The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-10-09
Long Island Farmer Provides
an Illustration Tending to
Prove Distribution of Seeds
by Congress Is Farcial-Not
"New, Rare and Valuable"
FARMER MADE BONFIRE
OF 10000 PACKAGES
Big Fight To Be Made at Next
Session of Congress on
Free Seed.
Rx e. C. SNYDER.

Washington, D. c., Oct 9.-The con-
gressional farce of "free seed" dis
tribution received a beautiful illus
tration few days ago on Long Island.
One of the farmers on Long Island
had received packages of the free
seeds until the accumulation took up
about all his storage space. He had
on hand more than ten thousand such
packages, and having no use for them,
for being a progressive and up-to-date
farmer he planted only the latest and
most improved varieties of seed, he
concluded to make an auto de fe and
burn the seeds in memory of gen.
erous government that will persist,
despite all protests, in sending out
such little tokens of its esteem. He
made a bon fire, and was having
very happy time of it. when one of
his neighbors happened along, and
asked what he was doing. Being in
formed that he was burning his sup
ply of the congressional free seeds,
he asked why they were being burned.
Because they are worthless" was the
reply. Il will agree with you there"
said the neighbor, but they might be
put to a good use. What will you
take for them?" He was told he could
have all he could carry away for a
half dollar. The money was paid
and a bushel bag filled with the re-
naming packages.
The purchaser happened to know
that an anti-free seed crusade was on,
and he at once realized the seeds
saved from the burning would make
an excellent object lesson for con-
gress, so he took them to the head
quarters of the anti-agitators, and
they will now be one of the exhibits
before congress. The seeds were not
being destroyed because they were
old, or worm-eaten. as once was the
case, but because newer and improved
varieties could readily be had, and be-
cause they were Of the cofnmonest va
rieties. many of them having been
discarded years ago by progressive
seed dealers; and the only place where
they are obtainable is the department
Of agriculture. which sends them out
as new, rare and valuable" seeds.
To determine just how new" these
seeds were, which had been rescue.
from the flames, some seed dealers
examined their catalogues, with inter-
esting results. 1t was found that one
variety of parsnip, two of lettuce.
three of turnip, one of tomato, one of
onion and two of radish seed had been
catalogued by New York firm in
1878. One lettuce, one tomato and
one muskmelon came into use in 1884.
Five other varieties Of lettuce were
introduced between 1875. and 1890. The
newest variety of seed was an onion
introduced by Philadelphia firm in
1899, while the oldest was traced back
thirty years and no one knows when
it was first presented.
In view of these facts, which will
be presented to congress. it is scarcely
possible that congress will continue
the fiction that 1t is sending out new.
rare and valuable seed. even if 1t
continues the distribution in the face
of the ridicule heaped upon it by the
daily and agricultural press, and the
condemnation expressed by the farm
ers and their organizations.