The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-10
FARMER AND THE CENSUS.
Some Points for Farmers to Prepare
for the Enumerator.

Some Points for Farmers to Prepare
for the Enumerator.
The thirteenth general census of
the United States will be taken next
year, beginning April Is. About
5000 enumerators will then engage
in the task of counting every man,
woman and child in the country,
and of ascertaining for each individ-
ual the color, sex, conjugal relation,
place of birth of parents, number of
years in the United States, citizen
ship, occupation, etc.
In addition Congress has provid-
ed for the collection of detailed in
formation concerning the three prin-
cipal productive industries of the
country-agricultu manufactures
and mines and quarries. These
three branches of industry represent
so large a proportion of the total
wealth of the country that their pro-
gress from decade to decade is an
accurate index of the development
of the country as a whole.
Notwithstanding the value of the
census Of population for the purpose
Of reapportioning representation in
Congress, and the value of the man
ufacturing statistics, the census of
agriculture is regarded as of the
greatest Importance to the country.
The census of 1900 showed that
the United States is still primarily
an agricultural country. The total
value of farm property was nearly
twenty and one-half billion dollars,
a sum more than twice that of the
aggregate capital invested in manu-
factures.
Population can always be estimat-
ed with q fair degree of accuracy.
Manufacturing is so highly organized
that it is comparatively easy to get
information as to it's capital and pro-
ducts. But agriculture is the great
unorganized industry with respect to
book records of it's operations.
More than 100000 farmers are
conducting operations on separate
farms at the present time, Their
products are marketed at all seasons
of the year, under all sorts of condi-
IlOLS, anu dI q W WluOly val luG luh6S
of prices. New lands, new crops, new
methods and new processes are con-
stantly modifying conditions and af-
fecting the net result to an unknown
extent.
Therefore, while the Department
of Agriculture keeps in close touch
with every phase of farm life, so
vast is the industry and so intangible
are many of the elements and condi-
tions affecting farm operations that
the crop and other estimates of the
department would become practical
ly valueless if not regularly revised
in the light of the census returns.
The farm census is taken primar-
lily for the benefit of the farmer, but
it is of interest to all classes, and
especially just now. To what extent
the very marked increase during re-
cent years in the cost of living, and
especially in the cost of certain
kinds of farm produce, is due to
shortage in production, is question
of vital moment.
A complete and accurate census
of farm areas, products and values
will furnish the data which, in con-
nection with the revised population
figures, should throw much light on
the great question of our national
food supply.
1t lies with the farmer to pro-
vide this information, and the census
department is making a special ap-
peal to him to get ready for the emu
merators. By preparing an accurate
account of his farm operations dur
ing the year ending Dec. 81, 1909,
and by making an inventory on Apr.
Is, 1910, of all his farm possessions,