The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-12-18

the AnONc- tnentlonea year were as iOllOWSs veg
etable seeds, $1,000 pounds; clover seed, 3.67l
pounds; kaitir corn. 600 pounds; barley, $500
pounds; cotton seed, 9,42O pounds; tesinte
seed. 200 pounds; tobacco seed, $40 pounds;
flower seeds, 1883 pounds; wheat, l.2S5 bush
els peas, 1850 bushels; oats, 900 bushels
grass seed 100 bushels; milet 100 bushels:
buekwheat, $50 bushels; sugar corn, 1852
bushels; field corn, 701 bushels; beans, III
bushels; amounting in all to ISIS bushels
and 1864 pounds of grains and seeds Of all
the hundred varieties distributed, more or very
likely less.
Ii the Department Of Agriculture cost twice
what il does, and the most of the seeds dis
tributed by it TOtted in the ground, or its to-
baecO seeds produced pigweed as some the
writer purchased once of New York seed
house did, IL would be cheap if 10 should, by one
special distribution this year, which is impend-
ing, do what il uncOnsciOusly perhaps, may be
on the point OF dOing-namely, Danish from a
forced market the miserable, costly, wooden
Georgia watcrme Ion in favor of that kind which
it forced into the background; that melon with
a color, with flow Of nectsrine liquor that
prOvOkes drOOl, and flesh as delicious in color
as a pOmegranate, and in taste as It. year young
lips; that brunei fruit that you go back 70 after
you are full, and deyOur the remnant Of with
your eyes
THE RATTLEsNARE WATERMELON.
But in seeking to restore this favorite TO its
chances the Department has not omitted several
other good things, perhaps OF greater practical
value. In providing last year and this for the
distribution Of teosinte, a luxuriant forage
plant which ripens seed only in the TAR South,
but produces annual crops as far north as the
10th parallel; which, planted as corn, attains
IN rich soil hight of 10 or IL feet, and occupies
a space of three TO four feet in diameter aud
which is eagerly deyouTed by stock, it has
Ill q 81 1 a.. -
Of food for animals. But to specify al the
varieties of seeds now for distribution which
add to or increase the products Of agriculture
without increasing the cost OF production, would
be 10 make "A book of an article. 10 must be
apparent to anyone that the effects of right
system, rs we'll as OF n single good, cannot be
CatalOgcd. They 20 on in one way and another
through phases of benefit that cannot be painted
in words. For sufficient evidence Ofthe general
and special utility Of seed and plant distribu-
tions, the decided approval Of the whole agri-
cultural community, the largest and most in
terested in the matter in the whole country, is
sufficient. Aud yet this is but one Of the many
features of helpful activity in which the De-
partment is engaged, extending TO every phase
and variety Of endeavor based in the eultiya-
ton of land and plant growth.
Where do the seeds and plants come from
Well, this is a wide world, and the part in
which we live has every known variety of soil
and climate except extreme arctic. It is safe
to say then that such plants, or the seeds there
Of, as are considered worthy of experimentBr
propagation are gathered from time % time
from anywhere and everywhere, and with true
republican hospitality naturaliZed here, under
the stringent condition, however, which might
be extended TO other affairs that IL shall confer
benefit. A thoroughly competent agent is
employed 10 mako purchases in the United
States of such varieties az are wisely deter
mined TO be worthy OF distribution for rOta-
ton, and equal care is exercised in making
selections and purchases in Europe occasion
ally. Then, other special means are employed
To secure new or obscure foreign varieties, often
through special agents or the Diplomatic or
Consular officers Of the Government. In this
way, usually at little expense, the world is
made tributary to our needs or convenience. as
10 each phase of capacity Of soil or permission
Of climate. IL Is q mode Of wise encourage
ment To the whole country 70 do its utmost in
amount aud variety Of production, that it may
satisfy in Itself as far as possible every desire
aud cOHYeHleuee vi is citizens, and increasing
with their numbers and wants.
The amount appropriated for the present
fiscal year for seeds and seed distribution was
100000. Something like half Of this amount
will be expended for grain and other seed, and
the balance for putting up and sending out. The
Department itself will send packages as oil
course, TO its numerous statistical correspond
ents, Of whom there are, including State and
County.