The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-30
RICHMOND LEADS
IN SEED IMPORTS
Port Ranks With New York and
Baltimore in Quantity
Brought In.
FOUR MILLION POUNDS YEAR
Importation of Clover Seed
Through Local Customs
House on Increase.

If seed were on the dutiable instead
OF the free list. the 100000 annual
customs collection at the Richmond
customs house would probably DO dou-
bled BY the figures in the annual re-
port of importations at this port dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 80, 1913,
Richmond is almost II not the largest
lsecd importing city in the United Statos.
Approximately 100000 pounds of legu-
mnous grass seed were brought into
Richmond from foreign countries dur
ing the last twelve months New York
and Baltimore are the only ports that
. contest this honor with Richmond
AT the present time the largest seed
| importers OF this city arc at logger
/ eads with the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture over recent
ruling OF the department which pro-
vldcs for strict Inspection OF all seed
imported into this country from abroad.
AS the importers see the ruling Il Is
eminenuy unfair 10 them and produc-
tive or serious financial loss. Accord
ing TO the new requirement. samples
OF every shipment OF SEED imported
must be sent To The department for
analysis. IN case the sample falls 10
be OF standard purity the entire ship
ment must either be deported or de-
o.! Os Si. i4S s!..D4't!.L IL JtIG IN DOnu
pending the analysis OF the samples.
In case the sample Tails short OF tho
standard set b. the department the
entire seed shipment. worth IN many
instances thousands OF dollars In prac-
ideally a dead loss 10 the local i'm
porters, az they must pay tho foreign
seller however, the shipment may be
treated by the United states inspectors
While tnis rigid inspection undoubt-
cdly prevents fraud and the importa-
ton OF worthless seed. 1t Is far from a
satisfactory working arrangement The
! importers are attempting TO effect some
sort OF agreement whereby the seed
may be sampled and passed by United
states consuls At the port Of eXporta-
ton before being shipped 10 this coun-
I try.
Much Crimson Glover.
o: the more than 1000. 900 pounds OF
seed imported duty free TO Richmond
last yenr. 3.idG.l60 pounds was repre-
scnted by crimson clover seed, a legune
which is gaining popularity rapidly
with southern farmers The bulk OF
/ the crimson clover seed comes from
. France. while smaller quantities are
( imported from Italy and Germany. Tho
local. customs house Is now preparing
for the rush season OF importation OF
seed and ~ receiving daily packages
OF consular invoices from abroad The
seed is imported in largest Quantities
during August
Next TO crimson clover IN bulk comes
vetch seed. which Was imported 10 the
extent Of about 100000 pounds AT Rich
mond last year Most o: this was ship
! ped from Copenhagen. Denmark. al
/ though Germany supplied some portion
/ OF the total About 100000 pounds OF
rape seed We're brought IN 1t this port
/ last year. ana $500 pounds Of alfalfa
seed which is record for the inpor
/ tation OF alfalfa in single year
] hulk q Sl!uFnEwts arrive
/ Richmond In bond by train. being Un-
| shipped at New York and Baltimore,
! hut not Il little comes directly 10 this
! city by the water route.