The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-14

to give satisfactory answers. Yet every question asked by the enumer ator will be one to which any farmer who has the interest in his business that he ought to have. should be able to answer readily and with approxi- mate accuracy. The schedule con tains no intricate or puzzIing fn- quiries. nothing of technical nature Two things only are desired: A na- tional inventory of farm wealth on operations during the year 1909.
 The Farm Inventory.
 The practice of stock-taking, or talk ing inventory, at least once each year is general among manufacturers and merchants. It shows the merchant where he is at" It guides has plans for the coming year and, in connec- ton with his accounts, makes it pos- siDie at the close of the year to de- termine whether the business has been conducted at a profit or at loss. A carefully prepared inventory is of even greater value to the average farmer than to the merchant. for the reason that the merchant usually keeps an accurate daily record of alI his busf- ness transactions and hene lis less de- pendent upon an inventory .or his an- nual balance sheet than is the farmer, who ordinarily keeps no books and who commonly invests his surplus income, as fast as 1t accrues, in additional land or equipment.
 It makes little difference whether the annual inventory is taken on Jam uary l. April 15. June l, or some other date. The date decided upon by Con- gress for the census of 1910 is April 15. It marks the beginning of the crop year for the greater part of the coun- try and for this reason Is a logical time to take stock.
 The advantages of always having on hand for ready reference a detailed written statement of one's real and personal property are readily under stood by everyone and will be most keenly appreciated when the census man calls with his long list of ques- tions next April. The value of the census figures of farm wealth depends upon their accuracy. and accuracy can only be secured through the co-opera- ton of the farmers themselvs. In no way can the farmer extend more prac- tical assistance to the Census Bureau. and in no way can he render himself a greater service than by getting out his pencil and note book on the ev- ening of April the fourteenth. next. and making up a statement of his farm property.
 What Inventory Includes.i
 In order that this inventory may meet the census requirements, have obtained from Director Durand an ad- vance statement of the questions to be ask ed concerning farm property. They are as follows:
 1. Total value of farm, with all buildings and Improvements.
 3. Value of all buildings.
 3. Value of all implements and ma- chinery, including tools. wagons. car riages harness. etc., and all ap- pliances and apparatus used in farming operations.
 f. Number and value of domestic animals. classified as follows:
 Cattle:
 A. Born before January l., 1909:
 Cows and heifers kept for milk.
 Cows and heffers not kept for milk
 Steers and bulls kept for work.
 Steers and bulls not kept for work.
 B. Born in 1909:
 Heifers.
 Steers and bulls.
 C. Calves born in 1910.
 Horses:
 All horses born before January 1. 1902.
 Colts born after January ]. 1909.
 All mules born before January 1, 1909.
 Mule colts bor natter January 1. 1909
 Mule colts born after January l. 1910.
 Asses and Burros Gall ages.) Swine. @
 Hogs born before January i, 1910. Pigs born after Ja&uafy 1. 1910. Sheep: Vi
 Ewes born before January 1, 1910.
 Rams and wethers born before Jan uary 1. 1910. .-~-ss----~-------- ~ Lambs born after January 1, 1910.
 Goats and Kids Gall ages.)
 5. Number and value of poultry over three months old: f
 Chickens. s
 Ducks.
 Geese.
 Turkeys.
 Guinea Fowls
 Pigeons.
 6. Number and value of swarms of bees.
 The Census does not ask the value of household goods, nor that of hay, grain, or other farm crops on hand on April 18th. These items should be in- cluded, however. by all desiring a complete inventory of their farm property.
 The value given to the farm should be. as nearly as can be judged, the amount that could be obtained for 1t