The Plain Truth About 
The 7938 Farm Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1937 are taken, as far as possible, from 
the final Government Crop Report, issued December 17, 1937, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
For the fifth successive year there were heavy drought losses in certain areas, but in spite of this 
fact the figures clearly show that in most parts of the country this has been a season of exceptionally 
heavy crop-yields. Two of the few crops to show a real shortage this season are Clover Seed and 
northern-grown Alfalfa Seed. 
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ALFALFA SEED. The production of Alfalfa Seed is estimated at 943,000 bushels, which is slightly 
larger than last year and a little above the 5-year (1928-32) average. The carry-over from last year is 
very small, and the production in the northern and central states is far below normal. The drought 
of 1936, which killed many seedings, was responsible for the very small production in the northern 
states and in Canada. As a result, there is a serious shortage of hardy northern-grown Alfalfa Seed. 
Avoid cheap seed of unknown origin. Our Alfalfa Seed is of verified origin and all northern-grown. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED. The production of Sweet Clover Seed is estimated at 954,100 bushels, 
or 11 per cent larger than the 1928-32 average of 858,520 bushels. The crop is 24 per cent larger than 
the estimate of 770,000 bushels for 1936. Due to the scarcity of northern-grown Alfalfa and Clover 
Seed there will be a good demand for Sweet Clover Seed. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH CLOVER SEED. The production of Red Clover is estimated at 
about 500,000 bushels. This is only one-half the average annual consumption of 1,000,000 bushels. 
There was very little carry-over from the short crop of 1936. These figures plainly show the acute 
shortage of Red Clover Seed for this year. Purchase requirements early and avoid European seed which 
is being imported in a large volume. 
ALSIKE CLOVER SEED. The crops of Alsike in the important producing sections of the Middle 
West and in Canada were just about a failure this past summer. The average consumption of Alsike 
is about 400,000 bushels. This year’s crop is estimated at about 200,000 bushels or one-half the average 
annual consumption. The price of Alsike wall be high. 
TIMOTHY SEED. The production of 2,349,700 bushels of Timothy Seed is more than two and 
one-half times the 1936 estimate and 43 per cent larger than the average production (1928-32). Timo¬ 
thy Seed is cheap. Sow it freely wherever it is practical to do so. 
SEED BARLEY. The total crop of Barley is estimated at 219,635,000 bushels. This crop is 49 per 
cent larger than the short crop of 1936, but 22 per cent below the 5-year (1928-32) average. The crop 
is running light in weight and, as a result, good Seed Barley is not as plentiful as the total crop might 
indicate. 
SEED OATS. The total Oat crop is estimated at 1,146,258,000 bushels. This is about a normal 
crop when compared with the 5-year (1928-32) average. In many sections of the country we find the 
Oat crop running very light in weight and unfit for seed. As a result, good Seed Oats will be in demand. 
SEED CORN. The estimated production of Corn for all purposes in 1937 was 2,644,995,000 bushels. 
This is about 75 per cent larger than the short crop of 1936 and slightly larger than the 5-year (1928- 
32) average. Conditions for growth were favorable over most of the eastern Corn-belt and, as a result, 
we have excellent stocks of high-germinating Seed Com. 
The 1937 Crop of Potatoes 
The final figures for 1937 show a production of 391,159,000 bushels, compared with the revised 
estimate of 331,918,000 bushels for 1936. The present crop ranks well up among the large crops that 
the country has produced. Markets are low and prices will probably fluctuate within a narrow range. 
There are good supplies of practically all varieties of Seed Potatoes this year. Take advantage of 
prices this year and purchase new seed. A change of seed should prove a profitable investment for you. 
