CLASSIFICATION OF OATS 



165 



open. The oat is normally close-fertilized, though cross- 

 fertilization may possibly occur. 



The seed varies in size, color, and shape according to the 

 variety, but is usually two or three times as long as broad, 

 tapering from a 

 little above the 

 base to the tip, 

 and is furrowed 

 on the inner side. 

 The flowering 

 glume is often 

 provided with a 

 short, usually 

 twisted awn, 

 which is attached 

 to the back of the 

 glume. This may 

 fall off when the 

 grain ripens or be 

 broken off in 

 threshing, or it 

 may adhere to the 

 threshed grain. 

 In the form known 

 as hull-less oats rarely grown in this country except as a 

 curiosity, the grain S3parates readily from the flowering 

 gl jme, and threshes out clean like wheat. 



The weight of the grain in ordinary oats is one third to 

 one half the weight of the entire crop, and about two thirds 

 of the weight of the grain is kernel and one third hull. Some 

 samples run as high as 75 per cent of the kernel, while others 

 do not exceed 60 per cent. 



204. Classification of Varieties. The varieties of hulled, 

 or common, oats may be divided into two classes, according 

 to the arrangement of the branches on the rachis, (the central 



Figure 63. — Oat spikelets in blossom 



