as would make it unnecessary to resort to estimates. In fact, it 
must be recognised that the difficulties in the way of obtaining 
precise or exact information in regard to the production of dairy 
produce, meat, fruit, etc., are exceptionally great, and though 
the broad general results obtained may be accepted with some 
confidence a margin of error must necessarily exist in an enquiry 
where so large a proportion of the units of production are small 
and isolated, and where only a proportion of the producers keep 
any records of their output. 
A statement of the methods by which information has been 
obtained is given in the body of the Report in connection with 
the respective commodities. 
In addition to all these particulars as to area of crops, number 
of live stock and production both of crops and live stock products, 
it is necessary, in order to obtain a general view of agriculture 
as an industry and its relation to other industries, to take account 
also of the value of the output, the capital and labour employed, 
the prices obtained for the products, and the number and 
character of the holdings into which the land of the country is 
divided. These various subjects are dealt with in the Report 
either by bringing together and summarising existing information 
or by means of new information obtained in connection with 
this enquiry.