The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-12-01
Hen Is a Very Close Second
to the Family Cow.
Value of the Crops for 1905
Is S6,415,OOO,000.
Interesting Statistics Set Forth
in Document.

Washington, Nov. 27.-"Wealth produc-
ton of the farms in the United States
in 1905 reached the highest amount ev-
er attained in this or any other country
-$G.4l5,O 100000
In the first annual report of his third
term, James Wilson, secretary of agri-
culture, presents an array OF figures and
statements representing the products
and profits of the farmers of the country
which, he admits, dreams of wealth
production could hardly equal
Four crops make new high records as
to value-corn, hay, wheat and rice
although in amount of production the
corn crop is the only one that exceeds
previous yields. In every crop the gen.
eral level of production was high and
that of prices still higher.
Besides the enormous yield of wealth,
the secretary estimates that the farms
of the country have increased in value
during the last five years to a present
aggregate of $6,l33 100000.
every sunset during the past five
years." he says, has registered an in
crease of $3,4OO,OOO in the value of the
farms of this country"
This increased value, the secretary
suggests, is invested better than in bank
deposits or even gilt-edged bonds of
corporations.
In dealing with the crop report leak"
Secretary Wilson, after referring to the
gross breach of trust on the part of
one of the employees of the bureau of
statistics" says:
This department acted with vigor and
dispatch when it got evidence of wrong
doing on the part of its own officials,
but we have no evidence of disciplinary
or preventive action at the traders end
of the line, where gamblers interested
neither in the production nor consump-
ton disturb values to the injury of both
and make loud cutlery when creatures of
their own kind corrupt officials to be-
tray confidence for the love of money.
The responsibility for this leak is
shared by every one who, to get money
without work, CANDLES in farm products.
When this form of industry ceases,
these parasites, who tempt the depart
ment officials, will have to work for
their bread
The method of handling crop reports,
he says. has been thoroughly recast dur
ing the year. There has also been de-
cided change in the methods of work
prescribed for field agents; each agent
is now confined to definite group of
statistics with which he becomes thor
oughly familiar by travel each month.
Analysing the principal crops for the
year, the secretary says that corn reach
ed its highest production with 2,7SS,OOO,-
900 bushels, a gain of 100000 over the
next lowest year, 1897 hay is second in
order of value, although cotton held see
ond place during the two preceding
years. The hay crop this year is valued
at S6O5, 100000
Cotton comes third with valuation
of 1915, 100000; wheat, $525 100000; oats
$282,OO0000; potatoes, 100000; bar
ley, $5SyO00,000; tobacco, $50 100000;
dairy products, $665, 100000, an increase
of $54,0O0,000 over last year; sugar cane
and sugar beets, $5OOOO,OOO; rice, $l3.-
S92,OOOOOO.
The farmers hem the secretary saws
is becoming a worthy companion to his
COW. The annual production of eggs is
now score of billions. Poultry products
have climbed to place of more than
half billion dollars in value, so the
farmers hen completes with wheat fol
precedence
There are more horses and with q
larger aggregate value than ever before
notwithstanding, as the secretary says
they were first threatened by the bicy
Gle and later by the suburban trolley
and the automobile. He estimates theil
value at $l,2O0,000,0OO, or nearly as
much as the corn crop and the value
of mules at $252,OOOOOO
Although mich cows are increasing in
number and value, the report states that
other cattle and sheep for several years
have been decreasing. There are H.,
$4,000 mich cows, valued at 1882 ,00O
600. Other cattle are numbered at 49,,
100000, with value of 1862 100000
Swine number Az 21 90, valued at $685.
255,000. in the aggregate the value OF
farm animals has increased few mil
lion dollars within the year and since
the census of 1900 have increased 9 pei
cent.
With this enormous production, The
secretary says, the wants of S3,OOO,O0(
people have been supplied, with a re
naming surplus constituting generou:
contribution to other nations. The ex
ported farm products during the fisca
year ending June 80, 1905, had a value
of 1927, 100000, which was less by SOL,