14 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



This combination of drought and heat was the severest test to 

 which the crops of the immense area covered have been subjected 

 during the many years covered by records. 



Yet 1911 is not a lean year. Enough has been produced for the 

 national needs, and there will be a surplus. 



COMPARISON UNFAVORABLE TO 1911. 

 CROP PRODUCTION. 



Most of the crops of 1911, as far as their production is ascertained, 

 compare unfavorably with the average production of the preceding 

 five years. Cotton is the most conspicuous exception. If the com- 

 mercial expectations of the size of this crop are realized, it will be 

 one-quarter larger than the five-year average, and also the largest 

 cotton crop ever grown. 



The sugar-beet crop is much above the average production of the 

 previous five years, and is the largest ever grown, while rice and 

 buckwheat are considerably above. 



All other crops are below the five-year average in production, hay 

 being the most prominent one in percentage of deficiency. 



VALUE OF WEALTH PRODUCED. 



For the first time in many years the total value of farm products 

 has declined from that of the preceding year. The estimate for 1911 

 is based on the census items and is $8,417,000,000, or $277,000,000 

 under the total for 1910. The loss is chargeable to the general classes 

 of animal products and animals sold and slaughtered. Dairy cows 

 are the only farm animals for which increase of price is indicated. 

 Eggs, wool, butter, and poultry have likewise suffered in farm price 

 during the year. In consequence of the decline of prices of farm 

 animals and their products, this group is estimated as having pro- 

 duced a value of $2,913,000,000 in 1911, or $321,000,000 below the 

 amount for 1910. 



On the other hand, the crops are worth more than those of 1910, 

 the estimate of farm value being $5,504,000,000, a gain of $44,000,000 

 over 1910. Farm prices of all crops are higher than for 1910, except 

 for cotton, cotton seed, and flaxseed, and this general fact, notwith- 

 standing the other general fact that production was low% makes about 

 10 crops of 1911 the most valuable ones of the same kinds that the 

 farms of this countr}^ have ever produced. 



If the census value of farm products for 1899 is represented by 

 100, the relative standing of subsequent years can be readily per- 

 ceived if they also are represented by index numbers. After 1899 

 the total value of farm products increased yearly about 5 to 7 in the 

 index number for six years, ending with 1905. For 1906 the in- 



