No. 123.] RErORT OF COMMISSIONER. 15 



fall during the previous winter and the consequent inadequate 

 irrigation, have cut production from 2.5 to 50 per cent of normal. 

 This condition is aggravated by the absence of the usual "carry 

 over" from the previous season's crop, which will necessitate 

 complete reliance upon this year's yields for our supply. 



The crop of garden beans is only 50 to 75 per cent of normal, 

 but there is an appreciable "carry over" from last year. Con- 

 sequently, there will be no serious shortage in the garden bean 

 seed trade. 



Growers in the South Atlantic and Southern States report a 

 shortage of 25 to 55 per cent on the locally grown seed oats and 

 rye. The field and seed corn, by far the most important seed 

 crops raised in Massachusetts, are reported as having had a 

 favorable out-turn and quality. The season was long and 

 adequate to insure maturity. 



The grass seed trade seems to be assured of a sufficient sup- 

 ply of fair quality, but good samples are reported scarce by 

 many seedsmen. An increase in price is predicted, chargeable 

 to increased labor costs. Millets are short, excepting Golden 

 millet, which appears in good supply. The total receipts of red 

 clover up to June 30, 1919, as compiled by the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Markets, show a reduc- 

 tion of about 12 per cent on the figures obtained a year ago. 

 Prominent Massachusetts seed firms are agreed in their predic- 

 tion of a short supply of red clover seed, and, further, that the 

 price will probably be equal to that of last year, when red clover 

 seed prices were about as high as known. The quality of this 

 year's clovers does not vary materially from previous years. 

 Heavy importations in crimson clover were experienced during 

 July, to which, no doubt, decline in price may be attributed. 

 On July 1 the total available supply exceeded by 300,000 pounds 

 the figures reported at this time last year. 



The onion seed crop in the far West is considered to be aver- 

 age and of good quality, whereas the Middle and Eastern States 

 report slightly lesser yields. The general condition is average. 



With the possible exception of both field and sweet corn, 

 Massachusetts is dependent upon the rest of the country and 

 foreign countries for its seed supply. There is oft'ered here a 

 broad field for trained men to develop this branch of agriculture 

 in Massachusetts. 



