148 OATS 



Distribution of Groups. White oats are the most commonly 

 cultivated oats north of 45 latitude in Canada and the northern tier 

 of states in the United States. The varieties of white oats are prac- 

 tically all medium to late in maturing. Hardly a variety of early 

 oats may be strictly classed as white oats. Black oats varieties are 

 generally similar to white oats except in color. 



The varieties of red and yellow oats are undoubtedly better 

 adapted than white or black oats to south temperate climates, as the 

 region south of the Ohio Eiver. Several varieties are adapted to fall 

 or winter sowing in the South, and are known as winter oats. 



Between the two regions just described lies a large territory (the 

 Corn Belt) where it is something of a question just which group will 

 give best results. White oats are generally grown, though they only 

 occasionally attain the good quality of the white grown farther north. 

 The great limiting factor in this region is the coming of dry summer 

 weather before the oats mature. This gives the early maturing 

 varieties a distinct advantage, and throughout the Corn Belt^'he 

 early yellowish varieties, as Kherson, Sixty Day, or Burt, are rapidly 

 gaining in favor. 



Spring and Winter Oats.< All the oat crop north of the Cotton 

 Belt is spring sown. It is also sown in spring in the Cotton Belt, 

 but does not yield so well as fall-sown oats. The fall-sown varieties 

 are mostly not strictly winter types, as the same varieties are sown 

 as spring oats farther north. They are hardy enough to withstand 

 the mild winter and continue growth slowly. They ripen much 

 earlier than spring-sown oats, thus avoiding in a degree the severe 

 summer rust. The red varieties are often called " rust proof " oats. 



Virginia Grey or Turf oats are true winter, oats, requiring a long 

 latent period after sowing, and will not produce a crop when sown 

 in spring. 



Early and Late Oats. In general, varieties of oats will vary 

 from 95 to 120 days to mature from time of sowing. The term 

 " early " as applied to oats does not mean that they are sown at an 

 earlier date in the spring, but only that they mature in less time 

 when sown on the same date. Where the summer climatic condi- 

 tions are favorable for the growth of late oats, they not only outyield 

 early oats but the common varieties are better in color and quality. 



