IOQ CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 





the bushel. The produce in flour is generally regarded as in 

 the proportion of eight to fourteen. That is, fourteen pounds 

 of grain, (thirty-five pounds to the bushel,) give eight pounds 

 of meal, though the proportional quantity of meal increases as 

 the oats are heavier. 



The oat is used almost exclusively in this country as food 

 for animals, especially the horse. In a few places in New 

 England, and perhaps in other sections, after being kiln dried, 

 hulled very clean, ground and bolted, it makes a fine flour, 

 which, mixed in equal proportions with wheat flour, will make 

 a bread so white and fine, that even the best judges cannot dis- 

 tinguish it from bread made entire from the best of wheat 

 flour.* 



A large portion of the oat meal, sold in the shops by drug- 

 gists, is manufactured and prepared in this country; it is equal 

 in all respects to the imported; and no necessity whatever 

 exists, for sending thousands of dollars annually out of the 

 country, .as has heretofore been the case, for articles which 

 we can raise at home. 



Oats are subject to considerable hazard of injury by the 

 shaking of winds, as the grain approaches to its ripened state. 

 In the early stages of its growth, it is subject to the attacks of 

 several enemies, of which the principal is the wire-worm, 

 which is the larvae of a very small beetle Elater segetis; 

 and by the larvae of several other insects, comprehended by 

 farmers under the general name of grub. 



The diseases of the oat are not numerous. Sometimes it is 

 found attacked by the smut. An effectual remedy is said to 

 be to work the seed thoroughly in strong lime-water, letting 

 it remain in soak during the night previous to sowing: a 

 sprinkle of plaster on the seed, would probably prove bene- 

 ficial. 



5. MILLET. 



UNDER the term millet, says Professor Low, are compre- 

 hended certain plants of different genera, which are cultivated 

 for their seed. 1. Common millet. 2. Italian letaria. 3. 

 German setaria. 4. Indian millet. In Latin it is called 

 "MILLIUM," as if one stalk bore a thousand seeds. This 

 plant is a native of India; whence its cultivation has gradually 

 spread over northern Europe. Its stalks and leaves resemble 

 those of Indian corn, though much smaller. Its cultivation in 

 England, except as a garden plant, was unknown until after the 

 commencement of the present century. 



* See Appendix, E. 



