The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-08
KEEPING OF RECORDS
SUGGESTED
CENSUS DIRECTOR WOULD SIM
PliFY WORK OF THE CENSUS
TAKERS NEXT YEAR.

gcstc6 by United States Census Direct
ar Durand to the farmers all over the
country that the work of securing ac-
curate returns at the coming ansus of
agriculture will be greatly facilita.Cd
If the farmers win keep or provide
some sort Of written record of theic
farm operations during the year 1aes.
This effort to secure the farmers per-
sonal cooperation is but one of the
number Of ways and means chosen by
Director Durand in the effort to secure
an accurate. expeditions and cconom-
ical census concerning population, ag-
ricuiture, manufactures, mines ana
quarries, which are the subjects of i'll
quiry defined in the sensus law.
Notwithstanding the value OF The
population returns for the political
purpose of reapportioning representa-
ton in the congress of the United
States and of the statistical in,arma-
tion derived from an analysis Of the
population details, the census of asri-
culture. OF all the subjects I'm the CEN
srs law. is regarded as of the greatest
Importance.
The twelfth census reported a total
fixed capital of s5,046.939.516 invested
in manufactures. The corresponding
total for agriculture was $40, 514 90, S3S,
or more than four times that of manu-
features. A more conservative est
mate, based upon a different standard
of comparison. also used by the census
bureau, places the investment i'm agri-
culture as more than twice that of
manufactures.
In 1900 the census found 5.73a.657
farms. an increase of 1.175.016 over tn,
total of 1890. The 1890 figures were
555,T34 higher than the number of
farms counted i'm the 1880 census. TAX
ing the increase between 1890 and 1900
and adding that number to the total
reported for 1900. an estimated or ap-
proXimate number of farms existing
at the time of the thirteenth census
may be ascertained. the process of cal
culation being that called "arithmeti-
cal progression" the method chosen
by the majority of statisticians ana
also used by the census bureau.
Therefore. the 1910 total should
reach 5,914,631, or roughly, about
estimated by Chief Statistician Powers
There were 10.433,1ss males and fe.
males over 10 years of age June /, 1900,
engaged in agricultural pursuits
Professor Powers believes the 1910
census will swell that number to the
extent of several millions.
The magnitude of these figures makes
ii evident that the Importance of the
agricultural census hardly can be over
estimated. Hence the solicitude OF
Census Director Durand and Chief
Statistican Powers. in charge of the
census division of agriculture.
Director Durand believes that great
good viii be accomplished by getting
into direct contact and corporation
with the farmers. Some of the instru-
mentalities which will be used by him
and which promise practical results
are the state commissioners and state
boards of agriculture. the state agricns-
tural colleges, the agricultural expert
ment stations, the farmers institutes,
the farmers unions. the patrons If
husbandry and the state oranges: In
fact, all the existing organizations for
the education and betterment of the
farmers. Added to these will be the
daily newspapers. the country press,
and the farmers publications.
1t is estimated that millions of farm
ers will be reached at their homes or
at mutual improvement meetings by
the contemplated method of circulat-
ing preparatory information.
Farm economists and scientists
learned in agricultural problems. ap-
pointed as expert special agents for a
brief term, are now in Washington as
sisting Director Durand and his staff
in the formulation of the agricultural
schedule so that the questions to be
asked by the enumerators shall be
easily comprehended and so draw out
the information ordered by congress
to he ascertained.
At the same time these practical
steps are being taken by the census
bureau. the farmers themselves win
be called upon to help push the sta
tistieal pillow over the country wide
field of farm data. They will be re-
minded 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 inform them that the thirteenth
United States census law requires that
the agricultural census be taken at the
same time, --pril Is. 1910, as the count
of population. The question about farm
operations will relate to the present
calendar year 1909. but on the other
hand, the inquiries regarding farm
equipment are directed toward the
farmers possessions of this kind on
the day and date of the enumeration.
April Is. 1910. The latter division of
the inquiry really amounts to an in
yentory.
The necessity for some written or
permanent record by the farmers
themselves of farm operations Is OBJ
vious and its value in furnishing da,a
more reliable than guesswork is equals.
evident.
In order that the farmers may begin
at once. Director Durand indicates as
follows what operations are tn be re-
corded. although the schedule is i'm in
complete shape:
Each person in charge of a farm
will be asked to state the acreage and
value of his farm: that is. the acreage
and xafue of the land kent and euiti-