The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1889-02-15
Distribution Of Seed.

Qnite nuiiibsr of Years pas. saws The Bal
timore Sun, members Of Congress have been
in The custom of distributing among their con-
s'ituents packages OF seeds of various kinds
provided by the agricultural BUREAU IL WAS
delicate way of reminding their farming
friends that their member was thinking of
them and taking care Of their Interests If
there were no, offices enough to go round,
there were little presents Of seeds to bestow
that cost the Congressman nothing. but the
government good deal-the amount appro-
pfiated for this purpose reaching the hand.
some sum of a hundred ,hous and doIla,s a
year. When the law author izing the distri-
button Of seeds was passed it contemplated
only ''rare and valuable seeds. plants and cut
tinss," and is so limited and described i'm the
Law itself. 1t was. moreover, contemplated
that these rare and valuable seeds and cut
tings should be first tested in the experiment
tai garden 10 ascertain whether they were
adapted to our soil and climate, and also
whether they were IF finer quality or a rar-
er kind than the seeds ordinarily sold in our
seed stores. Of the plants and cuttings we
have heard very little sine. the law was pass
ed, though it is possible that occasionally
some few Of them have been disturbed The
distribution. from the Ia ginning, Was almos,
wholly restricted TO seeds. At first. for this
purpose. seeds supposed TO be rare and
valuable" and therefore desirable TO be intro
dnced for cultivation in the United States.
were bought abroad. Many OF them were
foreign varieties of seeds in use among us,
and some entirely new Bat after while the
pretense Of complying with the law was pref
~ much abandoned and contracts We're made
b. the agricultural bureau with American
seedsrnen for the annua! supply Of Sc Ids. The
purpose and intent Of the law have thus been
the bureau supplies chiefly such seeds As are
10 be found al the seed stores Of our cities.
and which include imported kinds as well as
those raised by our professional seedsrnen-
There may he varieties of sorghum seed OBJ
taine:i elsewhere, but, generally speaking
they consist Of packages of peas, beans, tur-
nps. beets. &c, &c.-the seeds. in short, of
the vegetables usually cultivated by our peo-
pie. These are made into Packages at the
agricultural bureau and forwarded under in
from Representatives, "who proceed
to deluge their constituents with the cheapes,
and bulkiest seeds obtainable. in order To
make as heavy All impression upon the sranc-
er electors IS possible" There may probably
b. enough Of them sent to constituent 10
supply small kitchen garden but to the
the men who supply the markets
with vegetables, they would amount to an in
significant quantity. Even Consressmen-
many Of them, at lesst-are beginning To
think the whole thing trouble and vexation
OF spirit and one Of them. Representative
Burnet, of Massachusetts,. has come TO their
relief. lie has managed TO secure from the
House committee Oh agriculture the adoption
Of all amendment 10 the agricultural appro-
priation bill providing that thereafter the dis
ributioE Of seeds annually provided for in
he bill shall be made through the Slate ex-
detrimental stations instead of, as now. through
: congressman This would certainly sim
,lify the matter. and, if the distribution were
made, would be an improve !
nent on the present meiio1. J