Agricultural statistics of the USA 1957

Agricultural Statistics brings together each year the more important series of statistics concerning Agriculture 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 agricultural production, supplies, consumption, facilities, costs, and returns. The tables presented cover a wide variety of facts in forms suited to most common use. 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 propective revisions, etc., should be addressed directly to the agency responsible for the table.

The historical series in this volume have been expanded in order to provide a more complete reference than in other recent editions. A similar volume was issued in 1952 and 1942. With the longer series carried here, there should be few occasions for the user to refer back to earlier issues. Historical tables showing totals for the United States begin with 1866 for the principal crops and with 1867 for January 1 livestock numbers. Most other basic tables showing national totals begin with 1919, 1929, 1934 or 1939 (livestock and poultry numbers 1 year later) depending in part on the relative need for a long series.

Space in this issue was not sufficient to carry all series back to their beginning but in general, sufficient years have been included in each case to meet the needs of most users. It is expected that succeeding issues will carry historical series for fewer years, but with references to the 1957 volume.

The table of contents indicates the general layout of the book and page headings show the subdivisions within each chapter. The organization is much the same as in the 1956 issue, but several new tables have been included with a few series on Hawaiian agriculture near the end of the book.

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.
Farm resources, income, and expenses.
Agricultural conservation and forestry statistics.
Consumption and family living.
Miscellaneous agricultural statistics.
Index.