Washington: United States Department Of Agriculture. National Agricultural Statistics Service. United States Government printing office, 1953. — 787 p.
Agricultural Statistics brings together each year the more important series of statistics concerning AgTiculture and closely related subjects. For the most part, the data included herein were prepared in the U. S. Department of Agriculture, or compiled by the staff for official use. A few of the tables were prepared in other Government agencies. A particular effort has been made to meet the diverse interests and needs of the general public for a reliable reference book on agTicultural production, supplies, consumption, facilities, costs, and returns. The tables presented cover a wide variety of facts in forms suited to most common uses. Persons needing daily, weekly, and monthly information are served by the current reports of the agencies which prepare the summary statistics appearing in this book and to which the tables are credited. Research workers and others will usually wish to obtain direct from the agencies the latest facts bearing on particular problems associated with data contained in the tables included here. Inquiries concerning more current or more detailed data, the statistical methodology used, past and prospective revisions, etc., should be addressed direct to the agency responsible for the table.
The historical series in this volume have been generally limited to data beginning with 1939 or 1940, or to the most recent 10 years. Last year's issue, Agricultural Statistics, 1952, was expanded to carry a longer series of years for most of the tables and should be used as a reference by those who have a need for data for the earlier years. Many of the tables in this issue carry a reference in the source note to the page and table in Agricultural Statistics, 1952 where comparable data for earlier years can be found.
The table of contents indicates the general layout of the book, and page headings show the subdivisions within each chapter. Chapter XI, Consumption and Family Living, which was instituted last year has been continued and an attempt made to expand the series relating to these phases of the agricultural industry.
Chapters:
Introduction.
Grains.
Cotton, sugar, and tobacco.
Oilseeds, fats and oils.
Frults, vegetables, melons, tree nuts, and beverage crops.
Hay, seeds, and minor field crops.
Cattle, hogs, and sheep.
Dairy and poultry products.
Foreign trade of the United States
Farm resources, income, and expenses.
Agricultural conservation and forestry statistics.
Consumption and family living.
Miscellaneous agricultural statistics.
Index.