The Plain Truth About 
Thel939 Farm Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1938 are taken, as far as possible, from 
the final Government Crop Report, issued December 19, 1938, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
The end-of-the-season survey of the nation’s crops by the Crop Reporting Board confirms earlier 
indications of a remarkably high average of crop-yields per acre on a belovv-average acreage. As a 
whole, the favorable character of the season appears most striking when comparison is made with 
recent drought years. 
ALFALFA SEED. The production of Alfalfa seed was estimated at 998,000 bushels. This is slightly 
larger than the 1937 crop and somewhat above the 10-year (1927-36) average production of 926,000 
bushels. Two-thirds of the crop was produced in regions where the climate is too warm to produce 
hardy seed for our northeastern conditions. The crop of good, hardy, northern-grown seed is again 
short this year and will command a premium over seed from warmer climates. Our Alfalfa seed is 
all verified origin and all northern-grown. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED. The production of Sweet Clover seed is estimated at 913,900 bushels. 
This is 12 per cent larger than last year’s crop and 11 per cent larger than the 10-year (1927-36) average. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH CLOVER SEED. A large crop of Red Clover was harvested in 1938. 
This is in strong contrast with conditions of the past two years when we had serious shortages and 
high prices. The 1938 crop is reflected in the price, which is about one-half of last year’s value. 
ALSIKE CLOVER SEED. The production of Alsike seed in 1938 was the largest since 1929. The 
quality of the crop is unusually good and values are approximately one-half those of a year ago. 
TIMOTHY SEED. The production of Timothy seed in 1938 was estimated at 1,494,500 bushels, 
which is 41 per cent smaller than the large crop of 1937 and 15 per cent below the 10-year (1927-36) 
average. There was a large carry-over from the 1937 crop, so seed will again be cheap. 
SEED BARLEY. The total crop of Barley in 1938 was estimated at 252,139,000 bushels. This crop 
is 14 per cent larger than the crop of 1937 and 7 per cent larger than the 10-year (1927-36) average. 
We have excellent stocks of high germinating seed for this year. 
SEED OATS. The total Oat crop was estimated at 1,053,839,000 bushels. This crop is 9 per cent 
less than harvested in 1937 but approximately equal to the 10-year (1927-36) average. Unfavorable 
weather conditions in many sections resulted in a harvest of poor-quality grain. There is a good 
demand for choice Seed Oats. 
SEED CORN. The 1938 Corn-production for all purposes was 2,542,238,000 bushels. This crop 
is 4 per cent less than the 1937 crop and 10 per cent above the 10-year (1927-36) average. Conditions 
for growth were very favorable in most of the important Corn states. This resulted in a higher than 
average production on a smaller than average acreage. We have exceptionally good stocks of high 
germinating Seed Corn. 
The 1938 Crop of Potatoes 
The final estimate for 1938 indicated a total production of 369,297,000 bushels. This estimate is 
practically the same as the 10-year (1927-36) average of 369,693,000 bushels. 
This final estimate does not take into account the excessive shrinkage that has taken place since 
harvest, due to the worst blight epidemic we have had in years. The reports all the way from Maine 
to Minnesota tell us that the loss in storage due to rot will materially reduce the supply of Potatoes 
available for sale from the 1938 crop. The country as a whole has harvested the poorest quality crop 
on record. Scarcely any state has escaped disease, decay, rain-damage, or insect-injury. 
The supply of Certified Seed is much smaller this year. This is due to a smaller acreage passing 
final inspection, lower yields, and a heavier sort-out to meet the grading standards. There is going 
to be a big demand for seed this year, and, with the shorter supply available, we look for a strong 
market throughout the season for good, sound stock. 
