BUREAU OF MARKETS AND CROP ESTIMATES. 537 



for American pork and pork products in that country. Another 

 man has been maintained tliroughout the year in London. London 

 is a very important center for the interchange of information from 

 all parts of the world. It is comparatively easy to keep in touch 

 "with the agricultural situation in all parts of the British Empire 

 by keeping in close touch Avith the British capital. The man located 

 in London is also in a position to form desirable contacts with 

 officials and others in European countries. 



In addition to maintaining these representatives in foreign coun- 

 tries, tAvo men AA'ere sent to Europe to make an economic survey of 

 agricultural reconstruction in Europe, and to arrange for the inter- 

 change of information as to the condition and production of crops 

 in these countries. 



A beginning has been made toward establishing a Avorld crop-re- 

 porting service. Arrangements haA-e been made with Canada, India, 

 and Norway for direct reporting of crop conditions and estimates of 

 ])roduction by cable to the United States. The International Insti- 

 tute of Agriculture at Rome also cables estimates of production of 

 the principal crops in which this country is interested. The Dej^art- 

 ment of State, through consular officers, has rendered valuable aid in 

 collecting information as to stocks on hand, conditions, and produc- 

 tion of crops in seA-eral countries. The Department of Commerce also 

 has giA'en aid in collecting information as to crop conditions and 

 economic conditions which influence the markets for agricultural 

 products by furnishing reports of commercial attaches. 



The L^nited States was represented by six delegates at the sixth 

 general assembly of the International Institute at Rome. At this 

 assembly it was decided that the institute should expand its program 

 to include the collection of statistics on other important crops and 

 live stock. It was also decided that the institute should rnake more 

 extensive use of cables and telegrams to collect and disseminate 

 information as to the condition and production of crops. The carry- 

 in£r out of this program will greatly facilitate the development of a 

 world agricultural production and market-reporting service for the 

 United vStates. (See DiA'ision of Crop Estimates.) 



A large part of the statistical section published in the department 

 Yearbook was prepared in this division. This section includes tables 

 covering production and international trade in specified agricultural 

 products of all countries for which statistics were available: tables 

 of quantity and A'alue of agricultural products imported into and 

 exported from the United States for the three years ending December 

 31, 1920: and tables showing high, low, and aA'erage wholesale prices 

 of various agricultural commodities at 23 markets. Numerous sta- 

 tistical statements and summaries were prepared for publication dur- 

 imr the year. 



Statistical studies have been made covering many phases of the 

 work of the bureau. A mimeographed bulletin which contains sum- 

 maries of the crop and market information secured from foreign 

 countries has been issued weekly, and a Handbook of Foreign Agri- 

 cultural Statistics has been prepared and published. In addition, 

 information has been prepared for publication in "Weather, Crops, 

 and Markets. 



