The Plain Truth About 
The 1936 Farm Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1935 are taken, as far as 
possible, from the final Government Crop Report, issued December 18, 1935, by the 
U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
A birds-eye view of the nation’s crops shows about average yields on a rather light 
acreage. 
ALFALFA. The production of Alfalfa seed is estimated at 822,900 bushels, which 
about equals that of 1934 and the 5-year (1928-32) average. However, the production in 
the northern states where our hardy seed originates is considerably below normal. This 
is especially true of the Grimm variety. 
SWEET CLOVER. The production of Sweet Clover seed declined from 626,100 
bushels in 1934 to 558,888 bushels in 1935, which is 37 per cent below the 5-year (1928- 
32) average production. 
MEDIUM and MAMMOTH CLOVER. A production of about 750,000 bushels is 
estimated. This is the smallest crop harvested in many years, and is 35 per cent below 
the 5-year (1928-32) average. The severe drought of 1934 greatly decreased the acreage 
available for seed production in 1935. 
ALSIKE CLOVER. A production of about 283,000 bushels is estimated. This is 
32 per cent below the 5-year (1928-32) average of 417,000 bushels. 
TIMOTHY. The Timothy seed production is estimated at 2,849,400 bushels. This 
is ten times greater than the very low production of 261,900 bushels harvested in 1934. 
This year’s crop is 83 per cent above the 5-year (1928-32) average and is the largest crop 
harvested since 1927. 
SEED EARLEY. The total Barley crop is estimated at 292,249,000 bushels. This is 
slightly above the 5-year (1928-32) average production of 282,841,000 bushels. Good 
seed Barley is not as plentiful in the East as the total crop might indicate, due to un¬ 
favorable weather during final stages of growth and during harvest. 
SEED OATS. The total Oat crop is estimated at 1,195,435,000 bushels. This is 
about equal to the 5-year average. As a rule the Oat crop is running very light in weight, 
and quality poor. Good seed Oats are scarce and are selling considerably above the basic 
price of feeding Oats. We are fortunate in having a good supply of heavy Oats. 
SEED CORN. The total Corn crop is estimated at 2,202,852,000 bushels. This is 
60 per cent larger than the short crop of last year but is 14 per cent smaller than the 
5-year (1928-32) average. Due to excessive moisture, lack of sunshine, and early freezes, 
much Corn in the principal Corn-producing states shows low germination. The outlook 
for good seed Corn in many sections of the country is not good and we are inclined to 
believe that high-germinating seed Corn may be scarce in the spring. Our own supply 
was grown where conditions were more favorable and at present we have an excellent 
stock on hand. 
SEED POTATOES. The total Potato crop is estimated at 356,406,000 bushels. This 
compares with 385,421,000 bushels last year and a 5-year (1928-32) average of 363,367,000 
bushels. A drought in Maine, floods and dry weather in New York and Pennsylvania, 
and sudden freezing weather in the Midwest have reduced the 1935 Potato crop. Late 
blight also reduced the crop in many sections. The crop in the three principal eastern 
late Potato states, Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania, is estimated at 82,662,000 
bushels or 39,138,000 bushels less than last year and 10,018,000 bushels less than the 
5-year (1928-32) average. The East is not burdened with Potatoes as it was a year ago. 
The supply of Certified seed in the East will be considerably less. New York state will 
have only about half as much as a year ago and Pennsylvania 60 per cent of a year ago. 
The Maine crop is smaller and, due to inferior type, is sorting heavy. The short crop in 
the East presents an entirely different marketing situation this year and prices should 
hold steady throughout the season. 
