Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-11
No known NIOtivs
New Census Questions for Farmer and
Reasons Why They Will Be Asked

( for statisticians to assume that the in
debtedness has been incurred in the
purchase of the farm.
Nativity of the Farmers.
The inquiry concerning the country
in which the farmer was born is also
of great social significance. The re-
plies should show whether or not tne
native American is holding his own IN
agriculture. They will. for the first
time, enable comparisons between the
various nationalities to ascertain
which are the most successful in agri-
culture, as indicated by the size of
their farms and the value of their
crops per acre. This inquiry will have
an important bearing on the immigra-
ton problem. 1t will show what ma
tionalities are going into agriculture
and which of these are the most like
ly to become owners of farms. If this
information is classified for counties.
1t will throw light on the relation be-
tween nationality and social activity
Is it the native American, the German.
the Scandinavian, or farmer of some
other nationality who is most actively
taking up agricultural cooperation or
developing a better rural school
The inquiry for the acreage of crops
TO be harvested in 1910 is an important
innovation. 1t not only enables the
census bureau to get data year later
than usual, but il will permit the
United States department. of agricui-
ture to check up the estimates of its
special agents as to the area of the var
ious crops. Very soon after the feder-
al farm census is taken the winter
wheat harvest will begin and this acre
age data will at once be available for
che> ling the estimates of the total
amount of winter wheat in the harvest
of 1910
The fact that the 1910 schedule calls
for the number and breed OF thorough
bred animals shows the strides Amer
lea is making in improving its stock.
The information will not only be of in
terest to breeders of pure-bred stock
but farmers Will be able to know
whether dairy breeds. such as Jerseys.
or GuernSeys, are making more prog
ress than beef breds, such as Here
fords and Anguses; and also, what
particular dairy or beef breed seems
to be most in favor ii Terent local.
ties The student of 1rm conditions
will also be able to Judge which class
of farmers or what part of the coun-
try, is the most progressive IN this
respect
The new inquiries concerning wheat
are expected to reveal the immense
progress made in this great crop.
WASH-AGRICUL- 2
Fears that the supply will not keen
pace with the demand have agitated
the public from time to time. but in
late years great areas have been added
to the wheat acreage. through the in
PRODUCTION of new varieties OF wheat
which were adapted to soil and climat-
&c conditions. This is particularly true
Of winter wheat, which is TO be listed
separately from common spring. Camp
bells epoch-making efforts n behalf Of
dry farming in connection with tn
Introduction of Durum wheat. promises
to turn the semi-arid region. covering
millions of square miles. into one Of
the most prosperous, sections in the
world. Emmer and spelt varieties are
playing an important role in helping 20
get wheat of great drought and rust
resisting power Therefore II becomes
important to take account of them In
the coming agricultural census.