262 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



The preceding tables are taken from the Surveyor-General's annual 

 report. It is a sufficient commentary on their correctness and the effi- 

 ciency of the system by which they are collected, to state the fact that 

 seventeen counties of the State ai*e not represented in them at all, and 

 others but partially. Of these tables, and of those previously compiled 

 from the same source, and of the system of collecting them, that officer 

 very correctly remarks : 



" An examination of the previous tables, as well as the present, will 

 show that there is a defect in the sj^stem, and that the end sought is not 

 attained. There are no means of securing correct returns, or perhaps 

 any returns, from the County Assessors. A few of these officei*s seem 

 to appreciate the importance of these returns, and the sheets bear evi- 

 dence of careful and intelligent labor; but very many evidently regard 

 their preparation as a useless task, unnecessarily imposed, and appear to 

 think that a few figures, seemingly set down almost at random, will 

 suffice, never reflecting what effect these careless, imperfect statements 

 may have upon a report which is to be the source of all the knowledge 

 we can have of the condition of the State. 



" When a return is incorrect or imperfect, its effect is to depreciate the 

 county from which it comes. When any of those multitudes so constantly 

 pouring into the State desire to select their place of abode, will they 

 choose that county whose average yield per acre seems so very small, 

 whose large fruit crop is valueless, whose vines are barren, or whose 

 cattle give back nothing to the dairyman ? Let it not be supposed that 

 these people know nothing of and care nothing for statistics. Many of 

 them do both understand and appreciate these sources of information, 

 and have been used to consult them; and when they have not done so ' 

 directly, they have obtained advice based upon them. It should be 

 remembered that these tables are compiled and published under authority 

 of the State, and form part of its records ; that, as a part of the Ap- 

 pendix to the Journal of the Senate, they go to other States, and find 

 place in their librai'ies; that there, as the sole accessible and presumedly 

 reliable authorities, they may be consulted, and form the basis of pub- 

 lished articles, which, widely circulated, may influence many minds. 



" Much labor is necessary in the preparation of these tables, and it is 

 with regret that I add that I cannot commend them to public confidence. 

 I have endeavored to amend evident errors, or supplied omissions; have 

 stated average values, when fuller statements from neighboring counties 

 have given me the means of making them without great probable varia- 

 tion from the truth. Without this labor, the tables would be absolutely 

 worthless; with it, they are only imperfect approximations ; and, surely, 

 this is not what the law and the interests of the State demand. The 

 only remedy I have to propose is the passage of an Act making the 

 necessary appropriation, and authorizing the payment of a premium to 

 each County Assessor who shall present a full report at the required 

 time." 



