THE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS.
The Department of Statistics, separated by the last General Assembly from the Department of Geology, has been conducted with zeal and energy, and has collected statistics on a variety of subjects of general popular interest. Its monthly crop reports have been received with much favor by farmers and dealers in produce. It has, during the pass year. organized a corps of efficient weather observers, who have reported monthly to the head of the Department, their daily observations. These reports, having been transmitted regularly to the office of the Signal Service at Washington, have been commended for their fullness and accuracy, and they are contributing to the stock of knowledge which will gradually enable skillful observers to make longer and more accurate forecasts of the weather. The corps has been equipped with a small outfit of intruments by the United States Signal Service, but has served without any compensation.
The report of the Commissioner is so replete with information of general value that it will, no doubt, be examined by you with interest, and aid you in some parts of the work of legislation.
