The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-01-12
WEDNESDAY, JAN. -, 1910.
A FARM CENSUS.

UusVs O@N0~o
Montana farmers and stockmeu who
do not "keep books" in their business
trans actions, may find it difficult to
give correct and satisfactory answers
to some of the questions that will be
propounded by the census man next
April. Officials of the federal census
bureau will make a special effort to
seeure q reliable exhibit of data re-
lating to American farms, and request
that the matter receive the co.opera.
ton of farmers and stockmen through.
out the country.
The census returns of ten years ago
record the operation Of s, 739, 657 farms
in the United States, giving support
or employment to 10, 433, 1853 persons
over ten years of age. It is believed
the census of this year will show over
six million farms in the country, with
q corresponding increase In the mum.
Der of occupants and owners.
In order to prepare farmers and
stockmen for the Questions that will
be asked BY theI nsu enumerators,
Director Dursnd the fol.
lowing outline of the Information that
is desired by his bureau:
Each person in charge of q farm
will be asked to state the acreage and
value of his farm; that is, the acreage
and value of the land kept and cult.
waited by him; also the area of land
in his farm covered with woodland;
and finally, that which is utilized for
specified farm purposes.
Each farmer1.will be asked to give
the acreage, Quantity produced and
value of each:crop. including grains,
hay, vegetables, I%fruits, cotton, ETC.,
raised on .theNfarm In the eason of
1909.
Eachlfarmer will be asked to report
the number and value of all domestic
animals sndjpoultry, on the farm on
April Is, 1910; also the number and
value of young 0animals, such as
calves, colts, lambs, pigs; and of
young fowls, such asi chickens, tur-
keys, ducks, etc., raised on the farm
in 1909. He Twill be further asked to
state the number and kind of animals
sold during{ 1909 and the receipts from
such sales, the number purchased and
the amount. paid therefor; and also
the number slaughtered for food and
the valuelof,such animals.
The law requires q report of the
number of cows kept for dairy pur.
poses in 1909, and the total estim ated
AMOUNT of milk produced or the farm;
also the amount:of butter and cheese
sold and thessamount received from
such sale.
In addition to the inquiry regarding
animals, etc., or the farm April Is,
1910, as explained previously, the
census will:useek to ascertain the
quantity and value of all eggs, honey
and wax produced on the farm in 1909.
OF the expenditures of the farm, the
census schedule will call for a state.
ment of the)amount paid farm labor;
the amount paid for feed OF live stock;
and the smounttlexpended for fertili-
zers in 1909.
II the farmt changes owner or ten.
ants between the crop year, 1909, and
the date of enumer alton, April Is,
1910, it is requested that the occupant
of the farm in 1910 shall. secure the
above inform alton relating to the
preceding year, 1909. The owner or
tenant this year should leave his book
record with his successor.
The census act provides that infor.
nation shall be used only for the sta.
tistical purposes for which it is sup
piled. mo publication shall be made
by the census Office whereby the data
furnished by any particular person
a be identified, nor shall the direct.
or of the census permit any other than
the sworn employees of the census of.
fee to examine the individual re.
ports"
Furthermore, the information re.
ported on the agricultural schedle will
not be used as a basis of taxation or
communicated to any assessor.
The act also states the fines or terms
of imprisonment or both in cases
of violation of the secrecy imposed
upon supervisors, en~umerstors, spe.
cial agents, or other employees. II
provides q penalty for false answers
or refusal to answer.
THE PROFITS OF FARMING.