REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURAL 
CENSUS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, 1925. 
CHAPTER I.—INTRODUCTION. 
Agriculture differs from other industries in the possession of a 
longstanding system of annual statistics which provide much of 
the information which a census taken at infrequent intervals 
would normally supply. This information, though extensive, is 
not complete, and it has therefore been the practice in the years 
when industrial enquiries are made under the Census of Production 
Act to conduct a parallel enquiry in regard to the Agricultural 
Output. The first enquiry was made in 1908.* This was 
followed by a similar enquiry in 1913, but owing to the war 
the work was interrupted and the results were not completely 
analysed. The present census is the third of the series. It 
relates, however, exclusively to England and Wales, and not, as 
in 1908, to Great Britain. 
The enquiries conducted in connection with the Census of 
Production are mainly confined to output, but on this occasion 
it seemed desirable to extend the scope of the Report so as to 
give in one volume a review of the available statistics relating 
to agriculture in England and Wales. 
It has not been possible to include information as to the cost 
of production as particulars of general application are not avail- 
able. Another point of interest which has necessarily been 
omitted is the relation between home production and total 
consumption, as the quantity of imported produce consumed in 
England and Wales alone cannot be stated. For the same reason 
information cannot be given in regard to the quantities of 
fertilisers and feeding stuffs used. It may be possible at a later 
date to compile particulars on these subjects applicable to Great 
Britain as a whole. 
At the outset, a brief description may be given of the methods 
by which the statistics are obtained. The value of the results 
naturally depends on the reliability of the methods, which have 
both their advantages and their limitations. 
Methods of obtaining statistics. 
Area of crops and number of live stock.—In Great Britain the 
area of crops and the number of live stock have been ascertained 
annually since 1867 by means of a return (commonly called 
%* The Agricultural Output of Great Britain. Report on Enquiries 
made by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in connection with the 
Census of Production Act, 1906, relating to the total output of Agricultural 
Land, the number of persons engaged and the motive power employed. 
(Cd. 6277.) 
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