Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-20
DIRECTOR DURAND ISSUES IN
sTRucTioNs AS TO WHAT REC
oRps ARE TO BE KEPT IN OR
DER TO ASSIST BUREAU.
ENUMERATORS TO
CALL NEXT APRIL
FARMERS AND sTockMEN ARE
REQUESTED TO COOPERATE
WITH CENSUS BUREAU IN FUR
NlsHING ACCURATE DATA.

Washington, d. c., NOV. lS.-An OUT
line for the American farmers of the
method of keeping written record OF
their farm operations and equipment
to insure an accurate farm census next
year has been issued by U. s. Census
Director E. Dana Durand. 1t was pre-
pared by Prof. LIE Grand Powers, U. S.
Census Chief Statistician for Agricul
ture 1t states
1.-THE advantages of always having
on hand for ready reference detailed
written statement of ones farm prop
erty are readily understood by every
one and will be most keenly appreciate
ed when the census enumerator calls
with his list Of questions next April.
The value of the census figures of
farm wealth depends upon their &C
curacy, and accuracy can only be Sc
cured through the cooperation of the
farmers themselves. In no way can the
farmer extend more practical assist
ance to the census bureau, and in no
way can he render himself greater
service than by getting out his pencil
and note book on or before the even
ing of April the fourteenth next and
making up a statement of his farm
property. The questions to be asked
concerning farm property are as fol-
lows:
i. Total value Of farm, with all
buildings and improvements.
2. Value of buildings.
9. Value of all improvements and
machinery, including tools, wagons,
carriages, harnesses, etc. and all ap-
pliances and apparatus used in farm
ing operations.
4. Number and value of domestic
animals, classified as follows:
Cattle:
A. Born before January 1, 1909:
Cows and heifers kept for milk
Cows and heifers not kept for milk.
Steers and bulls kept for work.
Steers and bulls not kept for work.
B. Born in 1909.
Heifers.
Steers and bulls.
G. Calves born in 1910.
Horses:
All horses born before Jan. /, 1909.
Colts born after January 1, 1909.
Colts born after January /, 1910.
Mules:
All mules born before Jan. 1909.
Mule colts born after Jan. 1, 1909.
Mule colts born after Jan. !, 1910.
Asses and burros (all ages.)
Swine:
Hogs born before Jan. /, 1910.
Pigs born after Jan. 1, 1910.
Sheep:
Ewes born before Jan. 1, 1910.
Rams and wethers born before Jan
uary 1, 1910.
Lambs born after Jan. 1, 1910.
Goats and kids (all ages.)
5. Number and value Of poultry
over 8 months old:
Chickens.
Ducks
Geese
Turkeys.
Guinea Fowls.
Pigeons.
6. Number and value of swarms of
bees.
1.-The census will not ask the value
Of household goods nor that Of hay,
grain or farm crops on hand on April
fifteenth. These items should be in.
cluded, however, by all desiring a com.
plete inventory Of their farm property
1.-The value given to the farm should
be, as nearly as can be judged, the
amount that could be obtained for it
if offered for sale under normal condi.
ton. Current market prices should be
carefully considered in estimating the
value Of live stock
although the census merely re
uuires statement of total value Of all
implements and machinery, it is be
lieved that classification Of these
items under the following four heads
will be found valuable:
/. Vehicles. This class comprises
automobiles, wagons, carriages and
sleighs, and equipment used in con
nection with them, as harnesses
blankets, whips, etc
2. Heavy farm implements: com
prising all implements and machinery
operated by any other than hand pow
er, as plows, harrows, rollers, reapers
mowers, hay-loaders, feed grinders
ETC., etc.
8. Hand machinery and tools: in
Guiding carpenters tools, hoes. shov
els, scythes, forks, grindstones, fan
Ining-mills, etc.
| A. Miscellaneous articles, including
all such minor equipment as kettles
pals, barrels, baskets. ladders, ropes
chains, etc, not included in the frs
three classes.
MANY farmers greatly underesti
mate the total value of their posses
sions of this character when consider
ing them in the aggregate, and it il
only by preparing an itemized list az
suggested above, that an accurate est
mate of their worth can be made. Tht
value assigned this class of propert!
in the inventory should be the esti
mated amount it would bring at public
auction under favorable conditions.
mo special blanks or forms are nee