Page 304 - Annuaire Statistique Québec - 1918

262 PR.ODUCTION

COMPILATION OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS IN CANADA

Agrieultural statistics in Canada, are controlled by the Dominion
Bureau of Statistics. Data concerning the area under eultivation and value
of crops as well as the number of cattle were for a long time wanting for
the period between decennial censuses. In 1908, the Dominion Bureau
began the publication of annual estimates, based on results of decennial
censuses and the information of agricultural correspondents. The returns
are more accurate sinee 1918, when the Dominion Bureau came to an
agreement with the provincial governments and adopted a uniform
system of gathering and compiling agricultural statistics.

The information ia now obtained by means of a "questionnaire",
by which the farmer gives the area under cultivation and the numberof
cattle he possesses on the 15th June of each year. These ft questionnairea"
are delivered to the farmers of the Provinces through the intermediary
of rural school teachers and their pupils with the ex,ception of the
Provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island where they
are mailed directly to the farmers.

In the Fall, the correspondents give out the average yield pel' acre
as well as the average prices realized. The total estimate of the pro-
duction is computed by multiplying the seeded area by the average yield
pel' acre; the same rule applies for the value of the crops. About 20 pel'
cent of the "questionnaires" so distributed are returned to the Dominion
Bureau of Statistics where the compilation is made. The percentage
of returns forms the basis of the estimates of the erop.

The agricultural statistics are go.thered with the assistance of the
different departments of agriculture in accordance with the under-
standing agreed upon at the inter-provincial conference held in Ottawa,
in 1918. However since 1924, the Quebec Bureau of Statislics and the
Department of Agriculture have no control over the published agri-
cultural statistics; the estimates of the crops are made altogether by the
Dominion Bureau of Statistics.

The information given in the following tables is drawn from the
Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural Stalistics, the official organ of the
Dominion Bureau. This publication founded in 1908, contains, in addi-
tion to o.nnual agricultural statistics, interesting information on the
dairy industry, breeding of cattle, fruit production) tobacco cultivation
and many other subjects concerning agriculture and industries derived
therefrom.