OATS 99 



gray; in hardiness, spring and winter oats; in time of ma- 

 turity, early which have a short growing period, late - 

 which have a long growing season. From an agricultural 

 standpoint the value of a variety depends upon its per- 

 centage of kernel, its yield, and its weight per bushel. In 

 order to secure these desirable properties oats must have the 



EACH DOT REPRESENTS 



Distribution map of oats. One dot represents 200,000 bushels. 

 (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.) 



qualities of hardiness, earliness, stiffness of straw, and re- 

 sistance to heat, drought and rust. 



Climate and soil. Oats are naturally adapted to a cool, 

 moist climate. The ideal climate is one affording plenty of 

 moisture, which is sufficiently cool to insure a slow ripening 

 period. 



Oats will do well on almost any tillable soil, but if the soil 

 is too rich, the plants are likely to lodge. Since the chief 

 soil requirement for oats is moisture, clay soils are better 

 than light soils. 



