The Plain Truth About — 
The 1943 Farm-Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1942 are taken from the final Govern- 
ment Crop Report issued December 18, 1942, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
This fal checkup of acreages harvested and yields obtained has now confirmed earlier predictions 
of a 1942 harvest far above any in the past. 
The totals for the various groups of crops show a well-balanced harvest that includes record 
crops of food grains, feed grains, hay and forage, oil seeds, beans and peas, fruits and commercial 
vegetables. Certam hay crop seeds are some of the few individual crops that definitely show less than 
average production, and the reason was that a smaller acreage was left for seed. 
With some local exceptions such shortages of important crops as may now exist are attributed to the 
unprecedented wartime demand, or to interrupted transportation, rather than to light production. 
ALFALFA SEED. The production of Alfalfa seed in 1942 was the smallest in ten years. It was 
estimated at 974,500 bushels of thresher-run seed, compared with 1,049,300 bushels in 1941 and the 
ten-year (1930-1939) average of 1,101,310 bushels. Declines were largest in the East Central and 
Northern States where our hardy varieties are produced. Hardy Northern-grown Alfalfa seed is 
definitely in short supply. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED. The production of Sweet Clover seed, estimated at 724,800 bushels, 
is the smallest in eight years. This decline was due to a marked reduction in acreage. 
MEDIUM and MAMMOTH RED CLOVER SEED. The production of Red Clover seed, esti- 
mated at 1,081,900 bushels, is about an average crop although 26 per cent below the production of 
1941. Increased domestic and foreign demand will need all available supplies. 
ALSIKE CLOVER SEED. The 1942 crop of Alsike Clover seed is one of the smallest ever pro- 
duced. The acreage harvested was the lowest on record. 
TIMOTHY SEED. The production of Timothy seed in 1942 (1,623,500 bushels) was the largest 
in five years, and compares with 1,273,900 bushels in 1941 and the average of 1,755,280 bushels. 
NOTE: Large quantities of hardy grasses and legumes are being exported to our Allies under 
Lease-Lend agreement. Their purchases have further depleted the short crop we harvested. We 
advise purchasing requirements early in the season. 
SEED BARLEY. The acreage of Barley has been increasing and in 1942 the largest acreage on 
record produced the record crop of 426,150,000 bushels. Rust and wet weather damaged many crops 
that were being raised for seed purposes. 
SEED OATS. The total production of Oats in 1942 was 1,358,739,000 bushels. This is 15 per 
cent above the previous year and 34 per cent above the average. It is the largest crop since 1925. 
Our own yields of Seed Oats were above average and we have excellent stocks of varieties adapted to 
our Northeastern territory. 
SEED CORN. The production of Corn for all purposes in 1942 was estimated at 3,175,154,000 
bushels, an all-time record. The previous record was in 1920. Seed Corn is a small percentage of the 
total. The production of Seed Corn is a specialized business, especially so since the introduction of 
Hybrid Corn. Shortage of labor and wet weather delayed harvesting of seed stocks, Many crops 
of seed carried high moisture content when we had the record-breaking low temperatures in December 
and will be unfit for seed. Our own stocks were under cover and will show better than 90 per cent 
germination. 
The 1942 Crop of Potatoes 
The final estimate for 1942 indicated a total production of 371,150,000 bushels. This is about 
the same as the average (1930-1939) production of 370,045,000 bushels. Above-average yields in 
most States have held production up despite rather general decline in acreages. Conditions were 
not too favorable in the three Eastern surplus States where serious blight damage in New York 
and Pennsylvania and lack of rain m Mame reduced 1942 production. The better growers who 
specialize in Seed Potatoes were able to control blight damage by thorough spraying. More 
Potatoes will be consumed in 1943 and a good demand for seed is expected. 
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The increased demand for all foods will require the use of all seed stocks on hand. Orders should be 
placed well in advance of planting-time. 
We urge our customers to place their orders as early as possible and get their seed stocks on the farm well 
in advance of planting-time. We feel that this is more important than ever before. 

