The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-06-29
SEEDS FOR THE FARMERS.
THEIR DISTRIBUTION BY THE
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT..
Collecting and Testing Seeds-A
Large Force Employed i'm Their
Distribution-Much Good Done.

Large Force Employed I'm Their
Distribution-Much Good Done.
TTHE Seed Division Of the Agri-
cultural Department, at Wash
ington, annually distributes
several million packages of
flower, vegetable and tree seeds. john
Quincy Adams inaugurated the system
when he requested the consuls of the
United States to procu.e and forward to
the State Department all such seeds ~
plants as they thought could be culti-
waited successfully in their own country.
1t is only recently, however, that system
attic efforts have been made TO collect
valuable seeds from all parts Of the
world by the United States Agricultural
Department, and to distribute them gen.
orally throughout the different States.
To-day the Agricultural Department is
of great importance to the country, and
its effective work in experimenting with
farm crops and issuing valuable scien-
tific bulletins, cannot be over estimated
by the farming classes Of the Nation. The
Seed Division sends out annual reports
as to what seed are of the greatest value
in certain sections, and then it supple.
ments this advisory work by supplying
the farmers with great quantities of pure
seeds such as are recommended by their
bulletins.
The collection of these tons of seeds is
interesting. In special cases the Gov
ernment has its own seed farms, where
certain varieties are cultivated and gath
cred with great care; but the vast ma.
jority are purchased by special contract
from large seed growers. Responsible
seed growers give guarantee that their
seed will reach a certain standard of
purity, vitality and cleanness, and the
Department reserves the right to reject
them if they do not stand the Govern
ment test.
The seeds are tested in a patent seed
tester first, and then in propagating
house, and finally by the botanist of the
Seed Division. If ninety per cent. of
them germinate they are accepted as
worthy of distribution, and in certain
cases Of rare plants they simply have to
approximate from seventy-fve to eighty
five per cent. The Government agents
visit the various seed farmers in the
country, and if their work appears favor
able they are allow to offer bid for
certain quantities of seeds which appear
to thrive well on their farms.
Congress annually appropriates a suf-
ticient sum for the purchasing and dis
tribution of these seeds. The first real
onpronriatiop for tb;o xuorly ,,,os IN 1890
and amounted only to $1,000, which was
to be taken from the Patent Office funl.
This sum was gradually increased each
year until 1S5 !, when it reached $685.
600 year, but to-day it is 500, 900,
which is by no means too much.
The distribution of the seeds has al
ways been matter of difficulty, and
with every Administration the question
has been brought up for discussion. The
method adopted to-day is somewhat
complicated one, but it appears to give
satisfaction. The seeds are distributed
through Senators and Members of Con.
gress, experiment stations and agricultural
colleges of the different States, county
and State statistical agents, agricultural
societies, and to miscellaneous applicants.
Through these various agencies about
five million packages of seeds are dis
tributed to the farmers in all parts of the
country. -.s,.
The seeds are sent through the post.
office free. and the average weight for
the past few years distributed through
the mail department has been 200 tons.
A force of about 100 men has been re-
quired to pack and mail the seeds that
have been sent out in this way.
The value of the Seed Division is ap-
parent on every side. Nearly all plants
that can possibly be grown in this coun-
try have been introduced from abroad,
and the Government has taken special
pains to collect, not only the finest speci-
mems OF the seeds but the latest aud most
trustworthy accounts of their cultivation.
From Japan, China, Persia and South
America rare and little known fruits
have been brought here aud are now be-
ing cultivated successfully in Florida and
California. Our hothouses and floral es-
Establishments are full of rare plants that
were never seen upon this continent ten
or fifteen years ago.
But the good accomplished has not
halted in any department. The wheat,
corn and vegetable products have been
enhanced through the efforts of the
Superior varieties Of all
of these plants have been recommended
and distributed by the Government for
certain sections of the land aud the
yield per acre has been increased nearly
one-tifth in many States.
We are pre-eminently . a land of
farmers. Our chief industry is farming,
and the cooperation OF the Government
in forwarding the interests of this work
has been a successful experiment. Every
spring and summer the seeds of superior
merit are planted by the farmers all over
the country, and their successful crops
prove the efficiency of science and intel
Iigence in farming,-New York Inde.
pendent.