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.