166 OATS 



During a period of seven years when drilled oats were cultivated, 

 there was a loss certain seasons, the indications being that it only 

 paid in rather dry years and when the soil was in good condition. 

 It is doubtful if harrowing would pay on heavy soils or when the 

 spring is wet. 



Spraying for Weeds. Wild mustard is one of the serious pests 

 in oat fields of the Northern States. Mustard seed can be removed 

 from seed oats by careful screening, but this is often neglected or the 

 soil is infected. The mustard can be destroyed by spraying, a solu- 

 tion of iron sulfate or copper sulfate being cheapest. A twenty 

 per cent iron sulfate solution (75 pounds to 50 gallons of water) or 

 a three per cent copper sulfate solution (12 pounds to 50 gallons of 

 water) is effective. About fifty gallons per acre is required for a 

 thorough spraying. The spray should be applied before the first seed 

 pods are formed, to be most effective. Usually, a large two-horse 

 spraying machine, such as used for potatoes, is used on large fields. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Where in America would you expect to find the best oat climate? 



2. Where would you expect early oats to have an advantage ? Where late 



oats? 



3. Compare corn, oats, wheat, and barley in their response to fertilizers. 



As to soil requirements. 



4. Compare the use of fertilizer or manure directly on the oat and wheat 



crops. 



5. Give the composition of a common oat fertilizer. 



6. Explain different methods of preparing seed-bed for oats. 



7. Why is plowing more important on some soils than on others? 



8. Are small or weak plants eliminated in nature? (See p. 17.) 



9. Describe oat smut. 



10. How would you determine the per cent of smut in a field? 



11. Describe the treatment of seed oats for smut. 



12. Give apparent reasons for early sowing of oats. 



13. Where are oats fall sown ? 



14. Give the variation in rate of seeding. 



15. Why will drilling oats give better results under average conditions? 



16. What is proper depth of sowing? 



17. Discuss oats as a nurse crop. 



18. Name common mixtures in which oats are sown. 



19. Give advantages claimed for mixtures. 



20. Has it been found profitable to cultivate oats while the crop is grown, 



as we do corn or potatoes? 



21. Tell how to destroy mustard by spraying. 



