Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-06-15
YEAR BOOK READY
FOR DISTRIBUTION
Il Is Known as the Govern
ment's BEST Seller"
100000 COPIES OUT APRIL 30

100000 COPIES OUT APRIL 80
Demand Is Brisk For New Editions.
Each Congressman Gets Nine Hun
dred, and They Are Notable as Catch
ers Of the Farmer Vote-A Sort of
Agricultural Bible.
The governments 'best seller" the
agricultural year book. is on its way to
the public. Half a million copies will
be ready for distribution about April
80.
The agricultural year book is known
rs the best seller among the govern
ment employees who handle public
documents. There was q noted re-
port Of the immigration commission, a
senate document that was believed
and was not-as spicy as the latest and
most popular and best selling novel.
1t went like hot cakes, which are pro-
verbally as swift in execution as slow
in di%gestibility. But that publication
is nigh forgotten, and the year book
stands firm Farmers, merchants, pro
fessional men, mechanics. artisans, ID
borers and clergymen in every state in
the Union are now anticipating its is.
sue and are writing to their represen-
tatives to send copies.
Demand Is Brisk.
They are also writing to the agricul-
tural department for copies. when
is it coming out?" is, in the agricultural
department, a question that is proven
bal Of the college annual in the fresh
water ATTITUDES. But Of the 100000
copies the agricultural department re-
tains but 10000 for it's W use. They
are distributed to its agents and re-
porters in various fields. The other
copies-7O,O OO-go to members Of con-
gress.
Each congressman gets a quota" Of
about 800 to Ibis credit" in the folding
room at the capitol. The quota is none
too large for him. The year book is
just the thing to catch the ballot Of the
king known as the American farmer.
The farmer fixes 1t. The agricultural
year book Is not merely a compilation
Of figures showing that the department
is composed Of a certain number Of
bureaus, showing that the department
Is composed of a certain number Of
divisions. having done in the last
twelve months a certain percentage of
vague, undescribed work more than in
any previous twelve months. 1t is a
real and comparatively lively nara
tive of things that men have done with
earth and tools and that other men can
do. 1t is a story Of how men have
prospered and made life more pleas
urable and useful and socially lei
surely.
Like a Visit.
1t is just like a visit from Secretary
Wilson and the smart fellows with
him. They drop in of a gentle spring
night to talk crops and best methods
of farming and living. And living is a
large part of life-its greatest problem.
That's why the agricultural year
book retains its position. 1t is a sort
of agricultural Bible. It's sent out and
read out and worn out, and another
years takes it place, and nobody re-
marks its popularity. When copies
: for free distribution are gone other
copies may be had from the super1n-
tendent of documents for small price.
But the agricultural departments
publications are all about the most
popular of the government. The de.
partment distributes 100000 docu.
ments every year now, and most OF
them are farmers bulletins. They are
commentaries on the year book. Each
of them, written by a person who has
made the subject treated his-or her
for many Of them are written by wO
men-special study, carries a message
of cheer and intelligence.
They are narratives Of past accom-
pl1shments or the farm and Of future
hopes. One tells how to manage the
place, another how to care for thu
crop Of wheat or cotton or corn, ye
another will tell the farmers wife how
to make her kitchen garden thrive, an(
the farmers daughter how to do bes
by old mulley, and the farmers sol
how to make the hogs bigger and bet
ter than ever or how to train that fin
young colt.
The Cookbook.
Perhaps the most popular Of recen'
farmers bulletins was one that got tt
be known as the cookbook. Before
a great many had been sent mem
bers Of congress were so importunet
for them that a big edition was ruI
out of the government printing Office
= and given a place in the folding room
It is notable that most of them were
sent to farmers wives who did thei
own cooking.
Cotton Raising In Siam.
Japanese cotton mill interests ar
ombarking on cotton raising in Siam