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

NNsPE OF law the Department las among
its several Divisions two which arc
w specially designed TO give thc law as
full effect as possible. The Iurucul-
" tural, Pathological and Propagating
Division. which operates the gardens grounds
aud conservatorics. has charge OF the collecting
Of such seeds, bulbs and plants as a5c 10 be
tested under the supervision Of the Depart
ment and OF the resulting distributions; while
the Seed Division proper has charge OF the
more general. annual distribution OF valuable
varieties of cereals forage plants and seeds OF
all kinds. not necessarily tested primarily by
the Department.
The character aud scope Of the operations
aud the nature Of distributions Of the fIst-
named Division may be best understood 10y the
statement of the Superintendent in one OF has
annual reports. viz: To procure and encourage
the transmission Of seeds, cuttings, bulbs
and plants from al sources, both foreign and
domestic for the purpose of testing THEN merits
and adaptation in general, OF for particular
localities la the States 10 procure by hybu-
dizing and special culture products OF superior
character 20 any now existing; 10 ascertain by
experiment the influences of varied culture on
products. and the notifications effected by the
operations Of pruuines and other manipulatious
on trees and fruits; to investigate more thor
oughly the various maladies aud diseases OF
plants, aud the insects which destroy them; TO
provide ample means for thoroughly testing
samples Of seeds and other contributions that
may be received TO cultivate specimens Of the
various hedge plants, so as TO exhibit their
availability for the purpose OF fences; to Guilt
waite a collection OF the best fruit trees and
plants, such as grapes, apples, pears peaches,
strawberries, raspberIies currants, etc. 30 as
90 compare their respective merits and preserve
their proper nomenclature; 20 plant a collec-
tion Of choice shrubs aud trees adapted for
decorating gardens and landscape scenery 10
erect glass structures for the tw0l0ld purpose
OF afOrding the necessary facilities for Guilt
waiting exotic fruits and plants, and to furnish
examples Of the best aud most economical
modes OF constructing, heating aud managing
such buildings" These propositions have
been closely adhered to for some 70 years
some have been successfully carried out, and
some partially So as circumstances have been
more o. less favorable.
The number and variety Of plants cuttings,
seed, etc, sent out from this Division 10 the
most favorable localities respectively are
simply enormous In the aggregate OF tea
plants there have been hundreds Of thousands
aud although tea cannot be cultivated here
economically as a commercial product. ar a do
nestle commodity it is now largely produced
aud used in families that prepare il IN sufficient
amounts lOr their own consumption.
VALUABLE ORANGES
have been introduced from south America the
West Indies and Japan, and arc propagatcd and
distributed in the orange growing sections Of
this country annually ia large quantities a
lottor 10 the Department says Of one variety
The Bahia orange sent 70 California 10 years
ago Is conceded 10 be the best variety produced
in this State. ID is Of the largest size aud FIN
est flavor, aud sells higher than any other kind.
40 Is worth % California AL that the Depart
ment Of Agriculture has ever cost the country"
About 200 varieties Of apple trees were Sc
cured from Russia 20 years ago, with the object
Of adding 10 the stock OF hardy apples, and for
DO yeaIs sciOnE were distributed, and Ia this
way some desirable varieties have been secured
aud attention has been directed 10 northern
aaAlhIiA Ae az ltslUA AAulA hAAAl haLlNNh kalaE
OF hardy fruits may beiutroduced into sections
Of this country where the climate is uniayor-
able 10 Qua present varieties All the varieties
Of native grapes DI0curable have been and still
arc experimental with 10 test their rolati We
value ior various uses, and many OF these have
been distributed Do favorable localities The
Information gained IN the experiments has
also been published, and attracted attention d
important facts connected with grape culture
Besides the propagation and preservation o.
exotic plants Of gTost variety, a collection d
economic plants superior 10 any in oEistcuc,
has been made confined to those which furnish
hbor sugars, dyes starchcs, gums, oils beVcr
age. edible fruits aud medicinal products: anC
such Of these as have given promise Of success
in amy part Of the country have been propa
gated aud distributed in districts best suited {,
them Propagation and tests by the Chomica
Division, has been continued relative 10 th,
Chinese sorghum, until notable progress ha
been made undoubtedly Of great benefit 10 Ia,
sugar industry Of the country, 10 the extent o
pos Die addition Of 80 per cent 10 the yiel,
Of the area under cultivation Among tht
valuable additions 70 the fruit plants Of IN,
country is ihe Japan pceimmon, IN numerou
varieties which promises 10 be Of considerable
commercial value 10 lhe Southern States Wher
81 has been distributed. In those statos th
trees ave hardy aud prolific aud the fruit
very large in size aud Of agreeable favor
These aTo few VI the facts AZ 10 istrbutions D.,
the Department Of Agriculture which relate I
increase and variety Of production aud which
o. they involve the dissemination Of usefu
plants. etc. often otherwise than By their seed,
arc too often overlooked. still numerou
species arc brought 10 practical test as 20 utilit
iu many portions Of the United States throug
distribution Of thoirpits and seeds through IA
aforementioned Division and the scope {
seed distribution, so-called caunot be properl
appreciated without fair consideration Of th
facts Just indicated, which relate 10 an impoI
tHnt branch thereof
But TIRE POPULAR IDEA,
either approyingly or otherwise, ususally rC
lHtos 10 the Seed Division proper, and con
templates tie annual distribution by mail {
packages to aI parts Of this rather extensiy
conntiy containing the seeds Of various an