OATS. '267 



oat straw, and the real value of the oat from a feeding point of 

 view must be considered from the standpoint of kernels pro- 

 duced per acre. In the preceding table the Joanette variety 

 has a lower yield per acre of seed than Pioneer, yet the former 

 produced 254 pounds of kernels per acre more than the latter. 



The legal weight per bushel varies in different countries. 

 Thus in the United States 3\i pounds is the accepted standard ; 

 in Canada 34 pounds, and in England 40'2 pounds. 



At Lulea, in Sv^edcn, in 1904, the average percentage of 

 hull for all varieties was nearly 10 per cent, less than at Svalof , 

 further south.* 



To ascertain correctly the percentage hull of a sample, 100 

 pounds of seed should be weighed, the kernels removed and 

 weighed, and from this the percentage of hull is ascertained. 

 By inspection, thick hull is detected by removing the kernel and 

 then feeling the flexibility of the hull between the fingers. It 

 is also indicated when nearly the whole of the palet is enclosed 

 by the lemma, in which case the kernel is nearly always small. 

 If the seed is plump and the palet well shown, the seed is 

 usually proportionately large and the percentage of hull small. 



The percentage of so-called " double seed " in oats is also 

 of importance in considering this point. A " double seed " 

 consists of the secondary kernel or spikelet enfolded in the 

 lemma of the primary spikelet, the kernel of the latter being 

 undeveloped. Certain varieties give a larger proportion of these 

 double seeds " than others, but rarely above 5 per cent. 

 However, in these the percentage of hull is very high and, 

 moreover, the germination from them is poor. 



(5) Purity of Variety. — Foreign varieties are detected by 

 colour, length and shape. 



Seed Treatment. — The seed should be treated with for- 

 malin, the same as for wheat. 



Time of Seeding. — The time of sowing will vary with the 

 locality, variety, purpose for which intended and w^hether grown 

 under irrigation, drv land or humid conditions. Under irriga- 

 tion the seed should be sown during the months of April and 

 May, so as to provide the crop with a long growing season to 

 stool and reach full development. Early maturing varieties 

 like Boer and Burt may be safely sown as late as July, but the 

 crop is not so productive. For grazing purposes, late varieties, 

 ^.(7., Winter Dun, are best sown on dry lands in February and 

 March, so as to produce a fair growth before the dormant winter 

 period. 



