1912. 
THE RURAb NEW-YORKER 
36 
THE FREE SEED DISTRIBUTION. 
B. H., Clarksville Mills, Pa .—Will you 
give me some information about the “free 
seed” distribution? The object in start¬ 
ing it. the quantity of seeds now used, 
where obtained, the cost of seeds, how dis¬ 
tributed. 
Ans.— In 1839 Congress appropriated 
$1,000 to be used by the Commissioner 
of Patents in collecting agricultural 
statistics and for the purchase of new 
and rare varieties of plants. This was 
the first appropriation for this work; 
in 1906 $290,000 was used in this way. 
Between 1839 and 1880 a number of im¬ 
portant new crops were introduced— 
sorghum, Kafir corn and various wheats 
and sugar canes, but gradually the dis¬ 
tribution of flower and vegetable seeds 
became a more prominent feature, and 
by 1890 nearly all the seeds distributed 
were of this class. This has caused 
much criticism, since the distribution of 
seeds which may be bought from any 
seedsman is certainly not the motive 
originally actuating the Government. 
The seeds are allotted to Senators, Rep¬ 
resentatives and Delegates in Congress 
for distribution among their constitu¬ 
ents, and it is often said that a man 
representing a city district will “swap” 
his quota with a rural member for some 
desired consideration, thus bringing in 
a tone of political “graft” that has dis¬ 
credited the distribution. Resolutions 
condemning this distribution, as at pres¬ 
ent conducted, have been passed by 
many farmers’ organizations. On the 
other hand, the Bureau of Plant Intro¬ 
duction is scouring the earth for new 
plants of all kinds that will add to the 
wealth, comfort and beauty of the coun¬ 
try, and worthy new plants are put in 
the hands of people who will test and 
experiment intelligently, thus carrying 
out the idea which led to the establish¬ 
ment of the seed distribution originally, 
and from which it has fallen away. 
For the season of 1912-1913 approxi¬ 
mately 1,200,000 pounds of vegetable 
seeds and 50,000 pounds of flower seeds 
will be required. Bids are made for 
these contracts by the large seedsmen 
at ruling market prices. In the past 
severe criticism has been made of the 
quality of these seeds, but we believe 
that every effort is now made to secure 
standard grades. The fact remains, 
however, that these seeds are such as 
can be bought in the open market, and 
their distribution seems little more de¬ 
fensible than a largess of blue lead 
pencils or carpet tacks. 
Parcels Post In Civilized Countries. 
New Zealand has a parcels post arrange¬ 
ment with the United States, the rate 
being 12 cents a pound each way. In 
1910 property amounting to $58,461 was 
mailed under this parcels post from the 
United States to New Zealand. Practically 
all of this represented small orders and 
direct purchases. About half of it or near¬ 
ly half, was represented by small lots of 
surgical and dental instruments. Then 
there were watches, toys, fancy goods, 
boots and shoes, and all sorts of small 
articles which were ordered by mail from 
New Zealand and shipped by this parcels 
post. A letter may be sent from any part 
of New Zealand to any part of the United 
States for two cents, and the parcels post 
growing from this will soon be very large. 
In New Zealand a large proportion of re¬ 
tail business is transacted by mail. Most 
of the population live far away from the 
other towns. They , cannot pay frequent 
visits, but the mail delivery brings them 
their parcels as desired. The local firms 
cater particularly to such trade. Their 
goods are well advertised, and it is found 
that country people patronize them for 
their mailage business as elsewhere under 
a parcels post. The large mail order houses 
in the cities do not get this mail business, 
but largely cater to large orders sent by 
freight. There can be no question but that 
parcels post is thoroughly established in 
New Zealand. You could not possibly get 
it away from the people. Again in Hon¬ 
duras the people are using a parcels post 
from this country with great effect. A 
man in the interior of Honduras can ob¬ 
tain cheaper postage up to 11 pounds from 
Boston, Mass., than a man living in Spring- 
field, 50 miles away. 
In Germany the system has grown to 
vast proportions. For the last year or so 
there is on record 233,020.211 packages 
sent, without declared value, and 12.839,- 
088 packages with a declared value. In 
Germany postal package up to 111 pounds 
will be accepted. There is no restriction 
as to size, except that the package must 
not be too bulky to be carried on the ear. 
The rates are increased by one-half when 
the packages are over four feet and 10 
inches long in direction, and special rates 
are made for such articles as growing 
plants, birds, living animals or similar 
tilings. 
In Holland packages are carried by par¬ 
cels post up to 11 pounds weight. The 
postal charges run from six cents for a little 
over two pounds up to 10 cents for 11 
pounds. No package shall have a greater 
length than three feet three inches. The 
Dutch parcels post cannot be used for 
sending living animals, explosives or dan¬ 
gerous goods. Otherwise there are no. re¬ 
strictions. In small places the parcels 
post is easily taken care of with ordinary 
mail. In the larger cities there is a spe¬ 
cial force of officials to handle the parcels. 
The letter mail has never suffered on ac¬ 
count of parcels post. In Holland there 
appears to be no express service of parcels 
except after their arrival at the post office. 
when in some cases a local express will 
carry them to their designation. it costs 
six cents to deliver such a package within 
15 minutes’ walk from the post office. As 
in Germany and everywhere else that par¬ 
cels post has been fairly tried, it has be¬ 
come a definite function of government, 
and nothing short of an earthquake throw¬ 
ing the entire country off the earth will 
ever take the privilege away. 
American Medicinal Leaves and Herbs, 
The above is the title of Bulletin No. 
219, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. De¬ 
partment of Agriculture. It is by Alice 
Henkel, whose previous bulletin on “Ameri¬ 
can Medicinal Barks” (No. 139) and “Weeds 
Used in Medicine” (Farmers’ Bulletin No. 
188) are of great value to anyone collect¬ 
ing for the drug trade. The bulletin il¬ 
lustrates and describes 36 familiar medici¬ 
nal plants, gives use. method of collection 
and usual market price. Advice is given 
regarding gathering and drying, and there 
are full lists of local names or synonyms. 
Prices for most of these medicinal plants 
are not high : a large proportion averages 
three to five cents a pound, while some of 
them would probably be salable only in a 
limited way. Celandine, however, is rated 
at six to eight cents a pound, the entire 
plant being collected and dried when it is 
in flower, and the same price is quoted 
for American senna (Cassia marilandica). 
The leaflets of the senna are gathered at 
flowering time, July and August. 
Witch hazel leaves are gathered in Au¬ 
tumn and carefully dried: they bring 
but two to three cents a pound. Bark and 
twigs of the witch hazel are used also. 
Evening primrose brings about five cents 
a pound; the entire plant is used, gathered 
at flowering time. All these plants must 
be dried in shade, and protected from 
dampness, that the product may retain 
color, and be bright and attractive, which 
adds to its salability. 
Yerba Santa of California is a tonic and 
expectorant of standard value: the leaves, 
which are resinous and aromatic, bring 
about five cents a pound. Prince’s pine 
or pipsissewa. and spotted wintergreen sell 
for three or four cents a pound, both 
leaves alone and the whole plant being 
used. We were interested to find mountain 
laurel (Kalrnia latifolia) among these me¬ 
dicinal plants, the leaves being used as an 
astringent. They are collected in the Fall, 
and bring three or four cents a pound. The 
little trailing arbutus or Mayflower Is said 
to have astringent and diuretic properties, 
and the leaves, collected at flowering time, 
bring three or four cents a pound. The 
same price is paid for wintergreen leaves, 
which are collected in Autumn. Hore- 
hound only brings 1% to two cents a 
pound, and we are told it is now so plenti¬ 
ful in Southern California that it is cov¬ 
ering vast areas, and crowding out other 
vegetation. It is naturalized from Europe. 
Our old enemy jimson weed is the source 
of stramonium, and the leaves bring two to 
five cents a pound. Foxglove, which is 
a handsome garden plant with extremely 
poisonous properties, is chiefly imported 
from Europe : the leaves bring six to eight 
cents a pound. Our little friend, the par- 
tridgeberry or squaw vine, is listed at 3% 
to four cents a pound. The western Orin" 
delia. so useful in ivy poisoning, commands 
five to 10 cents a pound. Even Canada 
fleabane, a most annoying weed in the gar¬ 
den, is worth five to six cents a pound, 
having value in controlling hemorrhages. 
This is a very interesting bulletin, 
whether one is engaged in collecting medici¬ 
nal plants or not. Indeed, in common 
with Miss Henkel’s previous bulletin s on 
similar lines, we think it would be found 
valuable by nature students in presenting 
a very entertaining side of botanical study. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
IN MATCHTOWN 
Fortunately no Faith Was Required, For 
She Had None. 
“I had no faith whatever, but on the 
advice of a hale, hearty old gentleman 
who spoke from experience, I began to 
use Grape-Nuts about 2 years ago,” 
writes an Ohio woman, who says she is 
40, is known to be fair, and admits that 
she is growing plump on the new diet. 
“I shall not try to tell you how I suf¬ 
fered for years from a deranged stom¬ 
ach that rejected almost all sorts of 
food, and digested what little was 
forced upon it only at the cost of great 
distress and pain. 
“I was . treated by many different 
doctors and they gave me many differ¬ 
ent medicines, and I even spent several 
years in exile from my home, thinking 
change of scene might do me good. 
You may judge of t\ie gravity of my 
condition when I tell you I was some¬ 
times compelled to use morphine for 
weeks at a time. 
“For two years I have eaten Grape- 
Nuts food at least twice a day and I 
can now say that I have perfect health. 
I have taken no medicine in that time— 
Grape-Nuts has done it all. I can eat 
absolutely anything I wish, without 
stomach distress. 
“I am a business woman and can walk 
my two or three miles a day and feel 
better for doing so. I have to use 
brains in my work, and it is remarkable 
how quick, alert and tireless my mental 
powers have become.” Name given by 
Postum Co., Battle Creek, Mich. 
“There’s a reason,” and it is explained 
in the little book, “The Road to Well- 
vine,” in pkgs. 
Ever read the above letter ? A new one 
appears from time to time. They are genu* 
ine, true, and full of human interest. 
EMPIRE 
GRAIN DRILLS 
The Empire Feed 
has always been 
noted for accurate 
sowing. Peas, 
Beans, Beets, Corn, Oats, Wheat, Grass Seed, Flax, Alfalfa—no matter 
what kind of seed you want to sow—the Empire correctly sows it. While 
the cut below illustrates an 8x8 Empire Hoe Drill, * 
you can get any size with Single Disks, Double Disks, § 
Hoes or Shoes in grain or fertilizer styles. There is an 
Empire Drill for every need—guar¬ 
anteed to do all we claim. Send for 
the Empire Catalogue and insist on 
seeing the Empire. 
TheAhefucam Seeding- ffacHiNEfa. 
RichmondJndiana. . 
U. 
Plain or 
Fertiliser 
Free Box of Samples 
sent to your station, charges prepaid. 
All sizes, 2 inches to 20 inches, delivered. 
Prices quoted on request. 
THE E. BIGLOW CO., 
BOX C 
NEW LONDON, OHIO 
SEE™.sSAW 
Appleton Wood Saws 
ARE GUARANTEED 
Get Our Free Booklet— It 
describes and illustrates 
the different styles and 
will help you pick out the 
very saw you need. As we 
manufacture an extensive 
line of saws, you cannot 
choose without this book¬ 
let. IVrite now. 
APPLETON MFG. CO. 
Est. 87 Fargo Street 
1872 Batavia. 111. 
SAVE HALF THE LABOR 
in sawing wood. You can do 
this and at the same time, 
cut more wood in a given 
time than in any other way 
by using 
“3 
Table is mounted on grooved rolls.moves 
easily—cut of saw is down instead of 
against the operator as in old style ma¬ 
chines. Must bo seen to be appreciated. We also 
manufacture Drag Saws, Saw and Shingle Mills. 
Get oar pt icca on Cunvn. Belting; they will surprise you. 
Send for prices and full information. “Ask ahout Uolsts.’’ 
Ireland Machine & Foundry Co.,14 State St.,Norwich,N.Y. 
HE SMITH STUMP PULLER 
This photograph shows the work of the Smith Stump 
liter,pulling stumps with two ponies, stumps that run 
im 4 to 6 Jeet through, at an average cost of 5 cents 
•r stump. Write for our free Catalog. 
SMITH GRUBBER CO.. 16 Smith S»a„ la Cr escent, Minn . 
SAVE HALF Your 
Paint Bills 
By using INGERSOLL PAINT — proved 
best by 66 years’ use. It will please you. 
Only Paint endorsed by the “Grange.’' 
Made in all colors,—for all purposes. 
DELIVERED FREE. 
From the Mill Direct to You at Factory Prices. 
INGERSOLL PAINT BOOK —FREE 
Tells all about Paint and Painting fT Durability. 
How to avoid trouble and expense caused by paint* 
fading, chalking and peeling. Valuable information 
free to you. with Sample Color Cards. Writ* mo. DO 
IT NOW. lean lave you money. 
0. W. Ingersoll, 246 Plymouth St., Brooklyn. N.Y. 
GREAT CROP RESULTS 
from the nsoof Martin’s Animal Bone and Tankage 
Fertilizers force us to operate a third factory; total 
capacity, 200,000 tons. Seven large abattoirs and 
stockyards furnish the bulk of our raw materials. 
Agents and farmers constantly assure us that our 
fertilizers give the best results of any ever tested 
and that they sell more than of any ever handled. 
Agents and farmers wanting strictly independent 
animal matter fertilizers, with exclusive selling 
territory, should arrange with us NOW. 
D. B. MARTIN CO. building Pittsburgh, Pa. 
ernald 
Quick- 
Shifts 
Save yonr energy and 
your time. Stop that 
eternal shaft rattle. 
Get Fernald Quick- 
Shifts. MakepoTeand 
shafts instantly interchangeable. On ami off 
without tools. Safe, strong, indispensable. 
85e. a pair,all hardware, Carriage and harness 
dealers, or 85c. from us. 
Fernald Manufacturing Co., Inc., North Ea>t, Pa. 
Makers of Spitzli Coupler and Anti- battler, 
Fernald Dash Kein Holders and Fernald Double 
Trace Holders. 
STOUT DURABLE 
STRONG CHEAP 
B P.OWN FENCES will outlast any other 
because of heavier wires and thicker gal¬ 
vanizing. 100 styles for all purposes. Also 
Lawn Fences and Gates. 
Bargain Prices, 13c Per Rod Up 
delivered at your railway station. Send today 
for catalog and free sample for test. 
The Brown Fence 6c Wire Company 
Dept. 59 Cleveland, Ohio 
Harvey Bolster Springs 
I prevent damage to eggs, garden truck* fruits, live stock! 
Ion road to market. Make any wagon a spring wagon. Soon! 
■ save cost—produce brings bigger prices—wagon lasts! 
■ longer—horses benefited—thousands in use—“my wagon! 
^PAQU TAT LfQ” This is our 
1 Salesman 
The Fertilizer Materials Supply Co. 
Wr°e s fertilizer materials f ms e 
Also complete Fertilizers for general purposes, and 
Special Mixtures of any grade made up to 
order, under buyer’s supervision 
’Phene 3958 Jehu 
80 Wall Street, New Yerk 
Ask about our 
Special January 
Discount 
/ 
Finely Greund—Easy to 
Handle—Needs no Slak¬ 
ing—Ready to Drill . . . 
L 
WHY pay $25 por 
ton for fertilizers 
whon by using 
lime you can lib¬ 
erate the natural 
phosphates, ni¬ 
trates and potash 
locked up in the 
soil. 
WHY not raise 
Alfalfa by nsing 
lime and cut down 
your grain ration 
one-third. 
WHY not sweeten 
your sour soils and increase the yield of 
grain,cabbages, beets,clover and Timothy. 
Send for circulars, samples and prices 
THE S0LVAY PROCESS CO., Syracuse, New York 
LIME 
TRADE MARK REGISTERED IN U. S. PATENT OFFICE- 
. . . MANUFACTURED ONLY BY . , . 
*Ihe Rogers & Hubbard Co., 
Middletown, Conn. 
Send for free Almanac telling all about 
Hubbard’s “ Bone Base” Fertilizers. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page 
