362 THK farmers' handbook. 



and the implements to use for working the fallow are also the same. Clean 

 cultivation paddocks are very necessary to the growing of prime oaten hay, 

 as nothing detracts so much from its general appearance when placed on 

 the market as the presence of weeds, thistles, burrs, &c. When oats are 

 grown for green feed on the coast, the land should always be prepared early, 

 say, about two months prior to sowing, provided, of course, the weather 

 conditions will permit. It is wonderful how great is the effect on the 

 resulting crop of a short fallow. A good, moist seed-bed, is absolutely 

 essential for the reception of the seed, and every farmer who wishes to 

 obtain the best results with this crop must do all in his power to bring this 

 about by stringent methods of cultivation before planting. 



In wheat districts where the rainfall is fairly good, the practice now being 

 largely adopted by farmers is to sow portion of the wheat stubble land with 

 oats for hay. This enables them to make more use of their land than would 

 be the case if it were all fallowed. 



When to Sow. 



This will depend upon a number of factors, the chief being the object of 

 the grower — whether for green feed, hay, or grain — the district, and the 

 season of the variety it is intended to sow. If Algerian is sown on the 

 coast for green fodder it should be put in in February, as it covers the 

 ground, growing slowly for some time before it is fit for feeding off or 

 cutting. Earlier varieties, however, can be sown with good results in March 

 or April, and be ready for the cows in July and August. On the tablelands 

 and in most of the large wheat districts oats are commonly sown after wheat 

 seeding is finished. This is sound practice with an early maturing variety 

 of oats, but if Algerian be employed the grower must delay his wheat sowing 

 until the oat crop is planted, which is hardly advisable when wheat is the 

 main consideration. Like wheat, the longer the growing season of the 

 variety, the earlier should the seed be sown, and vice versa. 



In the colder parts of the Xorthem Tablelands, particularly in Glen Innes 

 and higher country, it has been found in recent years that, owing largely to 

 the depredations of rabbits, it is advantageous to sow oats about August or 

 early September. Sown then the crop comes along at a time when grass is 

 becoming plentiful, and when it is not therefore so liable to the particular 

 attentions of the rabbits. On account of being able to sow oats thus late, 

 the farmer finds it a vers- suitable crop to follow maize, ample time 

 being available to prepare the land after the maize is off. For such sowings 

 the variety must be selected with care. The most suitable is White Tar- 

 tarian. Algerian and similar sorts are liable to run to head too quickly. 



In some districts the farmers sow any oats they intend growing as early 

 as in the first and second week in March before the wheat planting- com- 

 mences. In individual localities the circumstances will be altered, but for 

 the majority of districts in this State Algerian oats should be sown between 

 the last week in March and the last week in April, for both hay and grain. 



If sown before this, and the weather conditions are very favourable to 

 growth, they may grow too rank, and are apt to lodge unless the growth is 

 checked by feeding-off. Where sheep are of more importance to the grower 

 than his grain crop, February sowing of Algerian oats for feeding off 

 may be quite justified. 



