SEED IMPROVEMENT MEETING, 221 



Friday, December 6. 

 GROWING SMALL GRAINS. 



By R. L. Copeland, Holden. 



Some years ago our attention was first called to the impor- 

 tance of pure or good seed by the remark of a friend, who 

 said "I hear you have a large crop of oats. Have you got any 

 good seed for sale?" 



We had to reply that we had not, as the oat we grew at that 

 time had been on the farm many years, was light in weight and 

 somewhat infected with foul seed. 



We at once asked ourselves why it was that we were growing 

 an inferior grain when with but small expense and a little care 

 we might grow the best, and resolved to grow only the best in 

 the future. 



With this aim in view we sought the best or the ideal oat ac- 

 cording to our mind, i. e. one strong in stalk, with large, branch- 

 ing head, kernel well filled, and hull comparatively thin. The 

 result has been highly satisfactory. 



According to the best of our recollection the yield from the 

 old oat was from 40 to 50 bushels to the acre, whereas at the 

 present time we consider a yield of 60 bushels rather light. This 

 amount was our average yield this season. Last year it was 

 86 bushels per acre, and we have grown no bushels on a meas- 

 ured acre in one season. 



We do not wish to be understood as claiming that all one has 

 to do is to procure some improved or high cost seed in order 

 to reap a harvest of nearly 100 bushels of oats to the acre. The 

 experienced farmer knows that there are other conditions which 

 enter in, in order to make a successful harvest. 



This fact was forcibly illustrated the past season by a neigh- 

 bor who had more money than experience. He paid $3.00 per 



