Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1895-02-22
SEED
the PropOsed Change In the Method by
the Department of Agriculture.

A"o IFoPosed ChanGe In the Method by
the Department of Agriculture.
IL has been proposed that all seeds,
pulbs, 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
territories, to be by them redistrib-
uted to such persons as shall engage to
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 to
MIN such amounts from any funds ap-
propriated under tho provisions of this
act as may seem to him advisable to
nable tho stations to purchase seeds,
bulbs, trees, shrubs, vines, cuttings and
plants for distribution, in tho manner
aforesaid and to pay the expenses of
such distribution, with due regard to
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 a limited distribution OF
new and rare varieties through the sta
lions. These stations arc 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
~ 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 tho bulletins of the stations, which
are regularly issued to moro than $780,
600 persons directly. connected with the
agricultural industry, and which are
largely quoted by thousands of agricul-
tural and other papers. In this way, at
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 tho dis
trlbutlon Of seeds through the expert
ment stations takes into account the fact
that the needs of different communities
III This direction vary greatly. In many
states, particularly in the north and
east, 1t IS comparatively easy for the
farmers to obtain seeds even of varieties
which arc new and rare. In certain re-
glons OF the south and west, on the 9TH
er hand, there is great need for the in
PRODUCTION Of better varieties than are
now used or for experimental tests to
determine what kinds of plants will
grow best i'll those regions. 1t is there
1oro left with the secretary of agricul-
turo to determine, after consultation with
tho officers Of the experiment stations,
to what extent seeds shall be distributed
III 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 i'll their bulletins will not only
carry direct information regarding the
seeds distributed to the farmers, but
Will also call their attention to the dc
STABILITY Of the diversitication OF CROPS
III many regions, and thus aid in the
development of our agriculture. Alonc
with the results Of The test the station,
Will n~ndonbtcdly publish information
regarding the proper culture and man.
agemcnr of such plants rs tests have
shown t" be useful in their respective
localitiu~.