696 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The appropriations available for carr3nn<jj on the operations of this 

 Bureau were no greater for the year ended June 30, 1910, than for 

 the two preceding years; and for tlie current year they have not been 

 increased; consequently it has been difficult to increase the scope or 

 expand the detail necessary to an enlargement of the collection and 

 compilation of agricultural statistics. Nevertheless, some additions 

 have been made to our work during the year, and considerable strides 

 have been taken in the way of systematizing the work, and in verify- 

 ing or modifying results by utilizing the best comparative data 

 obtainable. 



CHANGES IN THE MONTHLY CROP REPORTS. 



During the fiscal year 1910 the following changes were made in 

 the monthly crop reports of this Bureau: 



On September 1, 1909, for the first time an inquiry was made 

 concerning the quantity of barley of the preceding year s growth on 

 farms September 1 . 



In the November schedule the average weight of a measured bushel 

 of wheat, of corn, of oats, and of barley was asked, these questions 

 hitherto having been asked in December, except that the weight of 

 barley was reported for the first time. In November, also, inquiry 

 was made for the first time as to the quality of apples. 



Inquiry relating to the production of rice was made in the Decem- 

 ber schedule, instead of in November as previousl}^, and the acreage 

 of rice harvested was also asked for the nrst time in December. 



Commencing with February, 1910, there was inaugurated a special 

 monthly schedule of inquiry concerning the monthly prices of numer- 

 ous farm products, including rice, clover seed, tobacco, sweet potatoes, 

 cabbages, onions, beans, apples, peaches, pears, quinces, cranberries, 

 broom corn, oranges, lemons, hops, peanuts, wool, milk, honey, milch 

 cows, veal calves, beef cattle, sheep, lambs, hogs, horses, and cost to 

 farmers of bran and cotton seed, in addition to continuing the regular 

 monthly inquiry concerning the prices of the staple products of corn, 

 wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, flax, hay, eggs, butter, 

 and poultry. 



In March, for the first time, the stocks of barley on farms March 1 

 were asked, also the percentage of the barley crop shipped out of 

 the county where grown. 



In April, 1910, the schedule included for the first time an inquiry 

 concerning the mortality of spring lambs from disease and exposure. 



During the crop season of 1910 the cotton schedules included for 

 the first time an inquiry concerning the condition of the crop in com- 

 parison with condition on same date of preceding year, this question 

 being asked in addition to the regular question as to condition 

 compared with a normal. 



During the year the regular monthly crop reports included the 

 following items: 



July 1, 1909, inquiry relating to acreage and condition of corn, 

 potatoes, tobacco, flax, rice, percentage of wheat on farms, condition 

 of winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, barley, rye, apples, hay, timothy, 

 clover for hay, alfalfa, millet, spring pasture, kafir corn, Canadian 

 or English field peas, cowpeas, bluegrass for seed, acreage and condi- 

 tion of sweet potatoes, condition of tomatoes, cabbages, onions, 



