Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-28
Government Representatives In
Congress Will Send Out So
100000 Packages
NEW PLANS MADE THIS YEAR
County is Divided Into Six Districts
And the Seeds Adapted to Each Will
be Distributed This Year Much
Earlier Than usuaI-seeretary Will
son Promoting Nature Study.

Washington, Nov. 2s.-Secretary
Wilson of the department Of agricul-
ture, set in motion few days ago
the annual distribution Of seeds to the
people Of the country. BY long odds,
the distribution this year will be the
largest on record. In the next three
months over 1000 tons of garden, flow
er and field seeds will be distributed
to the residents OF every state and ter
ritory at cost Of 100000. Not less
than 5O,0O0,0O0 packages will be sent
out, principally to the farmers. All
persons in any way engaged in gar
dening or the raising of flowers will
also be entitled to share in this great
undertaking of the government.
In order to meet the objection that
the seeds are not distributed early
enough, Secretary Wilson and his as
sistants have made new plans this
year. The country has been divided
into six districts and the seeds and
plants specially adapted to each dis
trict will be distributed much earlier
than in past years.
ASe@SA SSbusSAt AOpA cAiNA
delegate in congress will have 14,5OO
packages of miscellaneous vegetable
seed to send to his constituents. The
number of flower seeds allotted to
each congressman has been increased
to 500 packages and it has been ar
ranged that representatives having
constituents in cities may exchange
vegetable seeds for flower seeds If
they wish. A special collection Of
flower seeds and suitable for window
boxes, lots and small door yards will
be prepared for those having large
share of city constituents. Special
collections of cotton and tobacco seeds
will be sent to the districts adapted
for their raising.
Thirty packages of lawn grass seed
will be allotted each senator and rep
resentative. The forage crop seed alot-
ted is expected to be larger than
heretofore Sorghum and beet sugar
seed will be allotted literally, but will
only be sent out to those sections
where they can be successfully grown.
Bulbs will be allotted in twenty boxes,
containing seven bulbs apiece. Here
after bulbs will be sent out in the
spring instead Of in the fall Plants
and grape vines will be distributed as
before, but no trees will be distrlb-
uted free by the government this year.
Secretary Wilson believes thoroughly
in nature study for the youth, and is
doing all he can to promote 1t. He
wants the congressional seed dtstrib-
ution to further this study. It is the
purpose to constantly urge on the
teachers Of the country the advisable
ity Of teaching the first principles of
agriculture in the common schools. I'm
der the syestem that is to be inaug-
urated this year, large quantities of
seeds are to he distributed free on
congressional order to the school chill
dren of all states and territories. Ac-
companying the seeds will be circulars
giving directions for cultivating the
seeds. Secretary Wilson believes a
liberal education may be impaired by
the intelligent teacher to the pupils by
means of window gardens and little
plats Of ground in the school yards
where seeds may be grown. Instruc-
ton can be given In termination and
pupils can be instructed in the pro-
cesses by which the elements OF soil
and air are converted into plant cells.
Because the demand for seeds last
year was greater than the supply, con-
gress increased the appropriation from
$27O, 900 to 100000. The demand is con-
stantly growing, especially as the
south wakes up more and more. In
1900, 14,73S.s6s packages Of seed were
sent out. This year there will be a
bout three times as many. The cost in
1901 under the contract system was
s4.45 per thousand. This year it will
be less than Sc per thousand.