The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-11-15
Sent To The farmers 6y
The GoveI nment
millions Of Packages Sent
Out Each Ytar


ing seeds huge protest is raised in
every corner Of the land. 1t comes
from the city as we'll as the farm and
no lawmaker who values his Job has
the temerity to go beyond making the
suggestion that the government prac-
tice of distributing seed shall be cur
tailed. The country demands free
seed.
The present plan Of seed distribu-
tlon had its origin back in 1743. In
that year the British parliament
granted 100000 to promote the culti-
vation of indigo and other crops in
the American colonies, and the as
semblies Of various colonies appropri-
ated small sums from time to time to
encourage the cultivation Of plants
new to this country, such as hops,
mulberry trees and vineyards for the
establishment of the American wine in
dustry.
BENJAMIN Franklin, while in Eng
Land az agent for Pennsylvania, sent
home silkworm eggs and mulberry
cuttings. In the five years that he
represented this country as minister
to France Thomas Jefferson forward.
I'd many seed samples Of grasses, rice,
peppers and olives to correspondents
At home. Other representatives Of
this government In the early days fol-
lowed the example Of Franklin and
Jefferson until. during the admins
tration Of John Quincy Adams, in
structions we're given to all United
States consuls to forward rare plants
and seeds to Washington for distribu-
ton. A botanical garden was later
established in Washington, in which
we're grown many of the rare and
Interesting plants imported from for
eign countries.
Despite these efforts to introduce
new seeds and plants, many varieties
Of fruits and vegetables with which
everybody is now familiar were scarce
or unknown in this country in the
early part OF the nineteenth century.
There were few seed farms, nurseries
or seedmen. Seeds were mostly grown
by the farmers themselves and there
was no Improvement from year to
year.
Interest In better seeds and in &C.
curing new seeds and plants resulted
largely from the agricultural fairs in
amgurated by the various societies for
promoting agriculture" which were
organized at Charleston, New York,
Philadelphia. Boston and Washington.
In 1889. through the efforts Of Hen
~ L. Ellsworth. commissioner Of pat
ents. an appropriation of $1,000 was
made for the purpose Of collecting and
seeds, prosecuting agri-
cultural Investigations and procuring
agricultural statistics. With the ap-
appropriation 10000 packages Of
seeds were purchased and distributed.
This appropriation marked the begin.
ming of the present department OF
agriculture. Appropriations for seed
purchase and distribution continued
to increase as the practice gained In
popularity with the people, until Con-
gress itself finally took a hand In
passing the seed around.
Under the system that now prevails
each member Of the senate and the
house has a quota of 10000 packages
of vegetable and 1000 packages OF
flower seed, each package being made
up Of five packets, containing differ
ent kinds of seed. In this year 61,-
l2S, $40 packets Of flower seed, or to-
tal of 6S.S64,555 packets, were sent
out. The total waight Of vegetable
and flower seeds sent out was 9S4,116
pounds. or over 4S7 tons-ehough to
all 20 freight cara In addition, there
were distributed thousands Of pack
ages of grass seed and plants and
vines of various kinds.
The Job of purchasing, testing, ap-
portloning and distributing govern
sneut seed is big one. All seeds are
purchased through competitive bids.
Tho quotations are opened and listed
In the presence Of bidders and olhcials
oe the department Of agriculture. In
Awsrding contracts the oficials dis
regard varieties unsuitable for distri-
button, ~ well ~ bids Of growers or
dealers who In the past have failed
to carry out their contracts satisfac-
tOrily.
The seed purchased is subjected to
thorough scientific tests. When . con-
signment OF seed is received at the
department of agriculture warehouse
a small portion Is taken from the mid
die and near the top and bottom, of
at least one-fourth of all the bags and
thoroughly mixed, to make a compos-
tie sample. which IL sent to the seed