The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-07-11
NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURE.
Census Bureau Gives Out Some In
terestinK StatisticH.

Census Bureau Gives Out Some In
terestinE Statistics.
Advance bulletins from the census
bureau give some very interesting sta
tistics respecting. the advancement Of
agriculture in North Dakota since the
advent of statehood, from which some
deductions are here given.
Stock raising forms very important
part of the agriculture of North Dako-
ia. The decade of greatest develop
1nent was. presumably, that from 1870
to 1850, as during that period the num-
bers of all kinds of domestic animals
In Dakota Territory increased from ten
to thirty times. Over three times as
many dairy COWS were reported in 1900
In North Dakota as were reported by
Dakota Territory in 1880. The number
reported in 1900 shows an increase Of
42.2 per cent for the last decade, while
the gain in the number of other neat
cattle during the same time was 174.s
per cent. The number of horses re-
ported in 1900 was nearly three times
as great as in 1890: but a decrease of
1919 per cent occurred in the number of
mules. Both sheep and swine show
large increases over the numbers re-
Of sheep being 1903 per cent, and that
for swine, 1900 per cent. A COMPARE
son of the poultry report for 1900 with
that for 1890 shows large increases for
all kinds of fowls, notwithstanding that
in 1900 no fowls under three months old
were reported. while in 1890 no such
limitation was made.
The value Of animal products in 1899
was $10,211.677, or 1879 per cent of the
value of all farm products. and 1879
per cent of the gross farm income. OF
the above amount. 536 per cent repre-
sented the value of animals sold and
slaughtered on farms; 27.9 per cent.
that of dairy products; 1875 per cent
that of poultry and eggs.
The value of animals sold and ami
mails slaughtered on farms is 101 per
cent of the gross farm income. OF all
farms reporting live stock. 1851, or
43.2 per cent, report sales Of live ami
mails, the average receipts being $21O.34
per farm. OF all farms reporting live
stock, 25,5s2, or 59.5 per cent, report
animals slaughtered, the average value
per farm being $61.51.
The production of milk in 1899 was
30. 279, 16S gallons greater than in 1889, a
gain of 1873 per cent: during the same
time the gain in the number of dairy
cows was only 422 per cent. This diff
ference is probably due in great part
to a more strict definition of the term
"dairy cows in the twelfth census, by
which many animals formerly included
in this class. were excluded; but it
may also indicate that better care is
given them. Notwithstanding the es-
tablishment in the state, during the
last ten years, of numerous creameries
and cheese factories, the quantity Of
butter made on farms has increased
CO.'S per cent. although decrease Of
46.0 per cent is shown in the quantity
OF cheese made on farms.
OF the $2.S53.133 given as the value of
all dairy produce. $1.9S9,S9 or 69.7 per
cent, represents the value of such prod
ucts consumed on farms. and SS63.243.
or 1913 per cent, the amount received
from sales. OF the latter amounts,
s545.362 was received from the sale Of
s.551.so5 pounds of butter; s29S.741. from
3.17.971 gallons of milk; s14296, from
23O95 gallons of cream; and S4,S44 from
46762 pounds of cheese.
The total value of the products Of
the poultry industry for 1899 was ST.
ST7.541, or which amount SOS per cent
represents the value Of eggs produced,
and 43.2 per cent that of fowls raised.
In 1899, 743S,400 dozens of eggs We're
produced-more than twice as many as
ten years before.
Nearly six times as much wool was
reported in 1900 as in 1890. Fleeces,
however, decreased in average weight
from 81 pounds in 1890 to 6.5 pounds in
1900. Wool growing is confined chiefly
to the southern half of the state. Stark
county reporting the greatest number
Of sheep, while Billings. Logan and
Mercer counties show the gretest per-
centages of increase since 1890.