The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-08-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

ton of seeds on the orders of individual
congressman, and with the view of in
surfing to the people and to the members
of Congress the largest and most profit
able return for this sum, the Secretary of
Agriculture has instructed its expenditure
to, Prof Beverly T. Galloway, chief of the
the Bureau of Plant Industry. The con-
tract 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 iu 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 of the distribution
of large number of seedsmen's novel
ties. These will be sent out with direc-
tons for their cultivation and the ad-
dresses of the originators, so that those
having tested the seed who 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 distribution
will be made valuable to the scotsman
instead of an injury to his business as has
heretofore been the case.
Another feature of the scheme perfected
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.
A further development of the same idea
leads Prof. Galloway to arrange for the
distribution of number of tiny trees to
the schools. BY their means the first
principles of forestry will be instilled into
the minds Of the pupils, ands i'll many
instances the surroundings of the village
schoolhouse will be materially improved
OF course all seeds, ETC., will be distrib-
uted on the orler of members of Con
gress, but the Professor has little doubt
that his plans will be approved by those
gentlemen.
From a commercial standpoint the most
beneficial feature of the new order will
consist of the introduction of new vari-
cites 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 to
procure. The best varieties of macaroni
| wheat and rice will also be included. Last
year the farmers of this country spent
$500, 900 for imported sugar beet seed.
The Department has succeeded in grow
ing beets in this country which yield 81
per cent of sugar, and in raising seed
therefrom, and that Sc ed will be made a
part of the distribution. The cotton seed
will be from the carefully bred crosses of
Sea Island and upland cottons which
yield superior staple and are excep,
tionally resistant 10 disease. What mac
aroni wheat has profited the farmers of
the northwest is we'll known and seed of
the best varieties will be distributed. In
a word, every effort will be made to
render the congressional seed distribution
judicious aud profitable expenditure of
the public funds.
*x*
There is still much talk of a special
session of the Senate 10 be called in No
vember to ratify the treaty which has
been negotiated by the State Department
and the Cuban Minister Senior Quesada
1t is now claimed bv those familiar with
International law that although the pro-
visions of the Plat amendment have been
made an appendix to the Cuban constitu.
ton, that amendment will not be binding
on Cuba until it has been made the sub
ject of treaty agreement between the
United States and Cuba. This would
give added weight to the rumors of a
special session and those who predict that
such will be held claim that the session
will be called to ratify a treaty confirm
ing the provisions of the Plat amendment
and that reciprocal provisions will be
added as an appendix to the treaty If
such session is called, au earnest con-
test against the ratification of reciprocal
treaty, or one containing provisions for
the modification of the present tariff
schedules will be made by those who
either oppose Cuban recipi ocity or who
do not consider that it is within the pre-
rogative of the Senate TO alter a tariff
schedule without the consent of the
House.
w
A report has reached Washington to
the effect that the President has made up
his slate for the appointment of the CON-
mission which will supervise the construc-
tion OF the Panama canal. According TO
this report the personnel of the commits.
sion is to be largely the same as was that
of the Isthmian Canal commission At
the head will be Admiral Walker and
with him will be associated George S
Morrison, Lieut.-Col. Oswald H. Ernst,