STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 



Operating. They are divided into regular and special lists ot 

 reporters. The former report monthly on general field crops ; 

 the latter report on special commercial crops, for example, 

 Maine potatoes, or apples. 



Estimates on any subject are used to give a quick approxima- 

 tion to something very extensive. Crop estimates must be made 

 quickly, because their chief usefulness results from their being 

 timely. Reports are made to the Bureau as of the first of each 

 month and the Bureau's estimates are released usually about the 

 eighth. The estimates cover some 60 crops and the farm ani- 

 mals, and prices received by farmers. 



County, township and special lists of reporters are maintained 

 by the bureau. Crop specialists are employed for cotton, rice 

 and tobacco. It is hoped that two fruit specialists may soon be 

 employed for the fruit crops. 



Field agents, one in each of the main states, or in a group of 

 smaller states, are employed to travel and see the crops and 

 men who know them best. Reports by mail are made to them. 

 They study, and try out methods for getting more adequate ana 

 more reliable data. 



For important commercial crops large numbers of growers 

 report their acreage and yields and averages are figured from 

 these returns. About 2,500 potato growers reported in Maine 

 this year. In Aroostook county, twenty-five per cent of all 

 growers reported. Thus a very close estimate on acreage and 

 yield can be made. The degree of accuracy obtained is interest- 

 ing. Final 191 5 estimates were made by the Bureau, as below: 

 Cotton, the estimate came within one-half of one per cent of 

 what the crop ginned out. Rice, the estimate came within one 

 per cent of total reported by rice mills. Tobacco, the estimate 

 came within about three per cent of total reported to the 

 treasury. 



Similar measurements for the other crops are lacking; but 

 shipment reports are being used as a check. Railroads quite 

 generally cooperate and their assistance is most helpful. 



Farmers should use the reports more fully. See how any 

 given crop is in your own state and in competing states. Find 

 out all you can about general market conditions and see the 

 quantity and quality of competing crops. Then you are in much 

 better position to decide whether to sell your crop now, and at 



