26 REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



of seeds of noxious weeds, injurious insects, or the germs ot disease. 

 Improved methods have also been applied to the handling of seed in 

 its receipt, its preparation for distribution, and its final disposition; 

 and it will be my endeavor to continue to inaugurate new and improved 

 systems as rapidly as the service may require. 



For a continuation of the distribution, as required by the present law, 

 I have submitted the usual estimate. There is one x)hasc of the law, 

 however, to which I would respectfully call your attention. It re- 

 quires that a report of experiments shall be made by those receiving 

 the new and valuable seeds which the Department distributes, the evi- 

 dent intent being that the Department shall be kept informed of the 

 success or non-success of experiments with seeds which it purchases, 

 especially for experimental purposes. In a vast majority of cases this 

 design of the law, unfortunately, is not complied with. 



Two-thirds of all seeds, plants, and cuttings may be distributed by 

 Senators, Eepresentatives, and Delegates in Congress direct, and their 

 constituents do not feel in duty bound to report results to the Depart- 

 ment. It is obvious that these representatives of the people are better 

 acquainted with the best intelligence and needs of their respective dis- 

 tricts than the Department is ; while, on the other hand, it must be 

 admitted that the Department understands better than others, the 

 nature and habits of the seeds and plants it distributes ; and it is a 

 matter for serious consideration on the part of Congress whether or not 

 some systematic plan of co-operation may not be fixed upon between 

 this Department and Members of Congress, by which the former can 

 have a better control over the distribution than it now has, and make 

 the distribution a condition precedent to a compliance with simjile but 

 important requirements, and thus reap the greatest benefit from the 

 distribution; while the latter can continue to give the Department the 

 benefit of advice and experience by furnishing lists of those who can 

 best serve the interests of their several localities, by carrying on ex- 

 periments to test the value of the seeds and plants distributed. 



Another reason for a change of systems, in this respect, is that the 

 quota of one-third of ail the seeds, &c., purchased, at present allowed 

 to the Department, is insufficient to enable it to meet its own legitimate 

 debt of obligation to its thousands of correspondents, and others who 

 can receive no other favor from the Department in consideration for im- 

 portant and valuable services rendered. The Department keenly feels 

 that this debt should first be met, and the remaining seeds are not suf- 

 ficient to carry on experiments in a comprehensive manner. The intel- 

 ligent and progressive farmer of to-day, with whom the Department 

 wishes to deal, is unwilling to give the requisite attention and time to a 

 handful of grain, and he should not be asked to do so, nor would such 

 experiment result in any great benefit. No good can come firom the 

 distribution of a pint of seed where a bushel is needed. 



