OATS 161 



of plowed unless the soil is very heavy or in poor condition. 

 This practice is especially successful in the Corn Belt where 

 oats follow corn in t a rotation. 



Planting. Sometimes oats are sown broadcast and then 

 harrowed in. But a better and more uniform stand is ob- 

 tained by using a grain drill such as is used for wheat. 



The rate of sowing is based upon the same principle as 

 that used in wheat sowing a heavy soil requires more seed 

 because the tendency to stool or tiller is less. The amount 

 of seed needed per acre ranges from six pecks on warm, light 

 soils to three bushels or more on heavy soils. When soils are 

 in good condition, eight to ten pecks per acre seem to give 

 the best results. 



In the Northern States an early sowing is essential because 

 cool, moist conditions are necessary for the best growth of 

 oats. In the Southern States winter varieties are commonly 

 used and are sown late in the fall, except in Kentucky and 

 Tennessee where they are sown early in the fall. Here, spring 

 oats are sown from one to two months earlier than in the 

 North. 



Diseases and insects. Loose smut may be easily con- 

 trolled by the hot-water method of treating the seed. It is 

 always a safe practice to treat the seed with formaldehyde, 

 as suggested for wheat infected with bunt. Rust is often a 

 serious disease, especially on the Pacific Coast. Quick-matur- 

 ing varieties sown early are least susceptible to this disease. 



Insects are not sufficiently injurious to oats to require 

 special measures for their control. The green bug, a plant 

 louse, occasionally causes injury. If such is the case, the 

 crop may be harvested early and used for hay. 



Harvesting. To secure the best yield of grain and the 

 highest quality of straw, the oats should be cut in the dough 



