The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-08-03
Uncle Sam Trying Out
ub-TrOpicaI Plants
RAYMOND W. PULLMAN.

RAYMOND w. PULLMAN.
Times W0shtnOton Bxrc0u, No. 70<
AetropoJttGn B0Hk BwtJdin0.
WASHINGTON. Aug. S.-Through
the once OF foreign seed and plant In
PRODUCTION Of the
subtropIcai Plant United States de-
Experimentation. partment OF agri-
culture, the gov
eminent has just acquired 20 acres
of land near Miami. Fla. which will
be developed into the first permanent
subtropical plant experiment station
In south Florida. This land IL held
In trust by the Florida state expert
ment station for the use OF the fed
eral department.
Nearly IL years ago the department
OF agriculture leased six acres OF land
at Miami for the purpose OF carrying
on experiments in the growing of Inn
migrant plants. grasses and trees,
brought to this country by plant ex-
plorers In the federal service. At the
old Miami garden many experiments
were made, not only with the grow
Ing OF the new plants. but q patholog-
ical laboratory was established for
the study OF diseases OF plants I'm
ported into this country.
The work was considered SO valua-
BILE by ofhcials Of the department OF
agriculture that Secretary Houston
decided that II should be placed on q
more permanent basis. and that the
station should be greatly enlarged.
The ak leased acres Of land were al
ready crowded. and the work has been
hampered because Of the need OF
more room In which to carry on the
experiments.
Through the kindness of public
spirited business man Of Chicago and
Miami, tract Of rs acres Of land has
been decided In trust to the govern
ment for the use Of propasating use
full varieties Of plants suitable to
growth in this country. A number OF
other tracts were offered to the gov.
eminent, but when the question OF
accessibility. climate and quality OF
soil OF the various tracts was consid-
cred the rs acres at Buepa Vista,
near Miami. were finally chosen. The
subtropical plant introduction neld
station In Florida will be conducted
by experts under the direction OF Da-
via Fairchild, chief Of the once OF
foreign seed and plant introduction OF
the department OF agriculture. II ID
expected that Edward Simmonds. who
has already achieved considerable 70
cal prominence In Miami through his
study and cultivation OF Immigrant
plants brought to this country by the
government, will be In charge on the
ground. Among Mr.. Simmonds' prin-
cipal accomplishment In the develop
ment OF immigrant plants has been
the grating OF the papaya. the bud.
ding of the mango and the study OF
the avocado, or alligator pear. which
has become 30 popularson American
markets.
When the New York prison COM
mission received charges q few days
ago outlining Q
DRUG Traffic system OF extern
In Prisons. sive traffic In
deadly habit-form-
ing drugs and other narcotics In Sing
Sing prison. drug experts In the Unit
cd States bureau OF chemistry ex-
pressed the fear that the Illicit trad
ing In drugs may be going on In many
prisons and reformatory institutions
Of the country. At the present time
the United States Is leading the world
In In consumption of habit-forming
drugs, and II II claimed that the pres
emit laws make It almost impossible
to put q stop to the Illicit tramc In
these dangerous products.
Many weeks ago there was Q prom
ise that the senate would soon pass
the so-called Harrison bill. which
went through the house Of represen-
tatives last year. and thus put on the
statute books q law which experts
claim will make impossible practically
all OF the Illicit trading In drugs now
going on. This bill, which has been
hung up for q very long time while
In the senate, and which has been
approved by experts in the bureau OF
chemistry. win require that every per-
son who imports. manufactures, sells
or gives away opium. cocaine, NOR
phine, coca leaves. or any Of their
derivatives, shall register his name
with the collector Of internal revenue
OF the district In which the transac-
ton takes place.
The person obtaining any kind Of
habit-forming drugs must not only
register when he makes o purchase.
but he will not be able to sell the
drugs except In pursuance Of q writ
ten order on q form to be issued In
blank by the United States commits
sioner OF internal revenue. In this
way II will be seen that every trans
action in habit.forming drugs can be
followed from the time the products
come into this country until they
reach the hands Of the ultimate con-
sumner.
Currency legislation. Panama tolls,
Central American treaties and the
trust bills have showed much legisla-
ton into the background, including
many bills like the anti-drug measure.
which are considered vitality import
ant. Although the Harrison bill in
its amended form IL not considered
perfect by government experts, they
have hoped for its passage because it