The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-09-24
STORY OF THE FARM.
WILL FIGURE IN
THE NEXT CENSUS.
Special Enumerators Are to Be EN-
ployed to Obtain the Statistics;
Figures as to Tenancy; Informal
ton About Values of Land and
Buildings; Livestock Also to Be
Considered; Study of the Crops.

| Washington, ID. c., Sept. 2O.-Forty
:, five thousand enumerators out of the
estimated grand total of $4,000, will be
engaged April Is next in gathering the
required information concerning agricul-
ture for the thirteenth decennial United
States census. Director Durand pur-
poses making every effort to secure
progressive farmers and crop reporters
for these places. His action is based
Statistician LeGrand Powers and the
advisory board of special agents COM
posed of professors of economics and
farm experts who have been assist
ing in the formulation of the schedule
of inquiries concerning farm operations
and equipment. 1t is believed that the
selection of this class of men, already
| familiar with statistical methods of
securing data and reporting it in COM
prehensive form, will add greatly to
the efficiency of the census and to the
scientific value of the information OBJ
tanned. Director Durand does not antic-
ipate any difficulty in procuring emu
merators of this kind as there are
in every state of the Union, hundreds
of crop reporters acting for the de-
partment of agriculture, representatives
of state boards of agriculture, etc.
The agricultural schedule which is
to be placed in the hands of these
enumerators is nearing completion by
the census bureau. The advisory board
who are acquainted with practical agri-
culture, its varying conditions, and who
are active in their respective states
in assisting the farmers to improve
their farm methods, have been most
earnest and no effort is being spared
to make the schedule as simple as
possible, and yet secure the greatest
amount of important information con-
corning agriculture.
Will Secure Accurate Statistics.
BY means of the census schedule an
effort will be made to secure an ac-
curate statement of the total number
of acres of land in the farms of the
country, by states and counties; also
the improved area, number and size
of farms. On account of the growing
Importance of tenancy in many parts
of the country, considerable informa-
ton will be secured as to whether
farms are operated by owners, tenants
or hired managers. Information about
the value of farm, buildings, and other
permanent improvements; and of the
farm equipment, both machinery, i'm
plements and live stock, will be Sc
cured.
An important part of the schedule
will be that enabling Il study of the
crops and crop products of 1909. The
enumerators will ask about areas, guam
titles produced, and value of crops, in
the case of all the principal crops
grown in all parts of the United
States. This inquiry covers grains and
seeds, hay and forage crops; and all
important special crops such as fruits,
nuts and vegetables; cotton, tobacco,
rice, hemp, potatoes, broom corn, etc.
BY products, like flax straw for tow
and Irvine, and such manufactured
products as wines, cider and vinegar,
dried fruits, sugar, syrup, etc., will not
be overlooked by the questions in the
! scedule.
Live Stock Inquiries.
The inquiries concerning live stock
and stock products, also include cattle,
work animals, sheep and goats, swine,
poultry and bees. The facts as to the
o,,1 Of live StnpR If
the time of the enumeration are to be
secured in some detail, taking into
consideration ages, sex and use OF ami.
mails. Furthermore, data will be So
cured relating to the number and
value of each species of animal raised,
purchased and sold, and the quantity
and value of animal products, such as
milk, cream, butter and cheese, wool,
eggs, honey and wax.
A few special questions of genera
nature may be included to secure
valuable related information. Among
these is one which will be made con-
corning the area and character of
woodland in farms.
There will be but one schedule for
agriculture. There may be small
schedule for the enumeration OF ami
mails in cities. This will be carried
by the city enumerators and it will
cover horses, mich cows, chickens, etc.,
housed in barns, stables, ETC., in the
cities. No attempt will be made to
get the area of city gardens or vacant
lot cultivation.
ST. Paul, Sept. q c. G. Schultz,
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton today made public circular
designating the twenty five high schools
which are to offer normal course of
training to pupils wishing to fit them
selves for places as teachers in the
rural schools, and also naming the ten
schools named as agricultural high
schools.
! The school which will offer the nor
NAL course are those of Ada, Albert
Lea, Alexandria, Browns Valley, Buff
falo, Dodge Center, Fairmont, Fergus
Falls, Glencoe, Hastings, Hector, Hen
derson, Hinckley, Jackson, Little Falls
Mcintosh, Morris, Ortonville, Redwing
Podwood Falls St paul Thiaf River