very
largely upon the interest manifested by
cranberry growers. If they cooperate
cordially with the census office, the
Importance and extent of their indus
try will be fully represented in the re
port on agriculture, and it's rank
among the special agricultural indus
tries will receive suitable public recog-
milton. If they fail to do so, however
their industry cannot but appear I'M
favorably. as compared with those
which are more fully represented in
the census statistics.
The Inquiries to be made will INCLUDE
questions concerning the ownership Of
each plantation or bog, as it is Of
course desirable to show what proper
ton Of the total acreage is cultivated
by those who own the land. and what
proportion by tenants. An attempt
will be made TO segregate the area in
natural vines from that in planted
vines, and an inquiry concerning the
number Of vines planted during til
last three years has been framed in
order to ascertain the number of yOune
vines. and thus indicate in some degree
the probable future progress Of the in
dustry.
There will also he two inquiries con
corning the quantity produced during
1899, SO as to show separately the pro
duction from natural and from planted
vines.
The net value of his cranberry crop
Of 1899 will be asked Of each produce.
and care will be taken to exclude from
this value the cost Of packing and
marketing. 1t is desired also ID ascer-
tain the amount paid for labor ana for
fertilizers during the crop year, and in
accordance with the desire Of many If
those engaged in the industry. esti-
mates will be requested Of the extent
of any reduction in the crop, below
what may be regarded as the normal
production which may have occurred
during 1899 on account of blight, early
frosts or other causes.
Probably every one understands at
this time that the work of the census
office is in no way connected with tax
alton or the various agencies for as
sessing taxes, and no one will now
hesitate on account of an erroneous i'm
preston to the contrary, TO furnish the
information asked. The census office
also emphasizes the fact that there
will be no disclosure of the private
business of any individual: that agGre-
gates only will be shown in its reports,
and that all information received in the
schedules will. so far as individual re-
ports are concerned. be regarded as
strictly confidential.
The census office has had extensive
correspondence with the officers of the
various cranberry growers assocl-
atoms. with individual producers, and
with others who have manifested an
interest in this branch of agricultural
industry. and has made every effort to
frame its schedules in accordance with
their desires. 1t is to be hoped that
these efforts will be appreciated by
those who may be directly benefited by
them. and that they in turn Will do all
in their power to assist the census
office in conducting its inquiries.
As it is essential. if the industry is to
be completely represented. that the
census Office should have a complete
list of those engaged in it, there Will be
inclosed with each schedule a list OF
those known to the census office as
being engaged in the cranberry culture
within the locality to which the inquiry
is sent and the recipient Will be re-
uuested to furnish to the office the
names Of any persons not On the list.
who are cranberry growers. In this
way il is hoped to secure the names of
all Of those who are not now listed IN
the census office. The office will then
forward schedules to all such persons.
and if they respond promptly and salts
factorily. there can be no reason 70"
the omission Of any important portion
of the total cranberry production.