The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-04-27

The principle applies to everything that
grows from seeds.
When the government first began to buy
seed for distribution it discovered that the
public was being imposed upon. by the
dealers Not only was much of the seed
inferior. but some of it adulterated
with all manner of foreign seed Some
clover. alfalfa and lawn grass seed was not
more than 10 per cent pure. The depart.
ment procured authority from congress and
published the names of offending dealers;
This forced them to the development of
pure seed. Likewise did the distribution of
high grade seed educate the consumer to
demanding like product from the dealers
The result has been the making over of the
seed business of the nation
ported clover seed shows the lack of actual
economy in the purchase of an inferior
product:
Red clover seed .............,... g, a% ,6
other seeds Is y, J.,
Live clover seed In package ........ a3 l6
Price paid per 100 pounds. .......... .$7.6l
Actual cost per 100 pounds based on
percentage of good seed ....... .s2o.53
Aside from this first beneficial effect of
seed distribution there is second result
that is probably of even more Importance.
This is the development of the diversified
farming idea. 1t is true that in Il great
part Of the country the farmers grow only
one crop. 1t may be cotton in the south
wheat in the west. Vegetables and fruit
for the family are not grown. The habit
vented the purchase of seed. The individ-
ua might never arouse himself to starting
garden, but if the seeds come into his
hands he is likely to put them in the
ground. The idea will grow and soon the
garden will surround the home and add
greatly to its comfort.
Then there is the spreading broadcast of
vegetables and flowers that have proven
valuable in certain isolated localities or OF
introductions from abroad. In this year
seeds. for instance. there is Brussels sprout .
.Nc ft,r .I,.,rn frrtN i1y-
very popular in Europe. This year l2oUo
packets of it will be distributed that 1t
may be tried out in all parts of the coun-
try Kohl rabbi is another kindred introduce
ton something between turnips and cab
bage. which is being tried out. In the Sea
Island cotton belt there is Il disease of this
great stretches of most productive land.
The department has developed II cotton that
is immune from this disease aud is this
year sending out 1900 bushels of the seed.
which will result. If properly handled. in
the saving of all the area affected Special
results in special cases are thus accom-
plshed.
The appropriation for the current year
for the distribution of seed is S3lS.OOO. of
which $4,000 goes toward the securing of
varieties from abroad. Because of the
fact that the constituents of great numbers
of congressman have no use for the seeds
sent out, never planting them. the appreci
alton is generally unpopular and regarded
as largely wasted. AS II matter of fact
further purpose than would a post card re
minding the constituent that he Is remen-
bered. Strangely. the members with a
constituency on the New York east side
use up their quota of seeds as efectually
as do those from rural Kansas
The correcting of these defects and the
securing of limitless benefits is. however
easily within the reach of the people. II
every constituent of every congressman
who has an actual need for seed woult
write to his representative long and Otter
for packages. the result would be that this
valuable material would get i'll the hands
OF the people who would make most of II
instead of being wasted. The members OF
congress would be accommodated for 1T !:
their desire to send the packages TO people
who want them most. With 22.Ooo pack
ages and extras in the hands of each con
gresham. there is ample opportunity o
supplying with considerable liberality th
constituents who are anxious to accomplish
something through this means. They ar
the people for whose benefit the appropria
tion was intended. Likewise the cnnStitu
ents of members representing city district
have ample opportunity for making howe
gardens of their windows and fire escape
from the seeds allotted to their congress
man. for if there not enough to =
around II trade of garden for flower seed
easily be arranged with some countr
member.
Having secured this excellent seed tn