Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-22

VrT AsHINGToN April 2S-The whole department
wv of agriculture today is humming with activity.
You cannot go into the smallest of its score OF
buildings without catching indefnable feel of large
activities, and the rush of preparation in the air
crop estimates where they are quietly and rapidly tax
ing stock OF the farm and food of the biggest
and richest producer nation earth.
The work Of estimating the crop yields months in
advance trple-baanced organization
covering the country. is fascinating thing watch
at time 1t doubly fascinating for 1t is the
groundwork for all agricultural preparedness Before
the nation apply its mighty productive forces 1t
must know where those forces should be applied. The
first step in preparedness what have got,
and what need.
The bureau OF estimates told that
the winter wheat will bushels this
year. and result of that information steps have
already been taken to make up the shortage. The
bureau make accurate estimate Of the condition
and probable yield of important in the United
States within two weeks OF the day the estimate is
asked for. 1t get in reasonably accurate estimate
by wire within twerty-four hours. 1t furnish
similar estimates. not only crops, but any farm
materials the available supply OF farm labor.
moment.
Efficiency is the result of organization. Few people
have adequate idea OF the huge organization back
OF the monthly crop estimates. In Of the
1850 rural United States there is a
county reporter. who generally has about four
assistants who report to him. making total of over
$4,000 county reporters The reports from these men
to the bureau Washington where they furnish
the basis for set Of estimates
Then there the township reporters, working in
dependently, to every township $4,000 of them
all These also report directly the bureau,
their estimates tabulaed totalled furnishing
the basis for a second estimate that is
the first
Thirdly, there Is in state salaried specialist
who has OF voluntary reporters covering the
state, quite independent of the county township
reporters making reports to him direct This special
list travels about his district and the Of what
he and what his reporters tell him. he prepares
crop estimate for his state. which he sends to the
bureau
of estimates to collate and check up preparing
final estimate. BY means of this system estimates
made accurately that they check UP within or per
cent Of the actual yield. possible to check
the estimates the cotton crop accurately,
because the bureau is ordered report
the actual amount of cotton produced. The crop
estimate cotton has differed less than 1 per cent
from the actual harvested for the
For two 1T differed less 1 per cent
This is good deal closer than individual farmer
estimate in advance the yield from a field
Regular estimates published monthly a long
staple but the bureau Of estimates
can give accurate idea of the national supply Of
everything connected with the farm. Recently 1t
desired how many steam tractors there
in use the United States. The bureau sent out
queries $4,000 selected co-operators and in a few
days that there $4,000 tractors in
in the United States The value Of such service
a nation at is very clear.
The of the bureau is made possible by the
OF national spirit of cooperation and good
will Only the state inspectors and few specialists