CHAPTER 5 

 OATS, BARLEY AND RYE 



OATS 



As a farm crop in North America, oats rank fifth in value. It has 

 a short season of growth, is easily raised by extensive methods and brings 

 quick returns. It is, therefore, a popular crop, especially with the tenant 

 farmer. The yield and cash value per acre is low compared with the best 

 oat-producing countries of Europe, and some question the advisability^ 

 of continuing its cultivation so extensively in this country. 



Oats fit into the general crop rotation and follow corn better than 

 most other crops. In the North Central states it is extensively used as 

 a crop in which to seed the clovers and grasses. It makes a desirable 

 feed for all classes of livestock except swine, and is highly prized for 

 horses. The straw is valuable as roughage and as an absorbent in stables 

 and has considerable fertilizing value. 



The average acreage, yield, production and value of oats in the United 

 States for ten years ending 1914 is given in the following table: 



AVERAGE ANNUAL ACREAGE, PRODUCTION AND FARM VALUE AND MEAN ACRE 



YIELD OF OATS IN THE TEN STATES OF LARGEST PRODUCTION FOR 



THE TEN YEARS FROM 1905 TO 1914. 



Soil and Climatic Adaptation. In the production of oats, favorable 

 climate and cultural conditions are more important than the character 

 and fertility of the soil. They do best in a cool, moist climate. In North 

 America oats succeed best in Canada and those states of the Union lying 

 next to the Canadian border. The acreage of spring oats below 38 degrees 

 north latitude is very small. Oats require an abundance of water and 

 loam, and clay loam soils are generally best adapted to them. 



(72) 



