90 ANNUAL RKPOHTtt OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



are too small to print, but which contain valuable results which 

 should be published rather than preserved only in manuscripts, as at 

 present. 



ILLUSTRATIVE WORK. 



Aside from the illustrations for publications, much of the work 

 comprised diagrams, photographs, slides, etc., for the use of depart- 

 ment experts in connection with lectuifs which they are called upon 

 to deliver before agricultural organizations and societies in many 

 parts of the country, showing the work of the department. This 

 is one way of taking the department to the farmer. 



The increasing use by the press of extracts from our publications 

 is most gratifying, supplementing the wide distribution already 

 given them by the department. 



In every branch of the department's publication work, comprising 

 editing, indexing, illustrating, and finally, the distribution of the 

 publications, the results achieved exceeded those of any other year. 



BUREAU OF STATISTICS. 



The primary duty of the Bureau of Statistics is the preparation 

 of monthly reports giving seasonable information concerning the 

 acreage planted to the principal crops of the United States, their 

 condition from month to month during the growing season, and their 

 yield per acre, total yield, and quality; also the condition from month 

 to month and relative production, expressed in percentages of full 

 production of minor crops. 



The number, value of farm animals, stocks of grains in the hands 

 of farmers at specific dates, and the average prices received by 

 farmers for leading products each month are reported; and a few 

 other miscellaneous subjects, such as causes of crop damage, move- 

 ment of crops, cost of transportation, farm wages, and the progress of 

 spring plowing and planting, are dealt with. 



SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 



These reports are based on statements made by voluntary corre- 

 spondents and salaried employees located throughout the agricultural 

 sections of the country, in reply to inquiries prepared in the bureau 

 and sent out from AVashington embracing the subjects dealt with 

 each month. 



The voluntary correspondents are public-spirited citizens rendering 

 service without compensation, and are excellent farmers, as careless 

 or indifferent farmers wdll not take the pains to report month after 



