New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-06
FREE SEED DISTRIBUTION.
CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT UNDER TIE
PRESENT ADMINIsTRATIoN-BEN
FITTING FARMERS.

Vashinqton Dec & (SpeciaD.-The strongest
work which the Department or Agriculture 10"
done since President McKinleys Inauguration ma
nee, re management Of the seed distribution
For the last ten years there has oeeh se"eia
cry among observant farmers and farm Journals
against the free seed distribution. Secretary MOT
ton asserted that the practice was worse IMAM
,yos,e NJ government money and tirne' ~ was az
absolute disadvantage to the farmer reeeNi"s '
sAed and he proceeded to shut IL do"h' Inc jug
reeuI, he obtained was mandatory oruei HVi'
Conress 70 continue the distribution. 1t being evil
dent that Congressman proposed TO get the credit
y, making personal distribution among their con-
stttuents The present Secretary found upon COM
ing into office a fund OF $4,000 year for the free
seed distribution. lie announced his intenuon 10
continue seed distribution. according to the wish Oh
Congress but he explained that he would send
such seeds as would be valuable for certain local.
ties Then he proceeded TO cut down expenses In
seed contracts established seed testing division
and held seedsmen strictly to account Tor purity
and germinative quality Of seeds, so that now not
only do Congressman get as many packages Oh
seeds as ever and Of better quality than ever De-
fore but the Secretary saves enough money OUT OF
this $4,000 appropriation to keep number OF ex-
porers in remote corners OF the world, sending IN
new and rare seeds and plants which II IL though'
may be valuable to American farmers
"Not n cent" said the Secretary. docs Congress
appropriate for this purpose. and yet DeheVe we
have spent nearly $4,000 in the last year III 'iiiS
way If we had not made our contracts ior our
next lot OF seeds last spring on the racine ooas,
the seeds bought this fall would have cost VI
eos 900 more The Of prosperity mas Doouleu
in the price of seeds, well as other thlhgs, a.o
| thought l saw * coming when / CohuaC'eu "
have grown the seeds would want -. O.,
'Can Congressman never be convinced, MI o 81.
retary that il Is not for the good OF the country
for them TO distribute free seeds! ,,.,,..t.,
NO you will never abolish free seed Distribution
but | will tell you what can be done Inc dstrp9.
lion OF a new seed which will be OF actual beheli
10 the farmer for experiment can be SUBSTITUTE
in place Of sending him package OF bTeakIas'
radishes every year. There IL not farming Sc,
ton in the United States that cannot be lnprpEeu
by the iatroduction Of crops, but II VIII De a
gradual matter TO get farmers and Congressman 70
took at the matter in this light and TO suost'uoe s
free good seeds for common kinds. / tred 10 set
some of the Virginia members TO send OUT lcla
vilosa seeds last year. They wouldn't t0uch II,
] sent out some TO Virginia farmers; ana they are
delighted with IT forage; feeding on IL Ma3
up into winter Next year Virginia Cohgressitffe
will get demands for Viola villosa. MS sort u
plan would be scientific distribution OF seed as
we could send Turkestan alfalfa All through une
Northwest where winter Kills the ordinary auala
We have found a rice In Japan Whlch NAY menn
millions Of dollars to the South we VIII ma cIuIS
for the rich moist Savannah country, ana we WI,
find crops for the arid sandy stretches. but yet
concluded the Secretary, Congress mas never yet
directly appropriated cent for this WORK, anu W.
have to shave and pare to make SEED distribution
a thing Of benefit TO the country.