MARKET NOT YET MADE.
The market had not become established by July 25, although prices for country-run seed ranging from 75¢ to $1.25 per 100 lbs. were being offered occasionally to growers in the Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri districts. Thrashing had not progressed sufficiently in Virginia for buyers to become interested in the seed that was harvested in that State.
The quality of the 1922 crop in practically all districts is considered to be better than last year. The carryover of old seed by growers, particularly in the Ohio and Virginia districts, seems to be somewhat larger than usual. No orchard grass seed was permitted entry under the seed importation act during June and July.
Meadow Fescue Seed Prices Decline During Past Two Weeks.
A normal movement of the 1922 crop of meadow fescue seed has occurred since thrashing began about June 30, and it is estimated that approximately 55% of the crop has already been sold by growers. In the opinion of country buyers and others this year’s crop of recleaned seed will be about twice as large as that of last year.
The quality is considered to be much better not only because of favorable weather during the growing season and at harvest time but also because growers exercised more care in the selection of their seed for sowing. During recent years the shrinkage in recleaning the crop has been unusually heavy, resulting in considerable loss to the growers.
Prices to growers declined 2¢ or 3¢ during the two weeks prior to July 25. Only about 4¢ per lb. for recleaned seed was being paid on that date, and there were not many buyers even at that price.
A new variety of the Rose potato, called the Early Norther Rose, was planted in the Charleston section of South Carolina this spring. It resembles the Spaulding Rose, but is a little longer and thicker than that variety. The average yield was 80–90 bbls. per acre.
MOVEMENT OF KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS SEED BELOW NORMAL
Growers in Kentucky Have Pooled Much of Their Seed——Quality Better than Last Year.
The 1922 crop of Kentucky blue grass seed is not being sold so freely by growers in Kentucky and Missouri as was the crop last year. In some important stripping areas in Kentucky where the crop is large, less than 5% had moved from growers’ hands by July 25. In other sections of Kentucky approximately 25% had been sold but the bulk of the crop has been pooled in the expectancy of higher prices later. Although in the vicinity of one or two important shipping points in Missouri 60% or more of the crop is reported to have been sold by growers, in most of the other sections only 10%–15% has been sold.
Prices prevailing about July 25 were much lower than last year, being mostly $1.25–$1.50 per bu. for rough, cured seed compared with $2–$2.50 last year. Little or no change occurred in prices offered to growers during the last two weeks of July.
The quality of the seed in Kentucky and Missouri is much better than it was last year and undoubtedly will shrink less in cleaning.
The production of the 1922 crop was covered fully in the June 17 issue of this publication.
| IMPORTS OF FORAGE PLANT SEEDS. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permitted Entry Under the Seed Importation Act. | ||
| Kind of seed. | July. | |
| 1922. | 1921. | |
| Pounds. | Pounds. | |
| Alfalfa | 1,553,100 | 89,200 |
| Canada bluegrass | 1,000 | |
| Alsike clover | 44,300 | 17,800 |
| Crimson clover | 11,000 | 198,200 |
| Red clover | 185,800 | 744,500 |
| White clover | 79,000 | 133,600 |
| Grass mixtures | 40,100 | |
| Broom corn millet | 153,400 | |
| Rape | 366,700 | 38,500 |
| Redtop | 2,200 | |
| English rye grass | 84,000 | 16,300 |
| Italian rye grass | 13,800 | |
| Timothy | 89,200 | |
| Hairy vetch | 91,900 | 108,400 |
| Spring vetch | 10,800 | |