Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1906-10-31
THE NATIONAL FARMERS
DECLINE FREE SEEDS
In the Recent Rock island Convention
They Protested Against the Con-
tinuation of the Ancient Farce

Washington. D c.. oct. %. Especial
correspondence to the Republcan)-A
sad blow was dealt the congressional
free distribution of seed b y
the National Farmers Congress a
few days ago at Rock Island. IL. and
those congressman who have cortend-
ed that the only reason they voted to
continue the distribution Of these prize
packages Of catnip and rhubarb seed
was because the farmers. want them q"
viii, from self-respect. be compelled to
abandon this plea The Farmers Con-
gress was composed Of a thousand del
egates from all parts of the country
representing various organizations of
agriculturists. Naturally free seeds
came before il and several anti-free
seed resolutions were presented. A
special committee was appointed 10 con
slider the subject and the resolutions
and reported the following:
Resolved: That we are opposed 10
the system Of seed distribution as now
conducted by the Federal Government.
but believe in the work Of exploring
foreign countries for such seeds and
plants as may be proftably introduced
into this country, and recommend that
the money expended for seed distribu-
ton as now conducted. be added TO the
fund for maintaining American seed
and plant explorers in other countries.
under direction of the United States
/ Department OF Agriculture and the
distribution of the same among the
Agricultural Experiment Stations OF
the country for practical test"
A lively debate followed in which
one speaker after another denounced
the free seed distribution as fake
and swindle. one of the most. prom
inent speakers said it was the biggest
/ humbug that has been perpetrated on
the American farmers for nifty years"
None Of the speakers had a word TO
say in defense Of the practice and at
the conclusion of the discussion a ris-
ing vote was demanded. With a shout
the thousand delegates rose and the
resolution was declared unanimously
adopted, amid great applause.
According 10 the Washington repre-
sentative of the "anti-free-seeders %
the resolution adopted by the National
Farmers Congress is the platform on
which the farmers and seed dealers
are united IT is also claimed to voice
the opinion of the Department Of Agri-
culture Discussing the subject he
said today.
Trained from expressing any opinion in
I the free-seed controversy other than
IN his official communications where
ne has frequently stated that a change
should be made from the present sys-
tenn Of indisCriminate distribution Of
turnip seed. and that the work should
be limited 10 the distribution of really
rare and valuable seeds. The impres-
sion that certain members of congress.
intent on continuing this charge on the
public purse that they may keep
themselves before their constituents
seek TO conve that the seed mer-
chants and the Department Of Agri-
culture are at variance. is wholly with
out foundation. The Secretary of Az
riculture has repeatedly announced
that in his opinion the money should
be expended for the distribution OF
seeds actually"rare and valuablt.'' The
law Is 10 that effect now. but congress
stultihes itself by appropriating for
such seeds and then sending out car
load after car load OF of the common
est varieties of corn. pumpkin. squash
and turnip seed. This is no fault OF
the Department of Agriculture So
long as congress insists on these 40 o.
100000 packets of seed the Department
VIII continue sending them out But
IL takes no pride in being forced to
represent as new varieties. seeds that
have been on the market thirty years.
The scotsman are not against the
distribution of really rare and valuable
seeds, but are determinedly opposed
TO the government giving away 10 any
one who wants them. and a great many
who do not. hundreds of tons of stand
ard varieties of seeds. even at the risk
/ Of appearing selfish Strange to say.
the seed merchants resent congress-
men giving away at government ex-
pense what they have for sale II the
congressman bought the seeds them
selves and gave them away the seeds