The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-09
SENDING THE SEEDS AROUND.
One of the Important Functions OF
the Department of Agriculture.

the Department of Agriculture.
From the Washington Evening Star.
The report of seed distribution by the
agricultural department for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1897, has just been issued,
and contains some interesting facts and
figures. The total amount available for
the purchase and distribution of the seeds
was $4,000, of which all but 80. % was ex-
pended.
OF flower seeds. 1.O12 500 packets were
distributed, costing $500. g. Packets Of
radish seeds appeared to be most popular
in the vegetable line, as 2,161 PTS of them
were distributed costing $l2607 80. Beets
were next in favor. Packets to the num-
Der of 2,147062 We're sent out, costing Sl2,-
552. is. OF cabbases, 2,130, AIS packets were
distributed at cost of 81, 1856. 81. Lettuce
seeds to the same number were given
away by the department, and the sum of
so. asa. So was paid for them.
The large number of 2,119,0i2 packets Of
tomato seeds were sent broadcast incur
ring an expenditure of S12S46 76. Turnps
appealed apparently to the popular taste,
for ESQ 4l8 packets of them were given
out and the cost was l2,291. Onions were
well up in the demand, 1920 packets of
them being given away, while they cost
the department $l0,161.sO. Beans for Bos-
tonians and Massachusetts people gener-
ally were donated TO the total number of
| 423, 420 packets, costing $2,514.H.
The total sum expended for the 10 053,
$50 packets of vegetable seeds was $40
| 987 a.
Of tobacco seeds, $3.50 packets were dis
tributed, for which 50, 4S5 03 was paid. OF
cotton seed. $500 quarts were given away
to the farmers of the south and 81 ,2l9 80
was expended for them.
Special Agent for Inspection and Pur-
| chase of Seeds r. j. Whittleton of the
agricultural department stated to-day to
a reporter that under Secretary Morton
a new plan of purchasing the seeds had
| been observed He added:
Under Secretary RusS, by whom I was
appointed to my position, the seeds were
bought in bulk and were tested before be-
ing accepted. There was required a GER
tain percentage of termination or the
| seeds were not approved. The packing
was done by the department. Then the
| seeds were bought from twenty or more
| firms in the north and the same number
| in the south. Under Secretary Morton
only five firms were patronized last year
! i'm Richmond, Va; Philadelphia, Pa. st.
| Paul, Mimi; Memphis, Tenn, and Rock
! ford, III. Seedsmen who were not patron
| lied had occasion for complaint Secre-
tary Rusk believed in having as much
competition as possible.
OiiuCA Nllt .Iol toAl SNSttIl the SttuS
were purchased in packets Before this is
done samples are sent by the seed men to
| the department TO be examined. When
found up to the standard these samples
are accepted. The same seeds. or of the
same standard, may or may not be used
In the packages. 1t is in much the same
way as If a tailor would send out a sam
pie piece of cloth. The customer might
send back an order for a suit from the
goods of which he had a sample but the
garments might or might not be made
from the same piece Of cloth. That illus
trates my meaning.
1.-THE law appears to be mandatory. Now
in regard to purchasing the seeds in pack
cts 1t takes about 50 per cent. Of the cost
of the seeds to put them up"
The appropriation last year was $3.50,
900 for the seeds, of which $4,000 was not
used Il was stated. The apprOpria ton
this year is $4,000