The Washington times., 1903-09-20
THE CROP NEWS ARMY
NOW HARD At WORK

parts OF the country. Each of these has
several hundred reporters under his
charge.
The Observers make as nearly correct
reports as possible. but in the same
neighborhood are others who are send
Ing in crop reports directly to the Sec
rotary OF Agriculture. In fact. in every
township there is some special corre-
spondent who sends in reports TO the
Government about the condition Of
growing crops.
1t is the most complete system OF veri-
fcation afforded anywhere. The tele-
graph toll paid by the Government Ia
season runs into the hundreds of thou
sands OF dollars.
When all OF these reports come whirI-
ing into the Agricultural Department at
Washington, there is a great deal OF
work for the clerks. Expert crop esti-
matters are here employed. and from the
reports OF each community a COM
posite report is issued. being a correct
and careful compilation OF all the estI-
mates. There is no guesswork here. for
every telegram and every report r COM
pared and balance is struck
Verify the Reports.
For instance. II the Government crop
reporter at Topeka, Kan. wired that
Sumner county. with a usual crop OF
100000 bushels. was going 20 produce
only 5000. 900 bushels this season. and
the man on the ground at Wellington.
the county seat OF Sumner. wired that
the crop would be the same as usual.
the estimate OF the Topeka agent would
be thrown away and not considered. But
If Sumner county was an uncertain
wheat producing center. which II is not.
then the report from Topeka would be
used to the extent OF cutting down the
Wellington mans estimate about 1000,
600 bushels.
Those who have the issuing OF these
reports are in a position TO make
money in speculation. but the moment
a clerk who will take advantage OF this
inside knowledge is found out he is dis
charged. Bribeg ivers and bribe-takers
have sometimes been discovered
A crop expert now connected with the
Board OF Trade OF Chicago tells story
OF his personal experience as a prophet
in the grain fields and attending re-
suits on the markets. He was sent out
in June. 1900, TO investigate a report
that the wheat had suffered. The Gov
ernment report showed high promise.
but grain dealers had received positive
denials-
Mr.. Snow found in-the situation cause
for grave apprehension. and after a
week OF investigation he wired the Chi
cago Board of Trade his belief. That
forenoon wheat in the pit advanced Eve
cents. and 1t continued going upward
until a twenty-two-cent rise had been
reached. when it took a downward move
ment
Crop Charts and Maps.
Each crop reporter has a district, and
this district and its past history are all
outlined on maps and charts in Wash
ington. so you may tell at a glance
what size crops have been raised IN the
wheat belt OF Minnesota or Oklahoma.
or any other region.
The corps are reported by percentage
figures. and If the crop is perfect il
gets the 100 mark, which means that
the average sield Will DC EdlScu- II lLe
county has an average OF twenty or
twenty-five bushels an acre. 100 means
that ii viii reach this average.
The Government report now covers a
broad field, whereas. few years ago
it gave only the probable total output
Now the acreage production and farm
value are all given. and the number OF
handled on the subject in Wash
ington amounts TO almost 5000. 900 an
nually. Cotton Is reported upon seven
times during the season. wheat eight
times. corn and oats each six times. and
other products from two TO eight times.
Cotton IS the most uncertain, wheat
and rye the hardest. Corn is easily
killed. even to the time of ripening.
while wheat. after IL has once reached
a certain stage. cannot be injured ex-
eept by insects
Elaborate precautions are now taker
to preserve secrecy in the final estimates
OF the crop. for this is most valuaols
and important. All reports are re-
reived IN cipher. and one man locked In
a room works out the solution and
makes his report according to the
cipher.