The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-16
tn 2 HAsKIN LETTER
Seeds from [ Jncle Sam
By Frederick J. Haskin.

ny fTeuef1ck =
II Mrs. John Smith writes to the
department of agriculture this year
requesting a supply Of new flower
4 seeds to replenish her garden next
spring, the chances are that she VIII
md none available. The secretary Of
agriculture has waived his usual APP
portionment OF seeds Of flowers and
vegetables this year, giving a larger
Quantity for congressional distribu-
ton. The department Of agriculture
Iis giving It's chief attention to dis
tributing seeds OF ileld crops, espec.
tally those Of new and improved var
Iieties.
Last year, the sum Of $4,000 was
appropriated I'd the distribution Of
drought resisting field seeds. This
year 800. 900 has been appropriated
/ with the understanding that 1t will
be chiefly devoted to the propagation,
testing and distribution OF new and
rare seeds. Most OF these are known
as field seeds, the name indicating
toniy those things which are grown In
field quantities. such as cereals and
forage Of all kinds, as these add most
ito the national food resources. Sew
Ieral new varieties Of these have been
satisfactorily introduced and the de-
partment is anxious stills further to
extend their use, So II John Smith
writes to the department, requesting
seed Of the lately introduced Feterita
or the new Cuban grass or any Of the
more staple varieties, he is likely to
have his wants supplied, provided he
Econvtnces the department that he has
land adapted to their growth. His
wife may be able to secure her gar
hden SEEKS by writing to her. congress-
man, as five-sixths OF the iistribu-
tion Of seeds will continue to be made
lby the representatives am. senators.
In addition to wat is known as
TIC congressional ail,: the department
tai free seed distribution, are the
fseeds and bulbs given out by the ex-
pertinent stations of the department.
Wa.hever valuable product has
been secured 1t is desirable that 1t
become known to the public as soon
as possible. Therefore, The experl-
inert station Is glaa 10 send OUT SEEDS
|, and roci, vac ne sc- possible I, any
4 one capable OF giving them proper
i cultivation. The small supply avail.
able for distribution renders 1t i'm
possible to grant all the requests for
these products, but thousands are
filled each season. After a new plant
has been successfully grown here and
proved well adapted to climatic con-
ditions, 1t takes at least FIVE years to
grow a sufficient quantity to permit
q generous free seed distribution.
The dasheen is one of the newest
products OF the experiment station.
For three years an increasing GUAM
THY OF the tubers OF this vegetable
has been distributed to private indi-
yiduals for experimental growths.
Where the directions have been props
erly followed, good results are usual
| ly obtained. The dasheen is not We.
generally known food product and
/ is hardly to be expected in marketable
quantities this year. 1t made its first
appearance in the Washington mar
kets last year. A considerable guam
tity OF dasheen seed roots will soon
be ready for free distribution.
Feterita, which Is one of the most
important of the products upon the
list of free seeds to be distributed
this year, is sorghum which was in.
trcduced into this country from
Egypt in 1906. Since then its value
has been SO we'll demonstrated that
the department Of agriculture is en-
deavoring to increase its cultivation
this year Only a few ounces were
brought to this country at first. They
were distributed among three expert
mental growers in Arizona and Kan
sas. An additional quantity of seed
was secured in 1908, and tests were
conducted at two experiment stations
in southwestern Texas. The results
Indicated Its value, especially in dry
localities, for its drought resisting
Qualities are superior to many other
crops. Yields offrom 30 to 80 bushels
of Feterita grain may be expected
under ordinary conditions in Kaffir
and milo regions.
Sudan grass, new forage, was dis
covered as the result OF quest for
q hay grass which was not supplied
with aggressive under ground root
stems This is native to Khartum,
Africa, from whence half pound
OF seed was brought in 1909. Part Of
this was planted at the Chillicothe
experimental station in Texas. with
such good results that 1t forms one
of the chief features in the free seed
distribution of this year.
The growing Of long fibre Egyptian
cotton in the United States, has been
chiefly brought about by the free seed
distribution Of the department of ag-
riculture. The cotton bids fair to be.
come the chief product OF the irriga-
ton redeemed desert lands Of Arizona
and other southwestern states. The
! first seeds were received from Egypt
by the department of agriculture. They
were tested and increased by propa-
cation in government experiment sta
tons until sufficient quantities could
be secured for planting in CONNER
cial quantities The further improve
ment of cotton seed is still being
sought, so seeds of improved varieties
are being distributed to all growers
whose equipment enables them to