<546 KEFORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



this statistical field, from the want of unity in official statistical methods 

 of different conn tries, the imperfection of results, and tardiness of com- 

 pletion and publication of reports. 



In recognition of the great importance of administrative improvement 

 n\ these respects, an organization of the International Statistical In- 

 jUitute was el3ected, at the jubilee meeting of the London Statistical 

 Societ}- last summer, for the develoi^ment of official and scientific sta- 

 tistics — 



(1) By introducing, as £ar as possible, uuiformity in tlio methods of compiling and 

 iilwtraciing statistical letnms, and by adopting it in tho compilation of etalistical 

 publicatioDs, witli a view to a comparison of results obtained in different countries. 



("Z) By inviting the attention of Govevnuients to the varioua problems capable of 

 solution by statiKtical observations, and by applying for information on those subjects 

 -which have not hitherto been adequately subjected to statLitical treatment. 



(3) By preparing international publications as a means of bringing into communi- 

 cation the statisticians of various countries. 



(4) By endeavoring, througb the medium of publications, and, if practicable, by 

 public instruction and other suitable means, to foster the general appreciation of sta- 

 tistical science, and to stimulate the interests of Governments and individuals in the 

 study of social pnenomena. 



The association is limited to one hundred members, more than lip.lf 

 of which have already been elected, among them six representing admin- 

 istrative statistics in this country, liegular sessions are to be held 

 biennially, the first in 1886, at a place and time not yet indicated. The 

 advancement of statistical science renders necessary the association of 

 oflBcial and professional statisticians, and especially international co- 

 operation. This organization is an important movement, with large 

 possibilities of usefulness, and may prove especially valuable in the ad- 

 ministrative work in statistics of the great nations of the world. 



The statistical information required by committees or members of 

 Congress, by other Departments, by representatives of foreign Govern- 

 ments, by agricultural and commercial organizations, demands an in- 

 creasing amount of time and labor, and receives attention only limited 

 by the possibilities of performance, which are reduced by the difiiculty 

 of obtaining skilled and adequate assistants at the low rate of compen- 

 sation provided in the api)ropriation for salaries. The salaries allowed 

 for exi)ert service in this work are about half the rate paid by enter- 

 prising commercial organizations in this country, and only a fourth of 

 tlie compensation allowed for similar services by some foreign Govern- 

 ments. 



In the statistical work of this office, theory is ever kept subordinate 

 to fact, and no hobbies are mounted, personal preferences exposed, or 

 prejudices aired ; political leanings are unknown in the domain of agri- 

 cultural statistics; the truth, naked and unadorned, in the interest of 

 rural progress and national advancement is sought, whether interested 

 parties bear, forbear, or oppose ; and the welfare of the farming class is 

 ever considered, in the belief that rural prosperity is consistent with 

 the general weal, the progress of universal industry, the good of con- 

 sumer and producer, and the increase of national prosperity. 



Acknowledgments are cheerfully made for assistance rendered the 

 Statistician by the clerical force in this branch of the Department serv- 

 ice, by State agents, and the thousands of correspondents who furnish 

 initial local data for ultimate reports. 



OOEN. 



The increase of population, the enlargement of exportation of farm 

 products, the opening of the fresh beef export in 1877, and the home 



