The evening times., 1896-12-12
.REGULAT|NG SEED TRADE.
Bill introduced by Mr.. Cook Of
Wisconsin.
VIOLATION IS MADE CRIMINAL
Importation of Seeds Mixed With
Thistle Forbidden and All Dealers
Required to ii ave Their Goods
Tested and to Furnish Guarantee
ofPurity and Termination.

A bill introduced in the House by Mr..
Cook OF Wisconsin opens up work, If it
becomes law, for a number of specialists
in the science Of botany.
1t would probably add to the varied and
extensive operations of the Department
of Agriculture a division which would at
tempt to do for seeds what the Bureau OF
Animal Industry is doing for meats.
Inspectors would be stationed at nearly
all the leading cities. Its list OF employ
es would not be nearly SO large as that OF
the bureau named, because there would
not bt. nearly so much work 10 do; but the
offices would need TO be maintained, and
men of high scientific attainment engaged
To make the Investigations required.
Owing TO the rapid increase of the per
Centare of Americans who are libcrally
educated, the expense TO obtain botanists
of sufficient Information and scientific
training would not be very great. Proha-
bly, 81 200 year would be enough for
the annual salary, and the success of Tie
Civil Service Commission n securing high
grade WORK for little money Justifies the
belief that the experiment would be tried
at 81 900 to begin with. That is the al
lowance TO experts in the examination Of
meats i'll the government inspection.
FORBIDDEN IMPORTS.
Mr.. Cooks bill is to regulate the iinporta-
ton and sale of agricultural seeds. ltis in
tended to prevent the bringing into tins
country of seeds that contain 10y mixture any
seed OF pcstiferous weeds, and to gain for
the housekeeper who has garden as well
a for The farmer seed of guaranteed W orth
The first section provides that no grass,
clover or other forage plant seeds imported
shall con, ain mixed with them any dcdder,
thistle, Wild onion, erSot, wild flax, wild
carrot, plantain, wild cress cookie, chess,
quack grass, pennycress, prlckly lettuce
or wild mustard.
To carry out this provision, forageseed is
allowed to come into this country only at
Boston. Philadelphia. New York, and Balti.
more, and ar these places under the regula-
lions made by tire Secretary Of A sriculture
in concurrence with the Secretary of the
Treasury. Inspection by skilled experts is
prescribed by tine bill as part of the course
of entry.
1t is further made unlawful to cffer for
sale any seed of forage plants containing
germs of the weeds named.
Again, allseeds put ON the market IN pack
ages, containing pound or more, whether
in bdlS or in bags, except the seeds of trees,
shrubs and ornamental plants, must be dc-
companied by written or printed guar
antec of the percentage of purity and
termination.
WRITTEN GUARANTEE.
Packages less than one pound must le
marked IN plain and distinct letters. with
tile name OF the seed ana guarantee Of
purity and termination. Failure 10 do this
is made a niisdemeanor, punishable with
a fine from $50 TO 81 90 or thirty days TO
six months imprisonment. An allowance
of > per cent below the guarantee on forage
plants and 8 per cent on other seeds is al
lowed.
Tests of seeds for dealers may be made
by themselves or by the Department Of
Agriculture under department regulations.
Purchasers of seeds for planting by them
selves are given the privilege OF having
tests of seeds made by the Department Of
Agriculture or the experiment stations un-
der reasonable regulations. Results Of tests
are to be published, along with the names
of the firms from whom the seeds were
purchased. The stations must also pub
lish standards of purity and termination Of
seeds.
Sale of seeds containing the prescribed
plant germs is punishable by fine OF S2nO
to $500 and one years imprisonment. All
other violations of the law a re punishable by
$50 to 500 fine or thirty days TO six
months in Jail except the prohibited I'M
portation has no penalty whatever affixed.