REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 25 



The report of July 1 of this year showing intentions to breed 

 ior fall pigs again showed an increase for fall farrowings, but 

 judging from the large number of sows which have been going to 

 market during the summer, farmers changed their plans when they 

 learned the general intention and the actual fall farrowings will 

 fall much below the expressed intentions of the farmers. That is 

 the result to be desired from these reports. 



Receipts at the various markets, which permit the checking up 

 of these estimates, indicate that it will be possible to forecast quite 

 accurately the probable movement of hogs to market several months 

 in advance of the actual movement. 



ACREAGE ESTIMATES IMPROVED. 



The problem of estimating acreage is one of the most difficult con- 

 fronting the crop forecaster. In order to secure greater accuracy, 

 therefore, a measuring instrument has been devised for attaching to 

 an automobile by which the linear measurement of all fields in 

 various crops bordering on highways can be easily and quickly 

 made. By covering sufficient territory a very accurate ratio between 

 the areas in different crops can be determined and by covering the 

 same highways year after year, the change in acreages in various 

 crops can be worked out. Successful experiments have been made 

 with this instrument and it will be used in practically all States 

 hereafter. 



LIVESTOCK REPORTING. 



This year a long step in advance has been taken in the work of 

 livestock reporting. Practically a new service has been started for 

 the purpose of estimating actual production for market, available 

 supplies, and movement of cattle and sheep. Estimates were issued 

 on December 1, January 1, and March 1, last, of the number of 

 cattle and sheep on feed in the Corn Belt as well as in the western 

 States. Weekly reports were issued during the height of the season 

 of the lamb movement in the Colorado-Nebraska district, showing 

 the actual movement to market. The total number of lambs shipped 

 out of this district checked very closely with the estimates made at 

 the beginning of the season. Reports of the available supply of 

 feeder cattle for spring and fall shipment were made for a number 

 of western States, and hereafter will be made for all States which 



