The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-06
MORE SEED FOR THE SOUTH.
FUND FOR THAT PURPOSE NAY BE
LARGELY AUGMENTED.


Congressman LatImer VIII Try to
Get an Additional 5000. which
Will Give Each Congressman IO,-
600 Packages of Seed Instead or
5,0OO-He Also Wants More Money
for Experiments with Grasses.
This Move VIII Meet Opposition.
Washington. Feb. Spending consdera-
ton of the Agricultural Appropriation bnl.
by the House Committee on Agriculture,
Representative T.atimer is striving to have
certain amendments to that measure
adopted by the committee. which will be
of direct benefit to the farmers of South
Carolina and other agricultural states.
He proposes to double the appropriation
to be used for the purchase of seed in-
tended for distribution by members of
Congress. He will also try TO get an in
crease in the appropriation to be expend-
ed in experiments in growing grass and
other vegetation for pasturage
Under the existing law, $4,000 is appre-
priated for the seed division OF the agri-
cultural department OF that amount
$4,000 is expended for seed alone and the
balance of the appropriation is used for
clerk hire and incidental expenses con-
nected with the distribution of seed The
sum allotted to the members of the House
aggregate about $4,000. so that each rep
resentative's quota Of seed, for distri-
button among his constituents Is 5000 pack
ages. Mr.. Latimer's proposed amend
ment provides for an additional appropri-
alton of $4,000, so that each member VIII
have 10000 packages to circulate among
the farmers of his district. Strong argu-
ments have been submitted in support OF
the proposition, and the committee seems
to be favorably disposed to grant the re-
quest.
Experiments with Grasses.
The last appropriation for experiments
with grasses was $4,000, and Mr. Lati-
mer proposes to increase that amount to
$1,000. to be expended under the direction
Of the agrastoogist of the department.
In support of his amendment, Mr.. Lati-
mer says much of the farm lands in the
/ Southern states have been worn out
growing cotton, and it is desirable that
further efforts be made 10 discover such
grasses as may be successfully grown in
the Southern country, thus increasing
the facilities for converting worn out
land into pastures for cattle raising, a
growing industry all through the South.
When Secretary Wilson visited Warsaw
College, some time ago, he delivered a
speech in which he urged the farmers Of
the South to diversity their crops, and
suggested cattle raising as a profitable
substitute for some of the crops now
produced with little or no profit, in GER
tain sections. In the meantime expert
ments have been In progress, with a view
to ascertainng what grasses can be sue
cessfully grown in the Southern states.
To encourage these experiments Mr. La
timer presented to the department OF
agriculture through Secretary Wilson.
fifteen acres of ground from his own
farm. and experiments are going on
May Cause "a Warm Fight.
10 certain quarters, there is a disposition
to discontinue the experiments. and make
no further appropriation 10 be expended in
that direction, under the agrastolOgist d.
vision. In view Of the encouraging re-
suits obtained by the department. and the
universal interest in grass growing
throughout the South. the suggestion to
strike out the appropriation win not only
be stubbornly contested in the committee
and on the floor of the House, but a united
effort will be made to increase the appro-
pria ton in accordance with Mr.. Latimers
amendment. lie says Secretary Wilson is
In favor of continuing the experiments,
and agents of the department have secur-
ed samples of grass from all parts Of the
world with the hope Of finding a grass
which may be successfully and abundant
ly grown in the Southland Thus far the
experiments in cattle raising IN South Car
DINA, Georgia apd contiguous states have
been exceedingly encouraging and Their
is a prospect ahead for those farmers who
until recently were discouraged by having
large tracts Of apparently valueess lands
upon which they are obliged to pay taxe..
A concerted movement is going forward
in Congress, in behalf of the cultivation
of pasture lands in that section and any
opr,osition to the continuance of pending
experiments will be resisted in che House
and the Senate.