The Plain Truth About 
The 1944 Farm-Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested in 1943 are iaken from the final Govern- 
ment Crop Report issued December 17, 1943, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
_ Crop production in the United States in 1943 was 6% less than in 1942 but nearly 5% more than 
m any previous season. This is a wonderful contribution to the war effort by the American farmer 
and was accomplished in spite of shortages of skilled men, of supplies and equipment, and also delays 
from wet weather and floods. 
The crop season of 1943 brought the usual disappointments to some areas, but taking the country 
as a whole, the growing season was better than average. 
ALFALFA SEED: The production of Alfalfa seed m 1943 for the entire country is estimated at 
1,114,900 bushels of thresher-run seed. This is 15% larger than the short crop of 1942 but is 3% 
smaller than the ten-year average. The increase over 1942 is attributed to more acres harvested in 
1943, chiefly in the West North Central States. 
SWEET CLOVER SEED: The production of Sweet Clover seed in 1943 is the smallest since 1922 
and is only about one-half the ten-year average. Fewer acres were harvested for seed and the yield 
was about 10% below average. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH RED CLOVER: With a 15% greater acreage of Red Clover seed 
than in 1942, the estimated production of 1,142,900 bushels is 11% larger than the 1942 crop of 
1,026,100 bushels but 6% smaller than the ten-year average. The increase in acreage over 1942 oc- 
curred largely in Wisconsin and Michigan. 
E ALSIKE CLOVER SEED: The 1943 production of Alsike Clover seed, estimated at 238,900 bushels, 
is 5% smaller than the 1942 crop and 25% smaller than the ten-year average. Only in the most 
. Northern producing States did the 1943 production exceed that of 1942. 
TIMOTHY SEED: Production of Timothy seed, estimated at 1,499,600 bushels, is 11% smaller 
than the 1942 crop and 6% below the ten-year average. A smaller acreage was harvested for seed. 
NOTE: In September of 1943 the above seeds were brought under price control by the 
Office of Price Administration in order to check the rapid price mcreases that were 
developing. They are all selling at ceiling prices except Timothy, which will probably 
approach the ceiling price. 
SEED BARLEY: Total production of Barley in 1943 is estimated at 322,187,000 bushels. This 
is 25% less than the record crop of 1942. In New York State the Barley crop was a near failure and 
very little of the Alpha variety will be available for seed. On the advice of our Plant Breeding Depart- 
ment we are offering Hannchen 2-Rowed Barley as a substitute for Alpha. 
SEED OATS: The 1,143,867,000 bushels of Oats produced in the United States in 1943 is above 
the ten-year average but 15% below the bumper crop of 1942. In New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, 
and Ohio the planting of Oats was seriously hampered by excessive and prolonged rains during the 
spring. The small acreage that was planted in these States produced very poor yields and a serious 
shortage developed. Seed Oats are scarce and some varieties are off the market. 
SEED CORN: The 1943 Corn crop (second largest on record) totals 3,076,159,000 bushels. Corn 
raised for seed is a small percentage of the total. The production of Seed Corn is a specialized business, 
especially since the introduction of Hybrid Corn. Corn was planted late and we had a poor fall for 
drying. Good Seed Corn is not plentiful and some varieties are in very short supply. 
The 1943 Crop of Potatoes 
The crop of 1943, estimated at 464,656,000 bushels, is the largest on record. The acreage was 23% 
greater than that of 1942. The Potato growers were successful in meeting the Government’s desire for 
an increased acreage and were favored by a good growing season. We are fortunate in having this 
wonderful crop and should try to produce a record crop in 1944, There is a good demand for Potatoes. 
Ceilings have been established on Seed Potatoes and in all probability the supply of seed will move 
at these ceiling prices. 
ED © CE a a ere NL 
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. 

