REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE BTJREATJ OF STATISTICS. 



United States Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Statistics, 

 Washington, D. C, August 31, 1912. 



Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the Bureau 

 of Statistics for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1912. 

 Very respectfully, 



Victor H. Olmsted, 



Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. Jajies Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Bureau of Statistics during the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1912, maintained the same organization as described in the annual 

 report for the year ended June 30, 1911, and the work was similar 

 in character to that accomplished in preceding years, as were also 

 the means and methods employed in its prosecution. In order that 

 the bureau's work and the lines along which it is carried may be 

 understood by those not heretofore informed, it is advisable to state, 

 briefly, its most prominent features of method and accomplishment 



MONTHLY CROP REPORTS. 



The most important duty of the bureau is the preparation and 

 issuance monthly of reports giving seasonable information con- 

 cerning the acreage planted to the principal crops of the United 

 States each year (covering approximately 87 per cent of the total 

 crop area of the country), 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 pro- 

 duction, expressed in percentages of full production, of minor crops. 



In addition, reports are made regarding the number, status, and 

 values of farm animals, stocks of grain remaining in the possession 

 of farmers at specified dates, and average prices received by farmers 

 for leading products each month. A few other miscellaneous sub- 

 jects are dealt with, such as causes of crop damage, movement of 

 crops, farm wages, and progress of spring plowing and planting. 



correspondents and agents. 



The bureau's monthly crop reports are based on replies, made by 

 voluntary correspondents throughout the agricultural sections of the 

 United States and by salaried employees, to printed inquiries sent 

 them from Washington, which embrace the subjects dealt with each 

 month. 



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