308 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Because of the results these varieties were increased on the College 

 farm aad a bushel of each variety was distributed to[farmers in 1911. The 

 general distribution began in 1912, and during the next two years farmers 

 generally reported the Alexander and Worthy as yielding ten bushels per 

 acre more than their old varieties, when planted side by side. 



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Fig. 3. A field of Worthy Oats on the CoUege farm (field No. 8) in the summer of 1912. 

 It averaged seventy-five bushels per acre with the exception of a swale in the back of the 

 field. This field attracted the attention of the passers that summer because of the evenness of 

 the stand, and the way that the oats filled. 



Over six thousand bushels of Worthy Oats were used for seed in 1915. 

 If we consider that only one-fifth of the yield has been used for seed each 

 year, at least 100,000 acres of them were grown in 1917. Exact figures 

 are unobtainable because the spread has largely been from farm to farm, 

 by natural processes. Their verj^ stiff straw is an outstanding factor in 

 in favor of these oats, especially on heavy land. They still retain their 

 popularity and high yielding qualities, and are now (1918) so widely 

 grown as to be known by most progressive Michigan farmers. 



Since their introduction, the Alexander has been grown more extensively 

 on sandy soil, and the Worthy on heavy land. This would result in re- 

 ports favoring the Worthy on heavy soil. Be this as it may, we occasion- 

 ally note instances like the following: Mr. Geo. Hurteau of Allegan has 

 grown both Alexander and Worthy on his heavy low laying soil that before 

 drainage was a cattle wallow, but now is one of the richest farms of that 

 section. He has given up the Worthy in favor of the Alexander, which 

 he says is yielding more bushels of grain for him. 



IMPROVED METHODS OF TESTING VARIETIES. 



During the years that the oat improvement work has been going 

 on, methods of oat improvement and methods for testing varieties have 

 also been under investigation. It is impossible to fully understand the one 

 without the other. The methods have changed from year to year as 

 greater light could be obtained on the subject. 



