FARM MANAGEMENT 165 



An. Repts. 1903, 1909, 1910; Cir. 23, 32, 33; Tenn. A. E. S. Vol. 

 III.) 



STATISTICS. 



Foremost among countries in agricultural resources, equip- 

 ment, and production, the United States affords an interesting and 

 important subject for statistical examination with respect to agri- 

 culture. Here is a country covering the breadth of the North Amer- 

 ican continent and extending almost to antarctic regions on the north 

 and fully to semitropical regions on the south covering a great area 

 of land surface and within this great area the variations in soil, alti- 

 tude, heat, moisture, rainfall, and other agricultural conditions are 

 so numerous and so considerable in degree, that the products of 

 agriculture are of many kinds and bountiful, so that the world 

 market is largely affected by many of them. (Ag. Dept. Y. B. 

 1897.) Prices of agricultural products are primarily governed by 

 the law of supply and demand; therefore, early information con- 

 cerning the supply is of value to all. Those who produce and those 

 who consume are vitally interested, as well as the dealer who stands 

 between them. (Bu. Stats. Cir. 17.) 



The Bureau of Statistics issues each month detailed reports re- 

 lating to agricultural conditions throughout the United States. Be- 

 ginning with planting, data are gathered and reports made as to 

 the condition and acreage of each of the principal agricultural prod- 

 ucts, such as corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, potatoes, hay, cotton, 

 tobacco, rice, etc. As the crops progress the prospects are reflected in 

 monthly condition reports upon each growing crop; such reports 

 being expressed in percentages, 100 representing a normal condi- 

 tion. A normal condition of 100 would be the condition of the plant 

 where it gives promise of such a crop as might be expected if the 

 plant were not subjected to damaging influences, but grew bounti- 

 fully and under favorable conditions, including favorable weather, 

 freedom from damaging insects, etc. A normal crop is not a crop 

 which might be raised by exceptional skill or by an exceptional 

 farmer, but such a crop as, planted and cultivated, will be produced 

 if not subjected to damaging influences. Condition reports, expressed 

 in percentages of a normal crop, when published, are coupled 

 with a statement of the averages of similar reports at corresponding 

 dates in preceding years (usually ten-year averages) ; by such com- 

 parison the condition of crops in comparison with the average con- 

 dition is readily obtained. At harvest time the yields per acre are 

 ascertained, which, being multiplied by the acreage figures already 

 ascertained, give the production or quantitative figures for the year. 



Eleven monthly reports on the principal crops are received 

 yearly from each of the special field agents, county correspondents, 

 State statistical agents and township correspondents, and one report 

 relating to the acreage and production of general crops annually 

 from individual farmers. (Bu. Stats. Cir. 17.) 



Value of Government Crop Reports to Farmers. The question 

 is frequently asked, Of what value are Government crop reports to 

 farmers? The Government crop reports are especially valuable and 



