Gilpin observer., 1900-05-17
NEW SEEDS TO BE TRIED
Secretary Wilson Intends Ex'
plotting Untested Varieties.
RICE III SOUTHERN STATES.

Value of Crop Increased by Intro
duction of New Variety-American
Farmers Giving More Attention to
Its Culture In Artilcinlly Flooded
Swamps-Extent of Seed Distribu-
tion.
The Hon. James Wilson, secretary
of the department Of agriculture at
Washington, is now preparing that
part of his report which treats of the
free seed distribution. Few govern
ment expenditures SO small as this is
in the aggregate-about S13O,O00 an
nually-have occasioned SO much ad-
verse comment. Secretary Morton,
who made determined effort TO shut
off the free seed distribution, found
that, in spite of all his endeavors, the
appropriation had been increased and
distribution made mandatory.
Secretary Wilson does not intend to
antagoniZe congress by campaign
against the free seed distribution. He
would also like to avoid the hostility
of the seedmen which the practice in
vites and so has worked out a plan
which he believes will accomplish both
Of these objects, says the Chicago In
ter Ocean. He will go back to the
new and unusual varieties" which
were originally contemplated in the
appropriation and distribute the va
rieties of seed which the commercial
seedmen for one reason or another are
not handling-the experimental seeds
which have not gained a foothold.
The departments agents who are en-
gagged in tireless search for new and
improved varieties in all parts of the
world bring in many interesting specf-
mems. When one of their new varie-
ties has been tested by the department
scientists and found promising, it will
be distributed in the appropriate sec
tions of the country and its value prac-
tically demonstrated. After n species
has gained n foothold the seedmen
may be trusted to take care of the cur
rent demand. and with it the depart
ment will not further compete.
In this field Secretary Wilson be-
lieves there Is ample work for the de-
partment without distributing ordinary,
time tried cabbage and turnip seed.
There is enough room in improved
grasses alone to absorb to advantage
the entire appropriation that the gov
ernment allows for seed. In rice, of
interest In the south, the introduction
of one new variety which is now grow
ing successfully is said to have n COM
mercial value of S1,000,000 n year to
the American producers.
1t seems that broken rice sells for 2
cents n pound less than the head rice,
and in old varieties there is n breakage
of at least 40 per cent. The depart
ment recently introduced some Japa-
nese rice called Kiu Shu, in which the
average of breakage from this years
experiments has been only II per cent.
1t is a better quality. besides. and is
decidedly more productive to the acre.
This saving of 2 cents q pound on %
per cent of the crop will amount to
$S00,000 year. 1t is estimated that
the Introduction Of this variety has
cost the government $1,000.
Secretary Wilson is greatly interest
ed in the new American method Of
cultivating rice In an artificial swamp,
which can be drained Off when har-
vesting time arrives, SO as to permit
the use Of labor saving machinery.
This was the idea of some northern
farmers who went to Louisiana few
years ago. They wanted to raise rice,
but were not content with the hand
labor by which 1t had always been nee
essary to harvest 1t, and SO they Great
ed a swamp which would be under
their control.
Mr.. Wilson on his recent trip saw one
piece Of prairie into which 100000 gal
an amount % per cent greater than
that which is to go out Of Lake Michi-
gan into the Chicago drainage canal
In southern Louisiana, where the coun-
try is widely cut up by rivers and
bayous. this sort of Irrigation is very
easily accomplished, either by gravity |
flow or by the use Of windmills. In this
way the rice can grow In its natural
condition, and when II Is mature the
water can be turned OF. the ground al.
lowed to dry and machine reapers and
binders put to work. .ksses.~--
The magnitude Of the congressional
seed distribution Ii clearly seen by the
report Of the last fiscal year. which |
shows It to have aggregated 15.702.014
paper and cloth bags. as follows: Yege-
table. papers, l4,243,527; flower. pa.
pers. l,254,037; field, papers and bags.
2O5. $50. OF the 15.7O2.014 papers and
bags Of seeds distributed, Ia. 500. .5s8 pa.
pers and cloth sacks Of vegetable and
other seeds were distributed to senators,
representatives and delegates In con-
gress (by their allotments). 751,17O pa
pers Of flower and vegetable seeds to
correspondents OF the division of sta.
tistlcs and $50, AGO papers and bags Of
vegetable. flower and field seeds to the |
state oranges. The remainder was dis. |