178 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FAEM. 



The yield within certain limits is not materially 

 modified by the thickness of planting. The oat plant, 

 like the wheat plant, has the ability to adapt itself to 

 its surroundings, so that where it is thinly planted it 

 stools more than when thickly planted. On son^e 

 soils, at least, the thinly sown oats are later in matur- 

 ing and the proportion of straw is greater. No definite 

 rule can be laid down, but sowinoj from two to three 

 bushels according to circumstances may be taken as a 

 safe guide. The number of berries in a pound of oats 

 has been found to vary with different varieties from 

 about 11,000 to about 30,000. 



The oat plant is generally exceptionally free from 

 insect enemies and plant diseases. It is subject to 

 rust in a Avay similar to wheat, and for which, as in 

 wheat, there is no known remedy. It is subject to the 

 loose smut, similar to that described under wheat. 

 This is much more common and destructive on oats 

 than on wheat. The same treatment is efficacious. 



