The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1909-09-16
FARMERS TO KEEP RECORDS
ca,sus Director Durand's Appeal for
Accurate Farm Data.

Accurate Farm Data.
Washington, Sept. lit VIII be
suogssted by U. s. Census Director
nnrand to the farmers all over the
country that the work of securing ac-
curate returns at the coming census OF
agriculture will be greatly facilitated
4 the farmers will keep or provide
come sort of written record of their
farm operations during the year. i9o9.
This effort to secure the farmers per-
sonal cooperation is but one OF a num-
her of ways and means chosen by Di-
rector Durand in the effort to secure
an accurate, expeditions and econom-
zeal census concerning population, agrl-
culture. manufactures, mines ana quar-
RES. which are the subjects OF inquiry
defined in the census law.
Notwithstanding the value OF the
population RETURNS for the political
nurpose of reapportioning representa-
ron in the congress of the United
States .and of the statistical informa-
tion derived from an analysis of the
incubation details, the census OF agrl-
culture, of all the subjects in the CEN
aus law, is regarded as of the greatest
Importance.
In 1900 the census found 5, 739, 6b7
farms. an increase of 1,175,016 over
the total for 1890. The 1890 figures
were 555, 734 higher than the number
of farms counted in the 1880 census.
Taking the increase between 1890 and
1900 and adding that number to the
total reported for 1900, an estimated
or approximate number of farms exist
ing at the time of the thirteenth cen
sus may be- ascertained; the process OF
calculation being that called "arith-
metical progression" the method chos-
en- by the majority of statisticians and
also used by the census bureau.
Therefore the 1910 total should reach
1914, 673, or roughly, about 5000, 900
farms, which is the number estimated
by Chief Statistician Powers. There
were 10, 433, 1873 males and females
over 10 years of age June /, 1900, en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits. Prof.
Powers believes the 1910 census will
swell that number to the extent of sew
eral millions.
In order that the farmers may begin
at once, Director Durand indicates as
follows, what operations are to be re-
corded, although the schedule is still
in incomplete shape:
Each person in charge of a farm
will be asked to state the acreage and
value of his farm; that is, the acreage
and value of the land kept and Guilt
waited by him; also the area of LAND
in his farm covered with woodland
and finally, that which is utilized foi
specified farm purposes.
Each farmer will be asked to give
the acreage, quantity produced ano
value of each crop, including grains,
hay, vegetables, fruits, cotton, tobac.
co, etc., raised on the farm in the sea.
son of 1909.
Each farmer will be asked to re
port the number and value of all do
nestle animals, poultry, and swarmf
Of bees on the farm April Is, 1910
also the number and value of young
animals, such as calves, colts, lambs
pigs; and of young fowls, such al
chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc., raised
on the farm in 1909. He will be fur
Their asked to state the number and kline
of animals sold during 1909 and the re-
ceIpts for such sales, the number pur
chased and the amount paid therefor
and also the number slaughtered 70,
food and the value of such animals.
The law requires report of the
number of cows kept for dairy purposes
In 1903, and the total estimated amount
OF milk produced on the farm: also
the amount of butter and cheese sole
and the amount received from sucf
sale. The census will seek to ascer
tain the quantity and value of all eggs
honey and wax produced on the farm
in 1909.
VI the expenditures of the farm
the census schedule will call for state
ment of the amount paid farm labor
the amount paid for feed for live stock
ana the amount expended for fertiliz
ers in 1910.
The Information reported on the ag
ricuitural schedule will not be used a,
basis of taxation or communicated t.
any assessor.
Director Durand wants the farmer,
10 Keep books this year so that guess
work and recollections will be elimin
ated as far as possible.