DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS AND PLANTS. 11 



In addition to the test for viability, samples of each lot of seed 

 are tested by the horticultnrist of the Bureau and his assistants on 

 the trial ground of the Department at the Arlington Experimental 

 Farm in Virginia. Here also is tested a more or less complete collec- 

 tion of varieties of vegetable and flower seeds, especially new strains 

 or novelties offered by seedsmen in their spring catalogues. (See 

 figs. 2 and 3.) In the case of seeds grown for the Department under 

 contract, the seed fields are inspected at the proper season by experts 

 imd rogued (that is, plants not true to type are removed) if necessary, 

 or if too badly mixed for roguing the contract is canceled. After 

 harvest samples of the seed are tested the same as those from surplus 

 stocks. It is the aim of the Bureau to have its seed experts visit all 

 the principal seed-growing nections and keep well informed as to the 

 quality and purity of stocks of the different growers throughout the 

 country. If the stocks of any grower are found to have deteriorated 

 or have become mixed, no purchases of such stocks are made there- 

 after. 



WHERE SEEDS ARE GROWN. 



Most vegetable seeds and many of the flower seeds are grown in 

 this country, seed growing as a business having assumed large pro- 

 portions within recent years. Formerly most of the seed produced 

 m Ihe United States was grown within 100 miles of New York City, 

 that is, in Connecticut, on Long Island, in eastern Pennsylvania, and 

 in New Jersey. In the last 50 years, however, the business has ex- 

 tended across the continent. Lettuce and radish, the two largest 

 items in the congressional distribution, are grown in California, 

 which leads the world in their production. (See figs. 4 and 5.) Not- 

 withstanding the large quantities of flower seed produced in Cali- 

 fornia, most of the American supply continues to be grown in 

 Europe (especially in Germany and France) and northern Africa, 

 where it can be produced at less expense than in this country. The 

 principal vegetable and flower seed-growing districts of the United 

 States are shown in figure G. Varieties not indicated on the map are 

 procured in Europe. 



HOW SEEDS ARE PACKETED AND MAILED. 



The vegetable and flower seed which is found satisfactory and 

 accepted for distribution is shipped into Washington d\u'ing the late 

 fall and winter months, where it is packeted, assembled, and mailed 

 b}^ contract. This contract includes labor, printed packets and en- 

 velopes, filling packets and placing them in the envelopes, sealing, 

 franking, and hauling to the post office or direct to the mail cars. 

 The packeting is done by machines, which automatically measure 



[Tir. 100] 



