The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1901-04-06

Plea for the Agricultural De
partment.
Washington Post.
A correspondent. who signs him
self oh. c. Perkins" and writes
from King George, Va, under date
Of 2oth of March, asks US to pub.
lish, "for the enlightenment of our
Senators and Representatives in
Congress-" the following powerful
statement:
I'm the distribution of seed from the
Agricultural Department there Is certainly a
screw loose somewhere. We send to our
Senators, &C.. for some useful seed, and the
department always sends package radish,
1 package lettuce, 1 package onions, 1
package watermelon-none of which we
need. In the last three years they have
sent to my neighborhood enough of the
above named seed to SOW the whole of
Cuba. As for cabbage, tomato, squash,
salad, or any useful seed, they never send
any. suppose they are kept for favorites
or for sale. Prior to three years ago we
got plenty of useful seed. If this thing is
pense with the Agricultural Department as
far as distribution of seed is concerned.
There is more darned rascality in some
branches of our government than in any
other civilized power on earth.''
This is not the first complaint
we have heard in the matter of seed
1t leads US to suspect
that a great many of our farmers are
not getting satisfaction as regards
either quality or quantity in this re-
spect. But Mr.. Perkins should
bear in mind the fact that perhaps
the department has not been made
with his preferences.
Many estimable agriculturists like
to have onions and watermelons
about the house. Beefsteak with
onions is mighty good
eating, and if you object to the
smell, read a dime novel or an al
will take your breath
away. We do not wish to under
rate cabbage or squash. Far from
it. We know of nothing dalntier
than cabbage with pot-liquor on the
side; and as for squash, it is GER
family great for pie. We fancy that
Mr.. Perkins, as broad minded
citizen. is not so hostile to onions
and watermelons as his letter might
cad us to suppose. If asked to
make a guess, we should say that it
IS the monotony of the thing he oh
ects to, and that he would in time
become equally dissatisfied with
IN eternal regiment of squash and
What Mr.. Perkins needs,
aud what he ought to kick for till
ne gets it, is rotation. Variety is
he spice of life. Change of menu
brings happiness to the humblest
nome.
We protest right here, however,
against any proposition to abolish
me Agricultural Department. This
seed business can lie Strengthened
out in time by concerted action on
The part of the farmers. They need
only get together, tell their repre-
in Congress what they
war t, and they'll get 1t, never fear.
we call Mr.. Perkins at
tention to the fact that the depart
ment does not live for seeds alone.
Think, for instance, of the Bureau
Of Animal Industry, and contem-
plate it's ever widening usefulness.
Consider hog cholera, foot and
disease, bots, pip, hollow
horn, and charbon. May we add,
Remember what the
bureau has done for US, with it's re-
searches, its pictures of bad livers
and of lungs that have seen better
days. Do not forget that we owe
to this bureau the enlightened dog
laws of year or SO ago. No, no;
leave us the Bureau of Animal In
dustry, and concentrate upon seeds.
Is Your Life Worth so Cents?