The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-17
SEEDS AND STATISTICS.
The Distribution blythe Government of These
Supplies Since 1858.

Since 1858 the United States Government
has expended In the distribution OF seeds and
in the promulgation of statistics concerning
them $3,476.S02. The cost OF seeds and of
statistics on the seed question involves an eX-
penditure now Of $150.000 a year, and all ef-
forts to restrain the activity Of bucolic Con-
gressmen in this respect have been doomed. 1t
would seem. to disappointment. In conse-
quencc. therefore. Of this partiaiity for entail
ing burdens upon the Treasury. partly for the
expenses OF the seeds. partly for the employ
ment of distributors. and partly for the ex-
penses Of tho Post Office Department, which
carries them free. q united effort was made this
year to put a stop to the practice through the
agency Of demands made by farmers for other
There was submitted to Congress in January
a petition of some Massachusetts, agricultu-
risls, who in their memorial declared that rs
Congress has been very licera!. TO the farmers
and gardeners in the matter OF free distribu.
ton OF vegetable. flower, grain and grass seed"
they were encouraged, to ask that this llber-
ality might be extended through another chan
mel. and that $4,000 be appropriated for the
Fpa pure 6 aIf%s S and q, free tsTic GI,Srn ut SD1d }HE s o td the
which every farmer. needs. but which 50 few
possess. such as bits and bit, stocks. planes.
handsawS, sets OF files. wood raSps. spoke
shaves. Smuggling hatchets,. and the like. al Of
which could be transported through the mails. y
From Nebraska there has been submitted
another protest against the seed distribution.
the form Of which is as follows:
Seeds are Supplleu 10 inc people IN hl sec
lions OF our country. the same as sugar, tea and
coffee. l can see no reason why the Government
should furnish one and not the others. Seeds
sent out by the government go in packages and
ofttimes the farmers finds more or less than he
can use. When q farmer buys seeds he pur-
chaseS just what he wants: when he receives
them from the Agricultural Department. he
must take such us may be sent. Besides l do
not believe il Is the function OF our Government
to feed or clothe the people"
From the same State the claim Is made that
the distribution OF seeds is not the thoroughly
| hnuinnppIiHa md OnntfnF-nf -fapf AMIR That Tngi-
dents Of large cities confidently suppose 1t TO
ont to his Congressman. ARE utterly worth
less. and the few of them that you got that
grow are Just as liable to be onions from n Coy
eminent package labelled turnips as not, while
geraniums for beets are often met with and
clover seed for tomatoes"
This correspondent. who seems to speak with
knowledge, declares that the whole system OF
seed distribution by the Government is a
farce and a fraud OF the worst kind and he is
reinforced in this view OF the, case by another
opponent OF the system, resident in st. Paul
who says: Poi ,
THE English language is not strong enough
to express my disgust and contempt for the
free distribution of seedS, and any labor that
can perform toward putting an end to u ma
tional shame will lie contributed gladly.
As may be seen. there would not seem to be Q
uniformity Of opinion among farmers on the
seed and seed statistics question. n0twith'
standing q contrary view OF the case which has
prevailed or has been allowed to be accepted
during many years,