Agricultural Statistics 



NEWTON BRIGHT, Commissioner 



The collection of agricultural statistics by counties is an item of 

 grave importance and very definite value. By proper county statistics 

 the progress made by individual counties can be definitely ascertained 

 in any particular line. For example the advance made from year to 

 year in the increased number of any particular line of live stock, or 

 increased acreage of any given crop, could be easily ascertained if 

 sufficient funds were available to employ clerical help to assemble 

 such information. In the absence of such provision only such statis- 

 tics. are disseminated as are available through the agency of the U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture, the College of Agriculture and through the 

 agencies now collecting certain data in this department. 



This department is supplanting this form of work by the issuance 

 of bulletins from time to time giving in general terms the agricultural 

 and industrial resources and possibilities of the State, with statistical 

 figures relative to the number and growth of agricultural and indus- 

 trial enterprises. Notable among such publications is a pamphlet 

 called "Agricultural and Industrial Kentucky," which gives in definite 

 and concrete form, area of State, number and value of farms, value 

 of agricultural products, number of industries in principal cities, value 

 of minerals, miles of highways, historical data and points of general 

 interest. 



"Little Stories of Kentucky Farms" is a pamphlet that has created 

 favorable comment in that it gives definite and reliable examples of 

 profit by individual farmers, who have engaged in definite lines of agri- 

 cultural pursuit. 



The "Marketing Exchange Bulletin" issued semi-monthly, with a 

 circulation of 22,500 each issue, not only provides a medium of ex- 

 change between the farmers of the State for agricultural products, im- 

 plements and farm machinery, but carries in each issue practical 

 thoughts and suggestions from farm papers and reliable bulletins, in- 

 cluding the monthly reports of the State Live Stock Sanitary Board, as 

 well as tobacco reports when in season. 



Your Commissioner feels that such means of publicity are both 

 progressive and modern and fill in a large measure the place of more 

 definite statistical information, wbich can be gathered from other de- 

 partments of State and the Federal Government. 



