Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-26
THE SEED DIVISION.


a. has been stated, is the largest and most i'm
portant of the various bureaus that come un-
der the control Of Secretary Rusk. Its ramif-
cations extend all over the country, from ice
bound Alaska to the gulf-washed shores of
Florida. This division occupies a separate
building Immediately east of the main building.
For some time it shared this building with the
Offices of the civil service commission. This is
to visitors the most interesting of all the de-
psrtments, for here one can stand for hours in
tently watching the nimble fingers Of the wo-
men employees folding the seeds in packages
addressing. weighing and sending them off in
every direction. They sit at tables extending
the whole length of the room and here they
work from until 4. totally oblivious of the
groups OF spectators who gather about the
doors. Some measure and put seeds in pack
ages others pass a circle of rubber around the
packages. which are then passed on to tables
where they are addressed and weighed Then
Young men scoop them into mail bags and pile
the bags when filed on large wagons that take
them to the station. When the planter gets his
little package from the village post office in the
corner grocery he does not think of the many
fair hands they have passed through. Every
variety Of seed, from the tiny mustard to the
cocoanut, is sent from this division.
The department does not confine itself to
foreign seeds, but sends out those already
known in this country. The primary object is
to give increased values to productions, to in
troduce new industries and to establish princi-
Piles relative to climatic influences and from
these draw conclusions which point to the best
geographical distribution of varieties. and to
introduce suitable varieties into sections where
they have not before been known. This is a
study. and a most fascinating and interesting
one. Many indirect factors of great value can
be obtained. As an instance take the wheat
crop. The records OF the department show
that on farms where this cereal has gradually
diminished in production from twenty-four
bushels an acre to twenty bushels a change of
seed has often run the crop up to its former
average, showing that a diminished production
cannot always be attributed to soil deteriora-
ton alone and that systematic rotation of seed
exchange is an important factor in maintaining
the productive capacity OF the soil
WHAT AN EXPERT SAYS.
Superintendent Saunders, who is well known
in this city as a member of the parking CON-
mission, talked in an interesting way to a STAR
reporter as the two sauntered through the
building together.
There is no doubt" he remarked, Hof the
importance Of this subject, and to better illus
trate the benefits derived from it will tell you
that some OF our cereal crops are grown in eli
mates that are not at all suitable for their best
development and seeds grown there will neces-
ssrily perpetuate weak progeny. Now for
instance, here is the oat," said Mr.. Saunders,
picking up a large package from pretty girls
table. This requires a somewhat moist and
cold temperature for its fullest DEVELOPMENT.
and where the best oats are raised deteriora-
ton is less rapid, and imported seed will be
felt for many years. although il is only a oues-
ton of time when they will reach a point of
the lowest deterioration. When plants are
grown in climates best suited to their fullest
development" continued Mr.. Saunders, sthey
can be improved by q careful selection Of the
best seeds, but when they are grown in cli-
mates not congenial they can also be wonder
fully Improved by the same process. II is a
good rule and works both ways, you see. II
follows naturally that the Introduction of seeds
from regions where they obtain greatest per-
lection 10 q wise and profitable course to pur-
sue. Another important work. concluded Mr..
Saunders, as he passed out Of the building ..is
that Of quickly testing the merits of new and
valuable seeds in different climates and a al.
versity Of sofia"
THE DISTRIBUTION or SEEDS
b large and important work Usually thev
are sent by mail and delivered at the post Office
Of the farmers free Of charge, but when mach.
ages are bulky they are sent by express ana
then the receivers have to pay the charges.
Another method Of distribution il through A.
ricultural societies, institutions. regular cor
respondents and individual applicants. Con-
sress has provided that two-thirds of all the
seeds grown for distribution by the depart
nent should be turned over TO Representative
70 be given 10 their constituents, but this ID
raanifestly impracticable. What Congress
man representing o constituency residing in
the crowded tenement districts Of New York,
where Land 10 worth 600 square foot and
the majority Of people don't care whether po-
sstoes grow above or under the ground, would
want Of gardsn seeds v one OF those questions