The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-08
SEED DISTRIBUTION.
The Proposed Change In the Method ~
the Department Of Agriculture.

The Proposed ChGnSe IN tEle hActAosA ~
the Department Of Agriculture.
Tt has been proposed that all seeds,
bulbs, shrubs, vines. cuttings and plants
purchased and propagated by the secre-
tary Of agriculture, as required by law,
shall be distributed to the agricultural
experiment. stations in the several states
and territories, to be by them redlstrlb-
uted to such persons as shall engage te
make full tests of the same under the
direction of the stations and to furnish
the stations with written reports OF
these tests on blanks to be provided by
the secretary of agriculture, and he
shall allot to such agricultural expert
ment stations as make application tc
him such amounts from any funds APP
propriated under the provisions OF this
act as may seem to him advisable tt
enable the stations to purchase seeds,
bulbs, trees, shrubs, vines, cuttings and
plants for distribution, in the manner
aforesaid and to pay the expenses OF
such distribution, with due regard te
the varying conditions and needs OF the
respective states and territories.
For the present wasteful and extrava-
CANT distribution of seeds it is proposed
to substitute limited distribution OF
new and rare varieties through the sta.
lions. These stations are in charge OF
trained experts who are familiar with
the needs of their respective localities.
In cooperation with the United States
department. of agriculture the stations
can easily ascertain what new and rare
varieties are available and can select
such kinds of seed as will be most like
ly to give good results in their respective
localities. They will be able to engage
the services of competent farmers, who
will make full tests Of the seed under
directions given by the stations. The re-
suits of these tests will be distributed
in the bulletins of the stations, which
are regularly issued to more than 800,
900 persons directly connected with the
agricultural industry, and which are
largely quoted by thousands of agricul-
tural and other papers. In this way, al
a comparatively small expense, it will
be practicable to secure whatever useful
results are possible through the distri,
button of seeds.
The proposed bill to regulate the dis.
tribution of seeds through the expert.
ment stations takes into account the fact
that the needs of different communities
in this direction vary greatly. In many
states, particularly i'll the north anc
east, it is comparatively easy for the
farmers to obtain seeds even of varieties
which are new and rare. In certain re-
gions of the south and west, on the 9th
er hand, there is great need for tho in
PRODUCTION of better varieties than are
now used Or for experimental tests *
determine what kinds of plants viii
grow best n those regions. 1t is there
fore left with the secretary Of agsicul
ture to determine, after consultation with
the officers Of the experiment stations,
to what extent seeds shall be distributed
in any particular. locality.
While under the present plan almost
no reports of any value are received, the
stations will be able to get many definite
reports, and through the publication Of
results in their bulletins will not only
carry direct information regarding the
seeds distributed to the farmers, but
will also call their attention to the de
STABILITY of the Investigation of crops
in many regions, and thus aid in the
development of our agriculture. Along
with the results of the test the stations
will undoubtedly publish information
regarding the proper culture and man
agement of such plants as tests have
shown to be useful in their respective
localities. -.,..---