AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 



FOREWORD 



My fellow Montanans: 



Montana's agricultural progress, an accurate barometer of our State's 

 general economic health, can be traced to several things, among which are: 



1) More water on more acres, due to development of small irrigation 

 projects. 



2) A high level of employment, resulting in increased purchasing power. 



3) A gain in Montana's population. 



4) An accelerated program of rural electrification and rural telephones. 



5) Awareness, by our farmers and ranchers, of the value of soil con- 

 servation, farm forestry, developing local markets, and the practice of 

 modern production and distribution methods. 



The entire program of the Montana Department of Agriculture is geared 

 to aid and counsel all who are associated with the agriculture industry, to 

 promote the general welfare of our farmers and ranchers, and to provide per- 

 sonnel, data and information to carry out this work. 



This statistical manual offers a valuable and ready reference to all who 

 are either directly or indirectly associated with agriculture. Its publication 

 represents a great deal of painstaking effort and I commend those who co- 

 operated in its preparation. 



Most sincerely, 



/ 



CJovernor of Montana 



