The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-12-12
Can der LEADING
FREE SEEDS
Fight
QUESTION 10 BEING THREsHe0
OUT IN THE HOUSE AcRIcvL-
TuRAL COMMITTEE.
GOVERNMENT OPPOSES PRACTICE
Secretary Houston Has Already Rec
commended That Experiment Sta
tions Get seeds-Garrard Harris
Presents Book to Corn Club Winners.
GOVERNMENT OPPOSES PRACTICE
(By F. D. Lander, Jr.)

(By F. D. Lander, Jr.)
Washington, Dec. 12.-Whether the
farmers or the experiment stations
are to receive the benefits of the seeds
distributed by the Department of Ag-
riculture during the next several years
is an interesting question now being
threshed out in the agricultural COM
mittee of the House.
The Secretary of Agriculture has
recommended discontinuance of the
appropriation for distributing seeds
through the agricultural sections on
the part of the various congressman.
and in place of this appropriation has
asked that the money be diverted to
importing and experimenting with rare
seeds.
Representative Zeke Gambler of Mis-
sissippi is leading the fight in the COM
mittee in favor Of the farmer and OF
distribution of seeds among the farm
ers, instead of diverting the entire ap-
preparation to experiment stations.
The same question came up several
years ago and the committee recon-
mended in favor of the experiment
stations, but Representative Gambler
carried the fight to the floor of the
House and succeeded in reversing the
: stand of the committee.
The government is now appropriate
ing S296,000 year to seed distribution.
i, Of this amount $35,OOO is allowed for
= experimentation in rare seeds. An
= other large chunk is devoted to cleri-
cal and executive expenses, leaving an
. amount between 100000 and 100000
that is spent for seeds that are actual
ly sent to the farmers.
The department recommends that
: this appropriation of less than S210.0O0
be discontinued and that in its stead
:. an appropriation of $175,000 be allow
ed for experimentation and importa-
ton of rare seeds.
81 have no objection to the depart
ment experimenting in new products, u
~ said Mr.. Gambler today. 81 realize
that the farmers have derived a great
IS deal of good from experiments in the
past and l would not object to in
o. creasing the appropriation for that pur
pose, although / think $175,000 woult
be pretty extravagant. But under NJ
conditions will consent without vigor
W GUS protest to this amount being sui
stituted for the amount now expende
for the direct benefit of the farmers.
:. 81 realize" continued Mr.. Candle
that there have been many criticism
:. of the seeds that are sent out by tn
department, but I have received Z
% many times as many letters giving I
vorable reports on the growth of Il
0n seed than I have objecting to the
anu that l am convinced they are gre
GUS benefit to the farmer, and am for t
III farmer
fall The f,gbt &c now in the hands Of I
committee, and unless the commit
recommends to continue the wi,
spread distribution Of seeds, Mr. Cal
ler has indicated he will carry the gu
ton to the floor of the House, VIII,
90 he has been successful in overrul
~ the committee on other occasions.
Harris Issues Book.
Garrard Harris, formerly of Jack
aies' Mississippi and now on the edito
nsiVe staff of the Mobile Register, as '
ounu as contributor to a number of wee
and monthly publications, was pre-
orgla' nent in the entertainment of the {
Iissis- club boys at the Ebbitt Hotel here
VIZ evening.
5000; Mr.. Harris recently has issue
D; Ar book entitled, Joe, the Book Farm
5000; in which he outlines the career
o.o00; boy who started out to farm on
scientific plan, won corn club ]
and performed other stunts worth
emulation. The book is publishe
IN has Harper & Bro. and the publishers
Iodger. to the Department of Agriculture
ladies ficient copies for each winner
he lat corn prize to have one.
Press. fCoutinued On Pare Eightl