Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-09-18
Seeds For The Asking.

The greatest distribution of free
seed by the Agricultural Department
at Washington in the History of the
Department will take place this month.
should be made through
your congressman, who will transmit
your request to the department.
There will be, as usual, distribu-
ton of miscellaneous vegetable seeds,
and, in addition, it is planned to fur
nish a limited 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 miscellaneous seed
will be put up, as usual, FIVE packets
in a package, and each senator, rep
resentative and delegate in Congress
will have 10000 such package to his
credit. There will be 500 packages
containing the novelties, each package
containing FIVE packets. The novel
ties will be accomanied by circular
describing the varieties in full and
giving directions for culture and use.
There will also be a franked postal
card for each collection Of the novel
ties, 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, representative and
delegate in the Congress has been in
creased to 500, and arrangements
have been made whereby representa-
tives having city constituents may
exchange vegetables seeds for flower
seeds, if they so desire.
A special collection of flower seeds
will be prepared for those having
strictly city constituents, the varieties
chosen being suitable for window
boxes, lots and small doorways.
Each senator and representative
will have to his credit 80 packages of
lawn grass seed. The forage crop
seed allotment has not yet been made,
but will likely be much larger than
heretofore.
The allotment Of strawberry plants
will be 10 packages containing 10
plants each. The grape vines this
year will be only 8 packages to each
quota, containing 5 vines in each.
The congressional seed distribution is
becoming more and more popular each
year. Now Congress approprlates
$4,000 annually for this purpose.
Even with the increased quota some
representatives have enough to their
credit to supply the demand of their
constituents. The total distribution
this year will amount to about 49,
100000 packages, which is estimated
will weigh in the neighborhood Of
1000 tons.
Besides the distribution to constitu-
ents of congressman, the Department
of Agriculture is given an allowance
for its own use. Over 100000 pack
agee Of vegetable and flower seeds will
be sent to its county correspondents in
the different States who furnish the
government with monthly crop re-
ports. Over 100000 papers and bags
Of vegetable, flower and field seeds
will be sent to the State grange or
CARNATIONS throughout the country.
And then a large amount is to be
sent to weather observers and expert
ment stations.
Aside from this distribution thou
sands of packages Of foreign seeds and
plants, which are being introduced by
the departments expert abroad, are
sent out largely to State agricultural
colleges and such reliable cultivators
as have shown a willingness to coop
crate with the department in making
reports as to the success Of these i'm
portations.
Secretary Wilson has determined to
distribute trees with a hope of i'm
planting a love o! trees in the breasts
of the people and melting them to fol-
low the example set by the depart
ment, as we'll as to have a permanent