122 



JOUENAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



OAT YAEIETIES. 



At one time the only oat variety grown in this area was the old 

 Cape Oat (Boerhawer), but for various reasons this variety has 

 practically disappeared from local cultivation. At present Algerian 

 is the best known and most popular oat, and Texas is also an exten- 

 sively cultivated variety. These two varieties and a number of others 

 have been submitted to trial at this station for several years. 



Table VI shows the relative grain yields of the different varieties 

 undergoing trial. 



Table YI. 



Variety. 



Grain Yield in lb. per Acre. 



916. 1917. 1918. 1919. 



Average Return 



for 



4 Years. 



Algerian 

 Sidonian 

 Smyrna 

 River Plate 

 Texas ... 

 Appier... 

 Bancroft 

 Burt ... 



1,020 

 1.060 

 1.120 

 95.5 

 805 

 785 

 7.35 

 870 



1,241 

 1,213 

 1,172 

 1,137 

 1,136 

 1,049 

 986 

 930 



Algerian. — This is certainly the most popular variety throughout 

 the Union. It possesses the advantage of having a very fine straw 

 which makes a good oat-hay and at the same time is a very consistent 

 yielder of grain. 



Sidonian. — This variety has a large kernel. It tillers exceed- 

 ingly well but has a coarse straw which ^s very liable to lodge. It is 

 of late maturity and suited only to the coastal areas. 



Smyrna. — A strong growing variety with abnormally large grain. 

 The straw is very coarse, which makes it unsuitable for hay purposes. 

 It is about fourteen days earlier than Algerian. This variety has 

 given very good results on inland Karroo soils, especially under 

 irrigation. 



River Plate. — This variety has a plump, white kernel. It tillers 

 well, but is weak in straw and inclined to shatter. It is of the same 

 maturity as Sidonian. 



Texas. — A short-growing variety with fine straw and short, 

 plump, red kernel. Although slightly later thin Algerian it is 

 extensively grown in the coastal districts of the south-west Cape. 



Appier .-—Lil^e Texas, this variety grows below 'the average 

 height. It tillers well, but has a weak straw and is inclined to 

 shatter. 



Bancroft. — This variety is of the same maturity as Texas and has 

 a plump, brown kernel. The straw is very weak and liable to lodge. 



Burt.-—\ variety with fine straw and light kernel. It tillers 

 very well, is of exceedingly early maturity, and is particularly suited 

 for hay. It is, however, liable to shatter where south winds are 

 prevalent at harvest time. 



