Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-07-30
THIRD EDITION.
Distribution Of Sc I'd.

The disir button Of seeds from the
agricultural department at Washina;or
is an interesting and leading feature Of
that department A special division |
has charge Of the operation which is an |
extensive one.
Samples for experiment only are sent
from a him hleful to quart or a
bushel If the experiment prove de
sirable, the succeeding hatvests are to
that extent benefited. Much of the!
seeds selected come from Europe, the
cereals especially from Northern Eu
rope. The seeds of the department are
distributed through State, county agri
cultural socisties and colleges, cores
pondents, miscellaneous applicants, and
last, though not least, through mem bers
of Congress Thus every part Of the
land Is reached aud served, due atten
tion being given TO the special needs OF
different localities. The object is not
to supply seeds TO all who may desire
them, but 20 introduce them into every
locality adapted TO their growth.
The seed division at present Ia in
charge OF tro practical farmers, one
from Ohio aid mis- ass isiant from Mis-
sissippi. Clerks Keep an account OF the
seeds distr. 0uted; large force of
women, especially in winter, are kept
busy in pack ING them for shipment; the
small muslln bags aud paper packets
used are made in the seed room. The
entire appropriation for the seed pur-
chase and distribution IA 500, 600, the
seed being bought in various domestic
and foreign markets. The two seasons
in which the seeds are sent out are
from Decem Der 20 May aud from Au-
gust to Move u Der. A list Of regular
correspondents are req 1ested to report
ON vegetable seeds or nything Of a
novelty sent Them for testing. The
packages or pockets" are Of al sizes,
and distrioute free through the mails
in postof3ce bags specially furnished.
The women en- ployes are kept busy
pssting, stitching and arranging them
constantly. TIE members of the san.
ate and House are entitled to two thirds
of the seeds pat up for distribution-it
is their Old TINT IGNORED prero2ative, to
which they ARMY stick. To receive q
Congressm ana nag Of seeds tick les
many an cid farmer more than money
would, AID the CONGRESSMAN always
has an eye cooked on his cor stituency
at home. Washington never was a
more attractive city, and the average
member s,ill desires 10 conform to the
usages a2l k9ep his seat here. Each
mem Der IS notified how much seeds he
can draw, snd lien sends in his order
or comes IN person for his quota, or has
1t sent direct ID whoever he favors al
home by ths department 1t self.
The packages i'll huge bag to each
State or Te,i.ls and a natl agent in
each loca- J scattered. z Congressman
usuall. g-,s about fifteen big mai! bags
fall o! saais svery year; the money
value is snail, hat quite equal to hi,
continSec- fund drawn for peuknives
soap and con- bs. II 10 taken for grant
ed by the department. that each Cor
gresham ka9Es tie best party in hi.
distric, 20 seGd the seeds to, and o.
course his oder g complied with with
out hesitation. Editors of newspaper
are not ec:.51 ~ La W to receive tbs
seeds, and 5. they usually DO ge-
them, y : N, ely owing to the cour
tesy and E-2t.-11s OF mem bers them
selves, A. SEEDS are tested by the So
perintau3e-, lie grounds" in charg,
OF the Lo;-- ass % means of a warn
water app4-z- >, or actual planting il
The SOL - - csetvatory. From thre
10 ten days = .tgulred for such test
ing; If the :s.---g gives a percentage G
10 the ste-a --5 -onsidered good in ger
minatlon. --e-e are al present on e=
hib.tion v--le,y OF samples OF whea
and othe. Ups grown this season.