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The Plain Truth About the 1949 
Seed Situation 
All figures relating to tne production of crops harvested in 1948 are taken from the final Govern- 
ment Crop Report issued December 17, 1948, by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
The total output of crops in 1948 far exceeded that of any other year. The growing season was so 
favorable that, with the improved farm practices of recent years, new record yields per acre were set 
for several crops. The composite yield of all crops surpassed any previously known. 
ALFALFA SEED: The 1948 crop of Alfalfa seed, estimated at 989,900 bushels of thresher-run 
seed, is the smallest crop since 1942—42 per cent short of last year and 21 per cent short of the 1937- 
46 average. Hardy Northern seed is far short of our needs. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH RED CLOVER: A larger acreaze was harvested for seed in 1948 
and the crop, estimated at 1,773,900 bushels, is 41 per cent larger than was harvested in 1947 and 
12 per cent above average. As the carry-over was light, we needed a good crop. 
ALSIKE CLOVER: The 1948 crop of Alsike Clover, estimated at 388,400 bushels, is 4 per cent 
Se than the 1947 crop and 20 per cent above average. These larger crops of Red and Alsike Clover 
will help to offset the short Alfalfa crop. 
TIMOTHY SEED: The 1948 production of Timothy seed, estimated at 423,800 bushels, is the 
second smallest on record—73 per cent short of last year and 72 per cent short of average. The price 
of seed is high. 
SEED BARLEY: Increased acreage and a higher yield resulted in a total estimated Barley crop 
for 1948 of 317,037,000 bushels—up 13 per cent over 1947 ard 6 per cent above average. Good weather 
at harvest gave us a good crop of bright, high-germinating Barley for seed. . 
SEED OATS: The Nation’s 1948 Oat crop, estimated at 1,491,752,000 bushels, is the third largest 
in history, exceeded only by the record crops of 1945 and 1946. The use of rust-resistant varieties and 
high-yielding strains together with favorable early seeding gave us high yields this past year. Seed 
stocks will be ample and quality above average. 
SEED CORN: A record Corn crop was produced in 1948. The total production, estimated at 
3,651 million bushels, is 12 per cent above any previous crop ever harvested. Growing conditions 
were generally favorable this past season and the crop was harvested under ideal conditions. Hybrid 
varieties were planted on 75 per cent of the total acreage this past year. Seed stocks will be ample and 
show better than average germination. ; 
The 1948 Crop of Potatoes 
The harvested acreage of Potatoes in 1948 was the smallest in nearly seven decades, but the 
average yield per acre was a record high and total production has been exceeded only twice. The 
1948 production of 445,850,000 bushels was exceeded only by the crops harvested in 1943 and 1946. 
A large part of the 1948 crop was under the Government Support Program and up to December 
15, 1948, the Government Support purchases amounted to 76,777,437 bushels, most of which went 
for livestock feed, alcohol, flour and starch. While the market was a discouraging affair all fall, with 
increased Government purchases, conditions should be better and there is a good possibility of havi 
a strong windup to this old Potato deal. Many growers of Certified Seed Potatoes have been selling all 
winter to the Government under the Support Seger and we do not believe there will be any surplus 
of good Certified seed; in fact, some varieties will be scarce. 


Even though some costs may be higher in 1949 and prices for our farm products somewhat lower than 
a year ago, we believe that good farming will prove to be a profitable enterprise in 1949. We can belp to 
make it so by offering the best of farm seeds. 
_ We again urge our customers to place their orders as early as possible and to get their seed stocks on 
the farm well in advance of planting time. 
