Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-05
SEEDS FOR FARMERS
Uncle Sam Prepares for Ora
tuitous Distribution.
TO START EARLIER
VARIOUS KINDS ALLOTTED TO
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Special Collections for Certain Sections
of the Country-Those for
School Children.
TO START EARLIER

Inc largest annual congressman SeeO
distribution eyer made by Uncle Sam was
begun this week. Within the next three
or four months over 1000 tons Of garden,
flower and field seeds will be distributed
among the people of every state and terri
tory in the Union. at cost of $29ooOo-
the amount appropriated by Congress at Its
last session for this purpose. The total dis
tribution this year will amount to about
5000 packages.
Some important changes in the plan OF
conducting this distribution have been es-
tablished by the Department Of Agricul-
ture. With view of handling the seed to
better advantage the country has been d.
vided into six districts, and seeds and
plants particularly adapted to each district
will be distributed therein at an earlier
time than heretofore.
In past years much complaint has been
made by the people of receiving seed TOO
late in the season to be of particular gooo.
The department has not been responsible
for this condition, 1t is said, but the fault
lay with the congressman, who, to large
extent were tardy in making out their lists
for their quota. 1t is expected to overcome
this condition by beginning the distribution
earlier than has been the custom in the
past.
There will be. as usual, a distribution OF
miscellaneous vegetable seed, put up with
five packets in a package. and each sena-
tor, representative and delegate in Con-
greSS will have Ii, 500 such packages to his
credit
The number Of flower seeds allotted to
each congressman has been increas ed to
500 packages, and arrangements have been
made whereby representatives having city
constituents may exchange vegetable seeds
for flower seeds, if they so desire. A spe-
cial collection of flower seeds will be pre-
pared for those having strictly city consti-
tuents, the varieties chosen being suitable
for window boxes, lots and small door
yards.
The plan adopted heretofore of putting
up special collections of cotton and to-
bacco seeds best adapted to the districts
into which they are sent will be continued
This work has proven very satisfactory, as
through 1t many valuable varieties have
been distributed. Seventy packages, one
peck each. will be sent to districts growing
cotton. In tobacco growing districts 10
packages containing five papers each, Will
be distributed
Each senator and representative will have
to his credit thirty packages of lawn grass
seed. The forage crop seed allotment has
not yet been made, but will likely be made
larger than heretofore. Sorghum and beet
sugar seeds will be allotted in good guam
tity. but only placed in sections of the
country where 1t is possible to grow them
Bulbs will be allotted in twenty boxes,
containing seven bulbs each. Bulbs will
hereafter be sent out In the spring instead
of the fall
The distribution of plants and grape vines
will be similar to that of last year. The
allotment of strawberry plants will be ten
packages, containing fifteen plants each.
The grape vines will be eight packages to
each quota, containing five vines in each.
No Free Trees This Year.
No trees will be distributed free by the
government this year.
The congressional seed distribution Is to
be made a factor in the education of Ameri-
can youth, and the promotion of that
nature study is earnestly advocated by Sec
rotary Wilson. The idea is urged upon the
teachers of the country to incorporate with
the course of study taught in common
schools the first principles of agriculture,
and he has perfected plans TO that end.
Nature study is the study of live things,
as contrasted with the study of dead things,
and is virtually study of the first rudi-
rents of agriculture. Under the system
which is to be inaugurated this year large
quantities of seeds are to be distributed
free, on congressional order, of course, to
the school children of the country. Accom-
paEying the seeds will be circulars giving
directions for their cultivation, ETC., and it
is the belief of Secretary Wilson that a
liberal education may be impaired by the
intelligent teacher to the pupils in her
charge by means of window gardens and
little gardens in which these seeds will be