The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-08-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, Aug. IS, 1902.
By special provision of the agricultu-
raj appropriation bill, the department OF
agriculture is obliged to expend this year
the sum of $27O, 600 for the distribution
| of seeds on the orders of individual con-
gressmen, and with view to insuring to
the people and to the members OF con-
gress the largest and most profitable re-
turn for this sum, the secretary OF agri-
culture has intrusted its expenditure to
Prof. Beverly T. Galloway, chief Of the
bureau of plant industry. The contract
system, by which an effort was made to
secure the largest possible amount of
seed, apparently irrespective Of quality,
has been abandoned. Hereafter, seeds
will be purchased by experts In Prof.
Galloway's bureau and will be- the best
obtainable. For purposes of distribution
the country has been divided into seven
districts, and to each will be sent only
seeds suitable to the locality. A new
feature will be introduced, one more In
accordance with the original intention of
the law. 1t will consist In the distribu-
ton of large number of seedsmen's nov-
elites. These will be sent out with direc-
tions for their cultivation and the ad-
dresses of the originators, so that those
who, having tested the seed, find the new
variety to possess merit, will know where
to procure more. By this means the ex-
tensive testing of many new varieties will
be accomplished, and the free distrlbu-
tion will be made valuable to the seeds
man, instead Of an injury to his business,
as has heretofore been the case. The
number of novelties secured for this years
distribution will not permit of an allot-
ment exceeding 500 packages to each con-
gressman, but it is hoped that by next
year the allotment may be tripled.
Another feature of the scheme perfect
ed by Prof. Galloway consists In sending
large number of packages to the schools
of the country. The seeds will be grown
in window gardens and small plats of
land, and it Is believed will prove of ma
terial assistance to the teachers in incit-
ing interest in that nature study which is
| being extensively advocated as an advis-
able part Of the ordinary school course.
Nature study, which Prof. Galloway de-
Rro cfv1Ax ~ tn
tradistinction to dead things, calls forth
| every faculty of the pupil, and affords en-
tertainment as we'll as instruction. At
every stage, from the termination of the
seed to the maturing of the blossom or
the new seed, the growing plant affords
interesting lessons In many sciences, and
the intelligent teacher will find little diff
Guilty In imparting vast store of informa-
tion to her charge, information which
will remain with the learner from the fact
that Its reception was associated with :
|lfying thing.
A further development of the same idea
leads Prof. Galloway to arrange for the
distribution of a number of tiny trees to
the schools. By their means the first
principles of forestry will be installed In
to the minds of the pupils, a love for
trees will be cultivated, and, in many In
stances, the surrounding of the village
school house will be materially improved.
OF course, all seeds, etc., will be distrib-
uted on the order Of members of congress,
but the professor has little doubt that his
plans will be approved ty those gentle.
men, as it Is a we'll recognized fact that
no support Is more useful to the aspiring
politician than that of the children, who
will never tire of singing the praises OF
the member or senator who has made
their little gardens possible.
From commercial standpoint, the
most beneficial feature of the new order
will consist of the introduction of new
varieties of grains and forage plants, etc
This year especial attention will be paid
to sugar beets, cotton, tobacco and forage
crops, including the Turkestan alfalfa
which Prof. Bessy has gone to Asia te
procure. The best varieties of macaron
wheat and rice will also be included
Last year the farmers of this country
spent $500, 900 for imported sugar beef
seed. The department has succeeded iI
growing beets In this country which ytelG
81 per cent. of sugar, and In raising seee
therefrom, and that seed will be made 9
part Of the distribution. The cotton seeG
will be from the carefully bred crosses o.
Sea Island and upland cottons, which
yield superior staple and are exception
ally resistant to disease. What macaron
wheat has profited the farmers of the
northwest Is well known, and seed OF tht
best varieties will be distributed. In {
word, every effort will be made to render
the congressional seed distribution ju
dicious and profitable expenditure of pub
lie funds.
i There is still much talk of specia
session of the senate to be called In No
vember, to ratify the treaty which ha.
been negotiated by the state department
and the Cuban minister, Senior Quesada
1t Is now claimed by those familiar will
International law that although the pro
visions Of the Platt amendment have beer
made an appendix TO the Cuban constitu
uon, that amendment will not be binding
on Cuba until 1t has been made the sub
jeet of treaty agreement between th,
United States and Cuba. This would Civ,
added weight to the rumors Of specia
session, and those who predict that sucl
will be held claim that the session will b.
called to ratify treaty confirming th'
provisions of the Platt amendment, ant
that reciprocal provisions will be addet
as an. appendix to the treaty. IL such