New-York tribune., 1902-08-22
FREE SEEDS FOR FARMERS.
CONGRESS MEMBERS CHANCE TO IN
CREASE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. J

CREASE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEJ
washington. Aug. 2L-Disregarding the numerous
protests filed by seedsmen and agricultural socie-
ties Congress- at the last session, appropriated
$4,000 for the annual seed distribution and practi-
caIly instructed the Secretary of Agriculture 10 "
vest that amount in seeds to be sent out on the
orders of Individual members Of Congress Sec[e-
tary Wilson has turned his attention 10 the
nerfecting of a system whereby the Distribution
might be made of the utmost utility TO
to the members of Congress. and benenclal 10 soie
extent to American seed dealers. Abrogaune Ihe
custom of awarding contract for the total sum
tn such seed dealers might submit the 4o"es'
HID the Secretary has ntrusted the purchase or the
seeds to the bureau Of plant Industry anu II VIII
be carried into effect by experts Inc most III
proved machinery has been purchased anu VIII
soon be installed In the buildings OF the oepa1t
ment Bv its use manual labor will be reduced 10
q minimum the seed being weighed, tnclosed IN
envelopes and five of the smaller envelopes lhcoSeN
in larger by single machlne <Aio'nel no
chine will attach TO the larger envelope 'ie az
dressed labels of franks furnished by the Congress
men. :,
The seeds plants etc, be sent out VIII be oi-
vided into three principal classes (noVelty seeuS
sna nlantsl sent to the public schools. ana tle
ordinarv garden seed such has been dlstrlDu'eo
IN the last years. AS the seed business OF 'he
country has developed II has become custoInal!
for retail seedsmen TO procure their seeo -
growers who specialists confnfng theii efA'
n one or a few vegetables or flowers. These spe-
cia1ists are constantly producing new varieties
...,or-s as they are known technically; mover
ties As they are listed IN the catalogues Inc
ARRANGEMENTS for this years distributor pIoEtHe
that rbe allotment made 10 each member OF Con
eress shall contain 500 packages. each containing
Eve packets Of novelties" These packets VIII oe
acoon,nanfed bv directions for growing and the
name OF the grower, with the statement lhal u
the recipients find after a trial the novelty Is
worthy OF further attention ne can oo'<i'iI 4i4o-
seed from the grower By this means 1t is believed
nat an extensive trial will be obtained for each
novelty and material benefit win accrue TO the
grower or to the retail scotsman VINO contracts
for his product DR.. Galloway, chief or the bureau
nder whose special direction the seed distribution
will be made states that by next year the depart
rosnt will ne able to secure a sufficient number OF
novelties TO permit OF the allotment OF 100 pack
ages to each member Of Congress
MORE CHANCES FOR CROPS
A subdivision under the head of novelties will
include the seed for number Of new varieties OF
farm crops which the department desires TO bring
n the attention of farmers. In this class Will De
i,cluded sugar beets tobacco. cotton wheat. rice
and forage crops The sugar beet seed Will be
American grown. from beets which nave proouceu
q per cent of sugar. Heretofore practically all
sugar beet seed has been imported, the total I'M
ports Of that commodity amounting last year 10
$4,000 If equal or better seed can be grown at
home the saving to American farmers Will prove
material The cotton seed Will be from pants
bred under the direction OF the scientists OF the
department. They are a cross between the sea
Island and the upland cottons. and combine the
long staple Of the former with the 'hf "a '-o
latter. -.
The tobacco seed will be selected IN the hght OF
the success attained by the department experts IN
connecticut and will be sent with the special hope
of locating soils which will produce satisfactory
Allers TO use with the Connecticut grown sunatra
wrappers -
The wheat will be known as the macarohi va
-istv which has already been introduced 10 some
extent in the Northwest, and mas yleioeo eA0ei
+,onal nrohts to the growers. The rice VIII De OF
,r,n-oved varieties especially adapted 10 the con-
ditions in the rice growing States The forage
cron seeds Will include the velvet nean ior 'iio
Southern States, sorghum for the Middle STATES
With T,rkestan alfalfa TO procure which professor
Ernest Bessy of the department is now IN TURK
ae+., for the Northwest The seed Of the Varie-
ties mentioned will be distributed only IN stna4i
quantities. and the farmers will De te1erIeo @ 70
IS boned to make the distribution benefit to the
SEED aio6yoent Of the seed distribution which
&c in line both with Secretary Wilson's desire that
least the elementary M PTncIptsSb seboo eeurse and
nth +he growing favor with which mature stuoy
Is TEaTfiea TO sc6ooIs TO each member Con
gress will be allotted special packages OF seSGS
for presentation TO the schools OF ms oId'e VI us
lii'' SELECTION OF SEEDS.
These seeds will be selected with view TO their
adaptability TO growth in window boxes or sInaH
gardens 1t is believed by the secretary that the
growing plants can be made the basis or teacnlng
the first principles of agriculture and that they
will afford the greatest assistance 20 teachers IN
the popular nature study. From the termination
of the sown seed TO maturing a constant series
of practical object lessons will be afforded, ana
the use Of the living plant Will serve 70 hN IN lhe
pupils memory a vast amount OF information.
while the care of the little gardens viii train the
power of observation.
In This connection a small number OF uny trees
aside for donation to the schools Doth
Wi view affording means OF educating the
pupils and extent of beautlfy1ng the school
grounds.
OF course il will fall TO the members Of Congress
TO sanction this feature Of the programme ar
ranged by Secretary Wilson as to them is Ieft the
designation Of the recipients OF the seeds, trees.
etc; but, speaking from practical knoWledge OF
politics the Secretary asserts that every senator
and Representative win quickly recognize the ad-
vartages to be gained by making friends Of the
children Mr. Wilson also anticipates that this
feature Of the distribution VIII prove extremely
9ect fayora bly upon the Congressman who remem-
hers the schools of his district
one other feature of the seed distribution, as re
organized this year. consists Of the arbitrary divi
sion of the country into districts TO each or
which will be sent only seeds sultab TO that
locality BY this means the sending or cotton SEED
70 Maine or of tobacco to North Dakota one or the
errors of former years which have made the seed
distribution ridiculous and unpopular, VIII be