EXERCISE 30. EARLY GROWTH OF THE OAT PLANT 



Equipment: For this exercise the same preparation is 

 to be made as that described for corn. 



Method: Follow the directions given for corn in Exer- 

 cise 15. 



Discussion: Unlike the wheat grain, the oat kernel is 

 enclosed in a loose hull, which is considered as a part of the 

 grain. In the germination of the grain and the formation 

 of the temporary and permanent root systems, the oat is 

 similar in its development to wheat. In the South, where the 

 winters are mild, oats are seeded in the fall and get their 

 root system developed before cold weather, but in the North 

 the seeding is delayed until early spring. It is essential, 

 however, that oats be seeded quite early in the spring in 

 order that the plants may have an opportunity to come to 

 maturity before the dry, hot summer season is far advanced. 



Experiments concerning the depth of seeding oats in- 

 dicate that the best depth is from one to two inches, but 

 in case the soil is quite dry a greater depth may be desirable. 

 In some sections the oats are seeded broadcast over the 

 surface and plowed or harrowed into the surface of the 

 soil without any previous preparation of seed bed. The 

 best yields are obtained, however, when the oats are 

 drilled into a seed bed that has been prepared by thorough 

 disking and harrowing. 



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