16 DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS AND PLANTS. 



Another and very popular feature of the distribution is the sending 

 out annually of about 20.000 packages of lawn grass seed mixture 

 of the best qua lit 3^ obtainable, composed of Kentucky bluegrass, 80 

 per cent ; redtop, 15 per cent, and white clover, 5 per cent by weight. 



The growing importance of the beet-sugar industry in this country 

 and the dependence of the farmers and factories upon Europe for 

 their supply of seed led the Department a few years ago to include 

 several thousand pounds of improved strains of sugar-beet seed in 

 the congressional distribution and to make careful tests of the seed 

 of the different varieties in sections where it seemed probable that 

 beet seed could be produced successfully, with a view not only of 

 obtaining American-grown seed for the distribution but of encour- 

 aging the establishment of a new and profitable industry. 



For many years, also, large quantities of grass seeds, alfalfas, 

 vetches, clovers, sorghums, cowpeas, soy beans, and other valuable 

 field and forage crop and miscellaneous seeds have been tested by 

 careful growers in the field and distributed upon congressional re- 

 quests and to collaborators of the department. The distribution of 

 these seeds has undoubtedly led to their cultivation in communities 

 where before they were practically unknown; has tended to encour- 

 age the diversification of crops, especially in the South and West ; and 

 has greatly extended the area in which such crops form a part of 

 the regular farming system. 



The miscellaneous field seeds are tested for purity and viability 

 in the Seed Laboratory and for trueness to varietal type and adapta- 

 tion on the trial grounds of the Department and in the field, the same 

 as vegetable seed. In connection with this class of seeds, special 

 equipment is maintained for fanning, cleaning, and fumigating 

 whenever necessary. 



The principal sections in the United States where the field seeds 

 mentioned in the preceding paragraph are grown are shown in 

 figure 9. 



INTRODUCTION OF RARE SEEDS AND PLANTS. 



As already pointed out, when the seed distribution was first estab- 

 lished it was mainly with the idea of securing new and rare seeds 

 and plants from ioreign countries for introduction and distribution 

 in this country. The original intent of the laAv was never lost sight 

 of, notwithstanding the great increase in the quantity of standard, 

 well-known varieties required to meet the demand. Seeds and plants 

 of many valuable crops and fruits were introduced from abroad 

 which were rare, new, or little known in the United States. Among 

 these may be mentioned new varieties of sorghum. Kafir corn, rice, 

 oats, barley, wheat, and other cereals and forage crops, peaches, 



[Cir. 100] 



