The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-21
SEED DISTRIBUTION.
Government Will Make the
Largest One in Its History.

Washington, July 21.-The largest an
nual seed distribution ever made by the
government will be begun early this
fall. Some important changes in the
plan OF conducting this distribution will
be established by the department of
agriculture. With a view of handling
the seed to better advantage the coun-
try has been divided into six districts,
and seeds and plants particularly
adapted to each district will be distribu-
ted therein at an earlier time than here
tofore..
In years past much excitement has
been made by the people of receiving
seed too late in the season to be of par
ticular good. The department has not
been responsible for this condition. but
the fault lay with the congressman
who, to a large extent. were tardy in
making out their lists for their quota
It is expected to overcome this condi-
ton by commencing the distribution
three months earlier than has been the
this year will commence the first of
September.
There will be- as usual a distribution
of miscellaneous vegetable seeds, and in
addition it is planned to furnish linn
tied number of packages of novelties
that is, seeds OF varieties either new or
little known, and of peculiar merit, for
distribution in each locality The mis-
cellaneous seeds will be put up as US
ual, five packets in a package, and each
senator, member and delegate in con-
gress will have 1900 such packages to
his credit. There will be 500 packages
containing the novelties, each package
containing five packets. The novelties
will be accompanied by a circular de-
scribing the varieties in full and giving
directions for culture and use. There
will also be franked postal card for
each collection of the novelties, SO that
the recipient may, if he desires, signify
his willingness to make report to the
department on the seeds received.
The number of flower seeds allotted
to each senator, member and delegate
in congress has been Increases to 500,
and arrangements have been made
whereby members having city constitu
ents may exchange vegetable seeds fol
flower seeds, if they so desire. A special
collection of flower seeds will be pre-
pared for those having strictly city con-
stituents, the varieties chosen being
suitable for window boxes, lots and
small dooryards.
The plan adopted last year of putting
up special collection of cotton and to-
which they are sent, will be continued
This work has proven very satisfactory.
as through it many valuable varieties
have been distributed. Seventy pack
ages, one peck each. will be sent to dis
tricts growing cotton In tobacco grow
ing districts 10 packages, containing
five papers each, will be distributed.
Each congressman will have to his
The forage crop seed allotment has not
yet been made, but will likely be made
larger than heretofore.
Sorghum and sugar beet seeds have
not yet been allotted. These seeds will
only be placed in sections of the country
where it is. possible to grow them
Bulbs will be ready for distribution
during the early part of November.
These will be allotted in 20 boxes con-
tanning seven bulbs each.
The distribution of plants, trees and
grapevines vii be similar to that of last
year, excepting that the number OF
trees will be increased to 100 for each
senator, member and delegate.
The allotment of strawberry plants
will be 10 packages containing Is plants
each The grapevines this year will be
only eight packages to each quota, con-
tanning five vines in each.
The congressional seed distribution
has become so popular that at the last
session of congress the appropriation
was increased from $230,O0O to $270, 900,
and even with this increase some mem
bers have not enough to their credit to
supply the demand of their constituents
Last year the total number of packages
for congressional distribution amounted
to 28000.000, but this year the number
has been increased to 38, 300,3 84 pack
ages. Last years distribution weighed
700 tons, this year the weight will be
doubled
Besides the distribution to constitu-
ents by members of congress, the de-
partment of agriculture Is given an al
lowance for its own use. Over 700 pack
ages of vegetable and flower seeds will
be sent to it's country correspondents
who furnish the government with
monthly crop reports. Over 80 papers
and bags of vegetable. flower and feed
seeds will be sent to the state grange
organizations throughout the country.
And then large amount is to be sent
to weather bureau observers and ex-
pertinent stations.
Aside from the above distribution,
thousands of packages of foreign seeds
and plants, which are introduced by the
departments experts abroad, are sent
out largely to state agricultural expert
ment stations, and such reliable cuIti-
vatOrS as have shown a willingness to
cooperate with the department in MAX
ing reports as to the success of these
in portations.
Secretary Wilson has determined to
distribute trees with hope of i'm
planting a love of trees in the breasts
of the people and melting them to fol.
low the example set by the department
as well as to have permanent showing
for the money expended.
Secretary Wilson, being a practical
farmer. is enthusiastic over this annual
seed distribution, which has so often
been ridiculed. It may have been great
ly subject to rfdicule in the old days.
but 1t Is not SO now. This is practically
for the reason that the seeds which are
now sent out to the congressmen's con-
stituents are guaranteed to grow In
former years the contract was let to
seedmen without regard to the charac-
ter or quality, and they put up in hap
hazard way packages containing any
kind of seed without regard to whether
they were adapted to the sub-tropicaI
climate of the south or the granite hills
of New England. The appropriation
made by congress was spent without
any practical benefit, except to the con-
tractor, and made the government seed
n ri hut ar7vfhin . htf
secretary Wilson has changed the
plan and made it practical. He has
gained the confidence of the farmers
They all ciamor for garden seeds. The
first care of the farmer secretary is to
see that the seeds will grow. The seeds
furnished the government heretofore
for this purpose have also been of a
rather poor quality. The department.
will take a new departure this year to
remedy this matter by doing away with
Contractors and making purchases