STRUCTURE OF OATS 2S1 



pound of grain to two and one-tenth pounds of straw when 

 fertilizers were used, and one of grain to two of straw when 

 no fertilizers were used.^ The IlUnois Station has found as 

 high as two and seven-tenths pounds of straw per each pound cf 

 grain,^ and as low as one and two-tenths pounds in different 

 seasons under other^vise like conditions;^ Kansas Station found 

 a variation of from four and one-tenth to one and two-tenths 

 pounds of straw to one pound of grain due to season.^ In gen- 

 eral, the more favorable the season the more fertile the soil, and 

 the later the variet}- or the later the seeding the greater is the 

 proportion of straw to grain. 



379. Inflorescence. — A t}-pical panicle is nine to twelve inches 

 long, contains from three to five whorls of branches and bears 

 about sevent}--five spikelets. The branches arise from alternate 

 sides of the rachis and vary in length and position ; thus the 

 panicle may be open or closed ; symmet- 

 rical or one-sided. Each spikelet is at the 

 end of a flexible pedicel of variable length. 

 The spikelet contains two or more flowers ; 

 only two usually mature, the lower one 

 always developing into the larger grain. 

 The outer e^lumes are membraneous and 



^ , - , A spikelet of oats : I , outer 



considerably larger (three-fourths to one giumes; 2. lower flower; 

 inch) than the flow^ering glume. The color 3. upper fiower; 4. rudi- 



^ ° ** . ment of third flower 



of the latter varies from yellow to reddish 



brown and black. The flowering glume of the lower flower 

 usually partially encloses that of the upper flower. The awn, 

 when it occurs, is on the back (not at the tip) of the flowering 

 glume, and usually occurs only in the lower flower of the spike- 

 let. The palea is smaller than the flowering glume and enclosed 



1 Ohio Rpt. 1896, p. 142. 

 8 111. Bui. 12 (1S90), p. 355. 

 8 IlL BuL 31 (1894), p. 3S4. 

 4 Kan. BuL 42 (1893), p. S3. 



