266 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY 



Oats. Oats may be distinguished from wheat, rye, and 

 barley by the flower clusters being loose and spreading (Fig. 

 262), rather than in compact cylindrical 

 clusters (spikes). It also has been culti- 

 vated from the most ancient times, and 

 to-day the United States and Russia pro- 

 duce the greatest crops. Oats are usually 

 sown as early in the spring as possible, 

 developing best in the cooler weather; 

 and in northern latitudes the crop ma- 

 tures in ninety days or less. Oats do 

 not require so rich soil as wheat, and 



FIG. 262. Oats. 

 After BAILLON. 



hence can be grown 

 successfully where 

 wheat would not 

 thrive. In 1899 the 

 United States pro- 

 duced more bush- 

 els of oats than of 

 wheat. 



Rye. This cere- 

 al does not seem to 

 have been so long 

 in cultivation as the 



FIG. 263. Rye 



