Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-11
NO MORE FREE SEEDS
T FREDERIo y. HAsKIH-

-7ASHINGTON, D. c., July 25--When the agricul-
w tural appropriation bill voted out of COM
w mittee this year it contained curt and un-
apologize amendment abolishing old and esteemed
political customthe annual free distribution OF gar
den seeds members congress their constituents
This CUSTOM which originated in the early days of
the republic is now degenerated into
a political graft unworthy of statesmen
and in the majority of cases. unwelcome to the con-
sttuents. beginning the practice Instituted
BENJAMIN Franklin who back various roots and
seeds gathered visits Europe, suggesting to
they distributed throughout the coun-
try for experimental propagation. In this way many
species of European plants were introduced
into this country Now, however, the collection and
dissemination species is carried entirely by
department of agriculture through its representa-
tives i'm Europe and through its experimental farms
i'm this country The seeds distributed under the
gressional include only such well established
radshes, beans, onions and tobacco;
nasturtiums sweet marigolds and sunflowers
which may be found growing almost every farm and
in a great many back yards all over the country.
The members of congress have nothing to do with
the passing the appropriation for their
purchase making the lists of constituents to
whom they are to be sent They are bought by the
department agriculture upon the system that
other government supplies bought At the begin
ming year the department sends lists Of the
varieties required for spring distribution
wholesale firms both in this country and abroad
the contract is awarded to the most satisfactory
Certain stipulations given concerning the
standard of seeds desired and they are supposed
the tests of the department scientists. but
handling tremendous quantities seeds these
specifications necessarily largely perfunctory.
of fact package of radshes is likely
contain lettuce, and instead of being the soft
variety naturally expected from expert
as Uncle Sam it often of thick
texture cabbage.
Under these circumstances, constituents
usually disappointed and panied, and instead of receiv
ing the praise benevolent benefacor the member
of congress is occasionally the victim of bitter vuper
alton. One congressman received letter from
stituent. asking him please not to send him
seeds if desired his vote. The before, he
serted he spent hours of perfectly good leisure
plantng congressional seeds in his only to have
unexpected undesirable plants A few small
fra radishes where he had thought he planted
nasturiums sweet alysum in his parsley bed,
while several packages seed which he had carefully
Natered and weeded never at all. This unpop
ularity the seeds in many may have had it's
influence urging the senators to abolish the practice
1t gives average citizen, however, a pleasing
sense Importance to receive mail if it be
eminent for which he really helps pay under
of his district congressman This Importance
grows even larger when the package of
seeds is addressed his wife. He points with pride
tn his bed OF struggling petunias and explains with
studied careessness that these government specimens
were presented him by Smith Jones of his district
The seeds may actually liability but the distnc-
ton conferred upon citizen, who knows very little
about parliamentary procedure is usually sufficient to
bring forth favorable vote.
This was a few than now.
Today even the remote farmer is familiar with
the congressional distribution sand is that
is nothing but form. In great many instances,
according received by various members the
seeds are Immediately thrown into the waste basket
given to the children to play with One