OATS. 171 



of grain woiUd be a fair average. This would make 

 the average yield of oat straw in the United States 

 about seven- eighths of a ton per acre. The total 

 yield of oat straw annually during the past decade 

 would be 18 million tons, or a little less than one-half 

 the yield of hay. 



Structiii*e. — The oats plant (Avena sativa) is dis- 

 tinguished from wheat and barley by the heads being 

 in panicles instead of in spikes. The spikelets, con- 

 taining two or more grains, are joined to the stem by 

 an elongated base instead of being directly joined 

 to it. 



It differs from wheat and rye and agrees with 

 barley in that usually the kernel is enclosed within 

 the palets, which are not removed in the ordinary 

 methods of thrashing. The comparatively large 

 glumes are thin and membraneous. The lower palet 

 usually has an awn of more or less length, according 

 to the variety and conditions under which it is grown. 



Use. — Oats have become the greatest of all grain 

 foods for horses. In this country oats are used in con- 

 nection with and interchangeable with corn. If one 

 is more plentiful, and, therefore, cheaper than the 

 other, it is used more abundantly. So in consider- 

 ing the possibility of a rise or fall in price of either 

 we must ascertain the combined yield of the two 

 cereals. 



In the United States, oatmeal was formerly but 

 sparingly used. Its consumption has increased enor- 

 mously in recent years, its use having become thor- 

 oughly diffused in a moderate way throughout the 

 country. It is manufactured in many places. 



Oat straw is preferred to wheat or rye straw as food 



