Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-04
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

The library OF the bureau OF Staustlc:
is said to be one Of the most complete
statistical libraries in the world. There
are about 10000 volumes in the library
Periodicals to the number of $50. are re
ceived during the year.
Charles Dougherty of the bureau Of
statistics points out the following inter
esting facts about the library. He say:
there were no statistics kept in the
United States on agricultural matters un,
til 1868 and that the library goes bach
that far. The United States is practically
the pioneer in this work. with the en-
ception of the French government, which
published government statistics as early
as 1915. and the British government II
appears that the British statistics or
wheat and other crops go back officially
as far as 1884. but that previous to this
date Sir John Lawes perfected n system
by which he secured wheat estimates as
early as 1856. so that the British rec
ords are tolerably complete from that
date.
The question of keeping government
records and estimates of the records OF
agricultural productions was a matter
which was thought upon for good many
years by men of all nations before it was
finally carried into effect. says Mr..
Dougherty. The utility of the crop re-
porting system Is so recognized nova
days that practically all the countries
of the world have taken it up, and con-
tinually month by month from the other
great nations Of the world the library
in the bureau of statistics Is being added
to. until today 1t stands as one of the
most complete collections of Its kind in
the world. 1t Is, however, exceeded by
one or two libraries Of similar nature
in other capitals. notably by the statisti-
cal library In London and the one in
Paris.
The library contains all the foreign sta
tiStics In things agricultural in an I'M
broken file from the earliest times they
were kept in their respective countries
until the present time. so that II at any
time person wanted to know the wheat
production of any country for any year
the bureau could give the information.
All sorts of agricultural statistics are on
file, statistics on things and products I'M
usual as well as usual For instance,
should any one desire to know how many
roses were used in Bulgaria during 1904
in the manufacture of the world-famous
perfume, the altar of roses, all he would
have to do would be to write to the
library and make inquiry. and In due time
the information would be given him.
Besides it's 10000 volumes and $50 pc
riodicals the library receives the annual
reports of boards OF trade the world over
and the annual manuals of all the state
boards of agriculture. besides the COM
plete statistical reports of all foreign
countries.
The foreign reports are translated into
English as fast as received. almost all
the countries giving with their reports a
French key But one periodical is re-
ceived from China. Mr.. Dougherty states.
with which no key is furnished, so the
Chinese volume goes on the shelf more as
an ornament than anything else. Here is
a chance for some deserving student of
the oriental nation. who is staying in
washington this summer 10 apply at the
Department of Agriculture for the job
OF translating Chinese statistics into Eng
lsh. Nobody in the bureau can do it
The statistical library is utilized by the
Whole Department of Agriculture. 1t is
stated that farmers do not avail them
selves of the opportunity offered. probably
caring more about the present condition
OF their own crops than about the condi-
tons of crops that are history Boards of
trade, exporters and other interests are
the principal ones who use the library re-
sources. and from them many thousands
OF letters are received yearly by the au-
thortties in the library.
The crop reporting board of the bureau
OF crop estimates, in the report given out
wednesday, after being locked up all
Gay IN the rooms of the bureau as told
in these columns last week, estimates
from the reports of the correspondents
and agents of the bureau that the area
OF cotton in cultivation this year in the
United States is about 36.96OOOO acres,
revised estimate of acreage in cultivation
year ago, being a decrease of 49s 600
acres. or 1.3 per cent
The condition of the growing crop"
conuhues the report. was 1915 per cent
OF normal condition. as compared with
ai.S May p. 1914: SIS June %, 1913, and
So.f. the average condition for the past
ten years, June %
The report is signed by Leon N. Esta-
brook. chief of the bureau. chairman.
L
Holmes, w. l. Pryor and F. N. GRAY.
and is approved by Secretary D. F Hous-
ton.
NAL husbandry division of the bureau OF
animal industry. left Wednesday for
Front Royal, Va. on work in connection
with the bureau.
G. V. Flatfelter of the animal hus-
bandry division. is spending the week
end in York. Pa. Accompanying him is
r u. Ashbrook of the same department
F. R. Marshall of the animal husbandrv
division is expected back next week
from an extended trip through the west
where he is inspecting the cooperative
sheep breeding work of the state of
Wyoming.
l. L. Heller is also expected to return
from a field trip made in connection
with wool studies being conducted by the
division Of animal husbandry.
Miss Barnett the LIBRARIAN Of the De-
partment Of Agriculture. is out of the
city this week.
DR.. John R. Mohler. assistant chief Of
the bureau of animal industry, Ia on an
extended trip through the west making
Investigations of different animal dis.
eases.
Bernard Erickson Of the insecticide
and fungfcide board has gone to Chicago
on his annual leave.
recent graduate OF the George Wash
ington University School of Dentistry
was Jasper n. Roberts of the insecticide
and funsicide board.
Chemist c. NJ Smith is in PHILADELPHIA
this week on leave. Chemist H. A. Whit
man has gone on a fishing trip to East
Auburn. Me.
and fungicide board took his family to
their summer home near Warrenton, Va
last week.
Kenneth ]. Matheson of the bureau OF
animal industry is away on leave. Victor
sehorn left Thursday on trip TO his
old home at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. e. W.
Morse is also away on leave.
Joseph O'Hare left today for month s
vacation. While away he intends to
start a postgraduate course in bac-
teriology In Columbia University.
Frank H. Hamack Of the animal hus-
bandry division left today for his an.
trip tn MiDpeapo1j S