SEED DIVISION. 655 
Seed is the foundation of farming, and good seed of good farming. 
All seeds should be tested both for vitality and purity. It is a fact 
well known by practical seedsmen that a very small percentage of 
impure seeds means very many in a bushel. 
n the last decade a new impetus has been given to the agricult- 
uralinterests of our country. Our Southern farmers and the new set- 
tlers of our Western Territories have awakened to the necessity of 
. utilizing more fully the great advantages we possess in soil, climate, 
and productiveness. The question as to what seeds are best adapted 
to different localities, even in the same latitude, but affected by various 
altitudes, winds, and ocean currents, is becoming one of no small 
importance, and points to the practical benefit of judicious care in 
the selection of seeds to be planted and great watchfulness as to 
results. 
This is most fully illustrated in the case of Florida. Allof Florida 
lying south of the twenty-ninth parallel is in a belt of northeasterly 
winds and can not therefore be included with e\ en Georgia, Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Louisiana in climatic conditions or productions. The 
inference from observation connected with these facts is, that food 
and fodder plants for this section must be sought and found in coun- 
tries having climatic conditions similar to its own. 
It is believed from these climatic comparisons that Florida, the 
arid portions of southern Texas, and southern California must look 
to Egypt, India, and Japan for vegetable stock. The Department 
has and can aid materially in being able to furnish these new and 
valuable seeds for experiment in localities seemingly adapted to their 
successful cultivation. The Government holds it in its power to do 
this, where private enterprise would fail for want of means or requi- 
site information on the subject. In furtherance of this design and 
in accordance with the law establishing the Department of Agricult- 
ure for the purchase and distribution of such seeds as are ‘‘rare or 
uncommon to the country” substantial progress has been made by 
the Department. 
The farmers in western Texas are earnestly endeavoring to find 
grains that will germinate, grow, and mature with the smallest 
amount of water, which, though limited to 10 or 15 inches of rain- 
fall each year, may yet be made a growing quantity. The great 
question now being asked by this growing section of country is how 
to use sunshine and rain to the best interest of the farmer. By means 
of the cordial co-operation of the Botanist of the Department with 
this Division; seconded by the earnest efforts of the Commissioner, a 
measurable degree of success has attended the procuring and intro- 
duction of several new and valuable grasses for both summer and 
winter grazing on some of these half-barren plains, where, without 
suitable grasses, agriculture must necessarily be neglected and prog- 
ress retarded. 
In the solution of an agricultural problem of so much importance 
in a country extending through so widearange of latitude, a climate 
so diversified, and with agricultural interests the greatest in the 
oh ae the Department of Agriculture must ever be an important 
actor. 
The tendency to place all sorts of vegetable seeds upon the market 
under new names will continue until some system shall be inaugu- 
rated conjointly by the creation of a purely Agricultural Museum 
under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture and with 
