The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-12-17
ASKS FARMERS TO
AID CENSUS TAKER
Important Letter Issued By The
States Publicity Com.
mission.


publicity bureau. has issued a circular CALI
ing attention to the necessity Of the farm
ers oil the state preparing accurate data for
| the foriheI milg census. and urges upon
the newspapers Of the state the importance
of giving the widest publicity to the sub
| ject. The commissioner believes that the
| agricultural reports, If properly compiled.
will stand at the head Of the column for
every inch of agricultural land in the state,
and the fact that the census figures will
stand as authority for decade will give
Montana a standing which is bound 70
prove invaluable to her advancement.
In his circular. Commissioner Hall says:
IL have received a circular from Di-
rector Durand Of the United States census
bureau. il which he makes an appeal to
all farmers, farmers organizations. COM
missioners Of agriculture. etc.. to take per-
sonal interest in the forthcoming census to
the end that the results will reflect an ac-
curate. practical condition Of farm wealth
rather than an imperfect. misleading state
ment which is sure to result. excepting
more than ordinary care is taken by all
concerned, and particularly by the farmers
themselves 10 their reports to the census
taker who will be along in the spring.
The director wants the farmers to keep
books this year SO that guesswork and de
fective memories will be eliminated so far
as possible, and in order TO &c; the infor'
nation that is wanted before the farmer.
in advance. in the hope OF inspiring theil
! conscientious cooperation. | am requested
to help in such ways as may lie in my
, power as commissioner Of the state bureau
IF agriculture. to give all possible publicit,
to the intentions of Director Durand.
In order that the farmers may begin a
once, Director Durand indicates as follows
. what operations are to be recorded. al
I though the schedule is still incomplete
7 Each person in charge Of farm vii
J be asked to state the acreage and value O
= his farm; that is, the acreage and value O
: the land kept cultivated by him: also tn
4 area Of land in his farm covered wit
woodland; and finally. that which is uti
2 ICED for specified farm purposes.
Each farmer will be asked to give tn
q acreage. quantity produced aud value {
: each crop. including grains. hay, veget;
Z bles, fruits. cotton. tobacco. etc. raise
z on the farm i'll the season of 1909.
y Each farmer will be asked to repo
~. t,.r mi ,,alun Il ali his
- animals, poultry and swarms of bees c
the farm April IS. 1910: also the numb
and value of young animals. such
calves. colts. pigs and of young fowls, SUE
AZ chickens. turkeys. ducks. etc.. raised c
the farm in 1909. He will be furth
asked to state the number and kind of a
finals sold during 1909 and the receip
from such sales. the number purchased al
the amount paid therefore; and also I,
number slaughtered for food and the val
Of such animals.
The Law requires report Of the nuI
/ Der of cows kept for dairy purposes
Iooo and the total estimated amount
- milk produced on the farm: also (
amount OF butter and cheese sold and I
amount received from such sale.
in addition TO inquiry regarding Al
mails. etc.. on the farm April IS. 1910.
explained previously. the census will sc
to ascertain the quantity aud value Of
eggs. honey. wax produced on the farm
1909.
"of the expenditures of the farm.
census schedule Will call for statement
the amount paid farm labor. the amo,
paid for feed for live stock and
amount expended for fertilizers in 1910.
If the farm changes owners or tena
between the crop year. 1909. and the d
. of enumeration. ApriIi5, 1910. ills requ'
ed ,ha, the occupant of the farm in Il
a.. shall secure the above information rel
- ing to the farm for the preceding ye
u 1909 The owner or tenant this y
q should leave his book record with his S
a cessor.
THE census act provides that the ini
nation shall be used only for the Stats
~ al purposes for which it is supplied ;
~ that the information reported on the Al
n cultural schedule will no, be used as
hi sis Of taxation or communicated to
y assessor"