REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE SEED DIVISION.

SIR: I have the honor to submit to you my report of the operations of this Division for the past year. This report consists mainly of the tables showing the distribution of secds as to quantity, kind, and method of distribution, and also the quantity and kinds distributed to foreign countries, and of the condensed reports from correspondents.

A comparison between the table showing the quantity of seeds distributed and the reports from correspondents illustrates strikingly the force of the comment made in last year's report for this Division on the difficulty of making the average recipient of this bounty from the National Government comprehend that in return he is bound to report the results of the trial given to seeds sent him. The seeds sent abroad are usually sent in response to requests received through the representatives of these countries, or our own consuls resident therein, and are so sent most frequently in return for similar cour tesies extended to this Department through the same channels.

A comparison of the distribution of seeds with that of the previous year will show an increase in the past year over the former by nearly a million of packages. The amount distributed also is far in excess of any previous years. It should be remembered, in considering this fact, that the appropriations for the year covered by the present report were just the same as for previous years, and that the larger amount of seed made available therefor was due entirely to a better system adopted in the purchase thereof. The plan adopted by your direction--the employment of a special agent who should personally visit various sections of the country, and inspect the places where the seeds were produced, as well as the seeds themselves-is to be credited with this great economy which has effected so great a saving in the aggregate cost of the seeds as to insure the purchase of this largely increased quantity without any increased expenditure. Moreover, this system of personal inspection has resulted in securing an improved quality of seed. Altogether, the outcome of last year's work in this direction is most gratifying, and fully confirms the most sanguine anticipations as to the results of this new departure.

It will be observed by reference to the first table that the aggregate distribution to State and county statistical agents and corre spondents, and agricultural experiment stations, colleges, and associations, amounted to nearly half a million packages. As regards the statistical agents and correspondents, this distribution is in the nature of an acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by these gentlemen gratuitously to the Statistical Division of this Department. As regards the distribution to the agricultural sta

tions, colleges, and associations, it is obvious that as long as the present system of distribution continues, and the difficulties of obtaining reliable and prompt reports of results from the average recipient remain, we must rely mainly upon these institutions and associations for such careful trial of the seeds sent out, and such trustworthy reports as to results as will enable us to compile records of value to this Department in regard to the comparative value of different seeds and the special adaptability of certain varieties to particular localities. I shall endeavor during the coming year, with your approval, to enlarge this channel of distribution and to establish it upon a still more systematic basis.

I regret to have to emphasize in the present report the remarks made by my predecessor last year with reference to the inadequacy of the accommodations in the present building, both for the efficient performance of the duties involved by the distribution and for the proper handling and storage of the seeds as they are received and held for distribution. Even though there are no possibilities of remedying this state of affairs under the present conditions of the Department's building facilities, the results of our inadequate accommodations are so grave that I feel I should be remiss in the performance of my duty, were I not to call attention once more to the inconveniences from which this Division is suffering. Respectfully submitted.

J. B. PECK,

Chief of the Seed Division.

CONDENSED REPORTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS.

ALABAMA.

Cotton. The Champion Cluster is an excellent variety; it is long limbed, but has large bolls and a fine staple; it yielded 38 pounds of lint to 100 pounds of seed cotton. The Wimberly made from twenty to thirty bolls to the stock, had very superior lint, and seems well adapted to this section. Shine's Prolific matured early, and yielded about 300 pounds of seed cotton.

Sorghum.-The Red Liberian made a fine yield of very superior sirup.

Wheat. Currell's Prolific grew rapidly and made a good crop, was not affected by rust, the kernel not being quite as large as the sample.

Vegetables. The seeds received from the Department were all planted with gratifying results; the Early Surehead cabbage, the Early Puritan and the Trophy tomatoes are worthy of special commendation. The large Wethersfield onions were a success in all respects.

ARKANSAS.

Buckwheat.-The Japanese made a large yield, the flour being of very fine quality, and it is well adapted to this locality.

Cotton.-Wimberly's Improved is an excellent variety, with long lint and strong fiber, and is highly recommended for future planting.

Tobacco.-The Caboni is reported as an excellent variety for the northwestern section of this State.

Wheat.-The new Genesee made an excellent growth, the grain was entirely free from rust, and yielded better than the common kinds. The Rudy (bearded) is reported as making excellent flour, the grains and heads much larger than other varieties, and perfectly free from rust. The Velvet Chaff had very plump grains; one quart of seed yielded one half bushel of wheat.

Vegetables.-The Alaska pea is reported as being ten days earlier than other varieties and superior in all respects. The Edinburgh Beauty pea was very prolific, and very sweet. The Black Wax beans proved to be all that was claimed for them. Ely's King of the Earliest tomatoes were very early and prolific.

CALIFORNIA

Sorghum.-The Honduras cane yielded nearly double the amount of sirup that the other varieties did.

Vegetables.-Carter's Stratagem peas grew well, were very early, and very prolific. Edmund's Imperial turnip beet was very sweet and succulent.

COLORADO.

Wheal. The New Mediterranean has been very successfully raised in the southeastern part of the State.

Vegetables.-The Eclipse beet did well, some specimens weighing 10 pounds and measuring 26 inches in circumference. The Yellow Danvers onions were uniform in size, and one of the best varieties for this climate. The Orange Cream pumpkins were excellent.

CONNECTICUT.

Buckwheat.-The Japanese did very well, yielding a third larger crop than the old varieties and was highly satisfactory.

Wheat.-The Velvet Chaff did exceedingly well. It came up nicely, stooled out well, and made a strong growth, reaching the height of 4 feet. One quart of seed yielded one half bushel, weighing 314 pounds. It can be profitably grown in this section.

Vegetables.-The Pee & Kay corn was very early; the ears were large and very sweet. The Kidney Wax beans were of superior quality. Lane's Imperial beet made a large growth of fine vegetables, and they were very smooth and solid.

FLORIDA.

Clover. The Japan germinated well, but was injured by protracted drought. The Luzerne also proved to be a fine variety.

Teosinte.-Grows rapidly, and was cut every twenty or twenty-five days during the season, and was more generally sought after by stock than the millet; but the seasons are too short to mature seed.

Vegetables.-The Citron melons were very fine; every seed germinated; each seed produced from five to ten good-sized melons. The Livingston tomatoes grew to perfection. The Osage muskmelons were very delicious, of good size, and delicate in flavor. The Miller Cream muskmelons were very fine in size and rich in flavor.

GEORGIA.

Cotton. The Ellsworth proved to be a most remarkable and valuable variety. several stalks yielding as high as two hundred full-grown and well-developed bolls, The Wimberly is a long-limbed variety, the limbs coming out all around, having what is technically termed a well-balanced stalk; the lint was very good, and the seed seemed pure.

Clover.-The Japan and Sanfoin were both well adapted to this soil and climate; the Japan is a fine fattening plant for all kinds of stock.

Grasses.-The Texas Blue and the Rescue are both finely adapted to this section. Vegetables.-The Dark Icing watermelon had a thin rind, crimson flesh, and was of excellent flavor, and was a decided success. The Black Wax beans can not be excelled for sweetness and tenderness.

ILLINOIS.

Corn.-The Piasa King was of vigorous growth and produced 40 bushels to the

acre.

Oats. - The Improved American grew to the height of 4 feet and yielded nice, plump oats. The White Wonder stood the dry weather very well, the straw being about 2 feet high, and the grain was sound and good.

Clover.-The Alfalfa stood the drought much better than other varieties grown under the same circumstances.

Wheat. The reports upon the success of Velvet Chaff in this section are highly satisfactory; it was very early and yielded 22 bushels to the acre, 25 per cent better than other varieties which stood near it. It is ironclad in regard to standing hard winters. The Fulcaster is considered by some farmers as the best for this section,