Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-06
INFORMATION THAT IS WANTED
Preliminary Suggestions Relative to
Questions to Be Aske'
ALL STATEMENTS CONF.
Cannot Be Used as Basis Of Ia
or for Other Purpose.
GREAT GROWTH OF BUSHES.
IL IL Expected that Next Census VIII
show that Nearly six Million
Farms Are Being Operated
in United states.

in United STATES
WASHINGTON. Sept. Sit will be sug-
, pested by United States Census Director
. Durand 10 the farmers all over the coun-
trv that the work of securing accurate re-
turns at the coming census of agriculture
will be greatly facilitated II the farmers
will keep or provide some sort of written
/ record OF their farm operations during the
year 1909 This effort to secure the farm
ers personal cooperation is but one OF
number Of ways and means chosen by
| Director Durand I'm the effort to secure an
accurate, expeditions and economical cen
sus concerning population, agriculture
manufactures. mines and quarries which
/ ore the subjects Of inquiry defined in the
census law.
l. Notwithstanding the value OF the popu-
iiation returns for the political purpose OF
reapportioning representation in the con-
sress OF the United States and Of the
statistical information derived from an
analysis Of the population details, the cen
sus of agriculture, of all the subjects in
the census law, is regarded as Of the great
est Importance.
The twelfth census reported total fixed
capital of $5,O46, 9S9 SIG invested in manufac-
lures The corresponding total for agricul-
ture was $40 O01, sSS, or more than four
times that OF manufactures more con-
servatlve estimate, based upon different
standard of comparisons, also used by the
census bureau places the investment In
agriculture as more than twice that of
manufactures.
Nearly six Million Farms.
In 1900 the census found 5,7Ss,65 farms, an
increase of 1175,Oi6 over the total for 1890
The 1890 figures were SOB, ,TA higher than the
number of farms counted in the 1880 CEN
sus Taking the increase between 1880 and
1900, and adding that number to the total
reported for 1900, an estimated or approx
mate number of farms existing at the time
Of the thirteenth census may be ascer-
tanned; the process of calculation being
that called .arithmetfcal progression" the
method chosen by q majority of statisti-
clans and also used by the census bureau.
Therefore the 1910 total should reach
5,9l4,67S, or roughly about 100000 farms,
which is the number estimated by Chief
Statlsticlan Powers There were 1o.4SS, 1888
males and females over 10 years of age
June /, 1900. engaged In agricultural pur-
suits Prof. Powers believes the 1910 CEN
sus will swell that number to the extent
of several millions.
The magnitude OF these figures makes 1t
cultural census hardly can be over
estimated Hence the solicitude of Census
Director Durand and Chief Staustcian
Powers in charge of the census division
of agriculture.
Director Durand believes that great good
viii be accomplished by getting into direct
contact and cooperation with the farmers.
Some of the instrumentalities which will
be used by him and which promise prac-
tical results are, the state commissioners
and state boards of Agriculture. the state
agricultural colleges, the agricultural ex-
pertinent stations the Farmers institutes,
the Farmers unions the patrons Of hus-
bandry and the state oranges; in fact, all
the existing organizations for the educa-
ton and betterment of the farmers. Added
TO these will be the daily newspapers. the
country press and the farmers publica-
tons
II is estimated that millions OF farmers
will be reached at their homes or at their
mutual improvement meetings by the con-
templated method of circulating prepara-
tory information.
work ON Farm Schedules.
Farm economists and scientists learned
in agricultural problems. appointed as ex-
pert special agents for a brief term. are
now In Washington assisting Director
Durand and his staff In the formulation OF
the agricultural schedule so that the ques-
tions to be asked by the enumerators shall
be easily comprehended and so draw out
the information ordered by congress to be
ascertained.
At the same time these practical steps
are being taken by the census bureau, the
farmers themselves will be called upon to
help push the statistical plow over the
country wide field OF farm data. They will
be reminded that an accurate and practical
census is the only one worth while.
In addition to the direct appeal to the
farmers, Census Director Durand will In
form them that the thirteenth United
census law requires that the agricultural
census be taken at the same time. April
l6 1910. as the count OF population. The
questions about farm operations viii re-
late TO " present calendar year. 1903. but,
on the other hand. the inquiries regarding
farm equipment are directed toward the
farmers possessions OF this kind the
day and date Of the enumeration. April Is
1910. The latter division Of the inquiry
really amounts 70 an inventory.
The necessity for some written or perma-
nent record by the farmers themselves OF
farm operations is obvious and its value
In furnishing data more reliable than
guesswork is equally evident.
Preliminary sUEEestiOns.
In order that the farmers may begin
at once, Director Durand indicates as fol-
lows what operations are 70 be recorded,
although the schedule is stnl In incom.
plete shape:
n Each person In charge OF a farm will
be asked to state the acreage and value
OF his farm; that is the acreage and
value OF the land kept and cultivated by
him; also the area OF land In his farm
covered with woodland; and finally, tha,
which is utilized for specified farm pur-
poses.
Each farmer Will be asked to give the
acreage. quality produced and value OF
Z each crop including grains hay. vsget-