410 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The better uiKlerstaiulin<!; of the forei<;n statistics and the per- 

 sonal contacts established by these representatives and the prompt 

 transmission of the f<)r('i<2:n crop and live-stock reports would make 

 them much more useful and valuable. 



If foreign representatives are appointed, it is recommended that 

 one be placed in Europe, with head(iuarters at London or Paris; 

 another in South America, with liead(|uarters at Buenos Aires, and 

 a third in the Orient and Australia. 



The foreign "crop records and research" project includes the 

 international trade in about 2-'i agricultural products. Exports from 

 and imports into practically all countries are compiled from the 

 official returns of the respective governments, about 200 in all, and 

 computed to United States weights and measures. Like the original 

 sources for foreign crop and live-stock statistics, many of these trade 

 returns are in foreign languages, without any English translation. 

 These " international trade " tables are useful in comparison with 

 the statistics of production, and are prepared in this bureau because 

 no other Government office compiles them. 



INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE. 



According to former custom, monthly crop reports have been sent 

 regularly to the International Institute of Agriculture during the 

 fiscal year. A copy of each report was sent by radiogram through 

 the United States Navy Department; also by mail direct to the In- 

 stitute. At the request of the Department of Commerce and the 

 Institute, the exports and imports of cereals and cotton for the United 

 States Avere also given in monthly radiograms and mailed schedules, 

 through the Bureau of Crop Estimates. In addition to the regular 

 monthly reports the following special compilations were sent to the 

 Institute : 



Stocks of cereals on farms and in markets. 



Estimated consumption of cereals in the United States. 



Statistics of fertilizers, showing production, exports, and imports for 



the United States. 

 Comprehensive statistics of forestry in the United States, including a 



description of the scope and methods of compiling the statistics; also 



copies of the publications. 



A monthly crop summary is received from the Institute by radio- 

 gram at the Bureau of Crop Estimates, transmitted through the 

 courtesy of the State Department. These summaries are computed 

 to United States weights or measures, edited for the press, and suffi- 

 cient copies run off for distribution through the Office of Information. 



The incoming reports are checked by a research clerk in consulta- 

 tion with the foreign crop specialist, to guard as much as possible 

 against errors. The outgoing reports to the Institute are in direct 

 charge of the Assistant Chief of the Division of Crop Records. 



The publications of the Institute are received and distributed by 

 the States Relations Service. 



It is recommended that funds be appropriated to pay cablegram 

 charges, and that the Institute be requested to cable these monthly 

 reports direct to the Bureau of Crop Estimates. This will insure 

 more speedy delivery. 



