The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-01-15
DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS.
Congressman Latimer Has aPIan "a
Lessen he Cost

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The Hon. A.
=. Latimor having introduced bill in
the House Of Representatives for the
distribution of agricultural seeds,
trees, shrubs, vines, cuttings and
plauts, | sought an interview with
him for the purpose of finding out what
arc the advantages to be derived from
the proposed change in the system of
distribution. In reply to my inquiry
as to how the system originated, which
is now in use, he stated that Henry
j.. Ellsworth, United States Commits
sioner'SNf Patents, in 1896, conceived
the idea<&f distributing new and i'm
proved varieties of seeds among the
farmers of the Uuited States, and con-
tinucd such distribution at his own
expense until 1889, when upon his
recommendation, Congress appropria-
ted ST. 900, to be taken from the Patent
Office funds, for the purpose of collect
ing aud distributing rare and improved
varieties OF seeds, and prosecuting
agricultural statistics. And from this
small beginning, fifty-four years ago,
the Seed Division Of tho Agricultural
Department has grown to its present
proportions; so that in the year 1892
there was appropriated the sum of
$135, 400 for the purchasing of seeds,
bulbs, cuttings and plants for gratui-
tous distribution"
"What is your estimate as to the
difference in the cost and distribution
OF seedh?"
After q thorough investigation, L
find that under the present eXtrava-
giant system of putting up and arrung
ing for the distribution of seed that it
costs the government four times as
much to prepare and distribute the
apaH IT, lDas N huv thpp
Are you in favor of distribution
of seed under u different method ?"
81 am heartily in favor of tho dis
tribution OF seed, and for any en-
couragement or benefit derived by the
agricultural interests OF our country
from this distribution, and would not
take one dollar from this appropriation
that is legitimatcly expended. 1t is
the extravagant method of preparing
and distributing them by the Agricul-
! tural Department that | propose to
remedy by the bill which 1 have in
troduced."
"What is tho cost to the govern
ment for the distribution of seed, and
what are the advantages of your bill ?"
1.-THE present Secretary of Agricul-
ture is opposed to this purchase and
distribution, and ever since he took
| charge Of Agricultural Department he
has continually recommended o reduc-
tion in the appropriation made for the
purchase of seed. As shown by his
last report for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1898, there was paid out by
the Department of Agriculture, di-
rectly for seeds, $66.548.6l and the
remainder Of the appropriation, $780,
| 600 was absorbed in the cost OF putting
them into packages and delivering
4 fhnn fN,, II fpil l,,,ft a nd fn l,n
| above operating expenses Of the Seed
| Division there must be added its fixed
charges in tho form Of statutory
salaries, amounting to $l3,520. This
| swells the annual expenditures to $143,-
$40. This does not include the ex-
penses of directing and mailing seed
sent out by she Congressman them
selves, nor the expenses to tho Post
Office Department of sending out TIT,
600 pounds OF seed. BY reckoning the
postage at the regular rate of | cent
an ounce, the bill for postage for seed
distributed would amount to 1928, 200.
1t is, therefore, safe to say that the
total expenses to the United States for
seed distribution last year was $780,
600. Now, of this $266,O00, remember
that only $3.50, 54S6l was expended in
the direct purchase OF seed, bulbs,
cuttings and plants, and over 5000, ,0U0
spent in postage and cost OF getting
the seed ready for distribution. 1t is
this extravaganza that my bill proposes
to remedy by making tho appropria-
tion direct to the agricultural colleges
and stations in each State and Ter
ritory. BY a division of this appro-
priation between the States and Terri
tories, each State and Territory would
have something over $5 900 to use Ia
experimenting with different varieties
OF seeds, bulbs, cuttings, plants, etc,
and, by using the franking privilege,
distribute them to the citizcns OF the
State, who would be benefited by this
appropriation rather than expend it in
exorbitant salaries and extravagant
methods of distribution.
| -----------sVf E
Governor Evans has expressed de.