268 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



The quantity of gypsum to be applied, yearly, should be 

 such as will produce the largest crops which can grow, 

 without lodging; and these will probably average about 

 fitty or sixty bushels to the acre. 



This me:.' hod, where the ground is suitable for the pur- 

 pose, will, as we believe, yield the utmost profit that can be 

 realized from the culture of oats. 



It may be advisable to steep the seed, before sowing, in 

 some fertilizing liquor; such as a solution of saltpetre, or 

 old urine kept for the purpose, or lie ot wood-ashes, or all 

 these united ; and then dried with a sprinkling of gypsum. 



Sec also, BARLEY, for another successful method of 

 steeping that grain, before sowing, which, no doubt, may be 

 found equally beneficial for oats. 



A change of seed should also be attended to ; for this 

 grain, like most others, degenerates by long sowing in the 

 bame place. 



In whatever way oats are cultivated, they require the 

 ground to be well stired up and mellowed, and to be in 

 good condition. It is a mistaken notion, though entertained 

 by many, that slight culture will answer for this crop, or 

 that this grain can be cultivated, to any advantage, in poor 

 lands, without manure. 



Several kinds of roots may be made very good substi- 

 tutes for oats, for feeding Horses, at home particularly; 

 such as carrots, potatoes, when steamboiled, turnips, Jeru- 

 salem artichoke. Sec. Pumpkins are also excelent for this 

 purpose. 



It is also believed that clover-hay, when steamboiled, 

 would nearly of itself keep Horses in good condition, dur- 

 ing the Winter season. 



See STEAMBOILER, PUMPKIN, and the articles treating of 

 the roots just mentioned. 



OLIVE (Olea.) This tree is famous for the production 

 of oil. It thrives well in Italy and the southern parts of 

 France, and, it is believed, it would grow well in some of 

 the Southern States. The Winters here are too severe for 

 it. We have, however, a plant which is said to be an ex- 

 celent substitute. 



See SUNFLOWER. 



It has been found, in France, that immersing the olive- 

 fruit in vinegar, before pressing out the oil, will improve 

 the quality, and add a tenth more to the quantity. 



ONION (Allium.) This root requires a mellow, dry 

 soil, and the richer the better. The soil may be a rich 

 sand, sandy-loam, dry-loam, or gravelly-loam, or either of 

 these eanhs, of common quality, when strongly manured. 



