The Plain Truth About the 1951 
Seed Situation 
All figures relating to the production of crops harvested m 1950 are taken from the final Govern- 
ment Crop Report issued December 18, 1950 by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
Total crop production in 1950 was the third largest on record; exceeded only m the years 1948 
and 1949, This output exceeds the average of the previous eight years, the most productive period in 
American agriculture. Farmers attained this desirable result despite reduction in acreage of several 
important crops anda growing season that had many unfavorable aspects. 
ALFALFA SEED: The 1950 production of Alfalfa seed was estimated at 1,878,700 bushels of 
thresher-run seed; 6% smaller than the record crop of 1949 and 44% larger than the ten year average. 
Half of this production was from Southern States and not adapted to our Northeastern conditions. 
Hardy Northern seed is in short supply. 
MEDIUM AND MAMMOTH CLOVER: The 1950 crop, estimated at 2,638,300 bushels is the 
largest on record. There will be plenty of red clover seed and at reasonable prices. 
ALSIKE CLOVER: The 1950 crop of 315,400 bushels, although 18% larger than the short crop 
of 1949 is still short of normal consumption. Alsike seed will be higher priced than Red Clover. 
TIMOTHY SEED: The 1950 production of Timothy seed was more than twice the small 1949 
crop and 21% above the 1939-48 average. It was estimated at 1,607,000 bushels; the largest pro- 
duction in seven years. 
SEED BARLEY: The total production of Barley was estimated at 301,900,000 bushels; 27% 
larger than the short crop of 1949 and about average for the past ten years. Our own seed barley 
yielded above average, is showing high test weight per bushel and good germination. 
SEED OATS: The total oat crop of 1950 was estimated at 1,465,000,000 bushels, the fourth largest 
on record; 10% larger than in 1949 and 15% above the ten year average. We have good supplies of 
adaptable varieties for our Northeastern farms. 
SEED CORN: The 1950 total corn crop, estimated at 3,131 million bushels, was 7% below the 
1949 production; resulting from a reduced acreage and smaller yields per acre. Weather conditions 
were only fair during the 1950 corn season. Late planting andvearly frosts cut production of seed 
stocks in some areas. Some varieties will be scarce by planting time. Seed corn from our own farms 
is surprisingly good considering the cool summer we had. 
The 1950 Crop of Potatoes 
The upward trend in potato yields continued during 1950 and, despite the lowest acreage since 
1876, a crop of about 100 million bushels more than the National requirements was produced. Esti- 
mated production of 439,500,000 bushels exceeds last year’s crop by 7%. Only in 1943, 1946 and 
1948 did we raise more potatoes. Potato markets were quiet all over the country during the fall and 
early winter. Up to January 1 the Government had purchased about 40 million bushels im States 
operating under the support program. 
Despite the fact that many Certified seed growers are disposing of their seed in other channels 
rather than grade them to the certification standards it appears that there will be ample seed stocks 
for the reduced acreage that will be planted this year. Lower prices should encourage many farmers 
to change their seed this year. 
War and inflation overshadow everything else in the 1951 farm outlook. There will be a big demand 
for farm production in 1951 and in spite of bigher costs we believe that good farming will be more profitable 
than in 1950. We can help 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. The longer you put off buying the seeds you need the higher 
prices may be. 
