The rapidity of its returns, its general correctness, and its small cost, cannot 

 but meet with every favor. All local agencies to take a census of the crops, as 

 by township assessors, are seen to be so slow in their operations that the 

 farmers' crops are not only marketed, but consumed, before the amount of the 

 crop can be made known, thus losing the chief purpose of taking such annual 

 census, which is to make it known before they have passed from the farmer's hands. 

 The article shows the greater reliability of the returns of this department. How 

 far local agents could be forced to a more correct return by the enforcement of 

 penalties upon them, and upon the persons refusing to give a statement of their 

 products, is yet to be seen. 



In this connection I again urge upon Congress to place at my disposal two 

 thousand copies of that part of the census report which relates to agriculture, 

 for distribution among the regular correspondents of the department. In no 

 better hands could it be placed, and in none so deserving. Their valuable and 

 gratuitous services have demanded from me, in every report, the most favorable* 

 recognition. Congress will see the importance of this recommendation, when it 

 is remembered that the abridged census report does not give county returns, 

 but that the volume now being published does. 



The statistical tables, although not as important as in the last bi-monthly re- 

 port, cannot but receive an attentive examination. 



ISAAC XEWTON, 



Commissioner. 



