OATS 103 



short coarse teeth at the apex of the lemma, instead of 

 the fine awn-like points. The awn is also shorter and 

 tooth-like, and the kernel (hull) thicker and a little shorter. 

 The kernel is grayish to dark gray in color. 



This subspecies is also of slight economic importance, 

 and when cultivated at all, is grown in Spain, Portugal, 

 in portions of France and Germany, and in Belgium. 

 In Portugal it is grown under the name Avea mocha. 

 Practically the one cultivated variety, Short oat, in 

 French " avoine courte," is recognized. It should be 

 noted that, because of their adaptation to unfavorable 

 conditions, both the short and hairy oats may be of 

 much value in breeding work. 



94. Abyssinian oats (Avena abyssinica, Hochst.).- 

 The Abyssinian oats are, according to Trabut, derived 

 from A. Wiestii, which latter is only slightly different 

 morphologically from A. barbata, but is more strictly a 

 desert species. Trabut found, under cultivation, all the 

 transition stages between A. Wiestii and A. abyssinica, 

 the cultivated form. The Abyssinian oats differs from 

 A. Wiestii in its spikelet axis, being much less hairy or 

 entirely glabrous, and having much firmer articulations, 

 thus retaining the kernel. There is great variation in the 

 color of the kernel in different forms. Apparently no dis- 

 tinct cultivated varieties have yet been developed, but 

 there are a number of partially developed or wild forms, 

 roughly segregated by the Abyssinians, by whom they 

 appear to be used as forage. This oats is also reported to 

 be in cultivation in southern Arabia, chiefly for forage but 

 also as food for man. Even there, however, it is more 

 generally a weed in cultivated fields. Here again there 

 is opportunity for much good breeding work in the use 

 of these various half wild forms of the Abyssinian group, 



