304 



THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



of planting, within four or five weeks during any season, is not 

 especially important. Such a difference in time of sowing oats 

 may make the difference between success and failure. The 

 table on page 303 shows the best dates as determined at the sta- 

 tions indicated, as well as indicating the period of the tests, 



411. Depth of Sowing. — The depth of sowing between one to 

 four inches does not materially influence the yield, although th : 

 best results have been obtained with sowing from one to two 

 inches, as shown in the following table : 



Station 



Illinois .... 

 Kentucky .... 

 Minnesota .... 

 Ohio .... 



The same principles apply 

 here as with maize and wheat. 

 (130, 300) 



412. Methods of Sowing. — 

 Unless the land is plowed, oats 

 must, of course, be sown broad- 

 cast. On plowed land the prac- 

 tice is divided, but broadcasting 

 is probably the most general, 

 the controlling reason being that 

 they can be somewhat more 

 cheaply sown in this way than 

 if the drill is used. The experi- 

 mental evidence does not clearly 



Wheat roots, showing that the depth of the • ,. , • - . /, 



permanent roots is not influenced by the ^dlCate any mcrcaSC m yield 

 depth of seeding. In the plants on the left from either ITiethod, mUch EfH 

 the permanent roots will arise at the point i i t i 



where the culm enlarges. (About one- Parently defending UpOn SOll, 

 fourth natural size.) 



season, preparation of seed bed, 

 depth of seeding, and quantity of seed used. If drouth prevails 



