152 OATS 



Factors Affecting Percentage of Hull. While there is a 

 marked variation in percentage of hull, it does not seem to be closely 

 related to any particular character of the grain. In fact, a variety 

 high in per cent of hull one year may be low another, as noted by 

 Warburton 4 regarding certain experiments in Wisconsin. The 

 varieties ranged from 69.13 to 78.07 per cent in 1905, and from 

 63.71 to 69.86 per cent in 1907; the variety with the lowest per- 

 centage in 1905 being highest in 1907. 



Shape of grain has several times been studied in relation to 

 weight per bushel. While there is some evidence that the long 

 slender type of grain is likely to have a higher percentage of hull 

 than the short thick type, still it is by no means a constant relation. 



Weight per bushel does not bear a close relation to percentage of 

 hull within certain limits, as illustrated by the preceding table in 

 the Watson and Welcome varieties, both weighing the same. In gen- 

 eral, oats weighing less than 28 pounds per bushel will be high in 

 per cent of hull, while oats weighing more than 34 pounds per bushel 

 will be low in hull, but little relation will be found between these two 

 limits. 



Varieties vary in percentage of hull, and a long variety test cover- 

 ing many years will show average differences, but it will be found that 

 a variety averaging low in hull in one region will often average high 

 in another place. 



In conclusion, the general results indicate that the variety best 

 adapted to a certain region, and therefore matures fully in the most 

 normal way, will ordinarily be low in percentage of hull. Those 

 varieties not well adapted naturally do not develop a good kernel and 

 are high in percentage of hull. This explains the reason why varie- 

 ties may vary from year to year. For example, in a season favoring 

 early varieties, these are the best developed and highest in percentage 

 of kernel, but in a season favoring the late varieties, conditions are 

 reversed and late oats are then best developed and higher in per- 

 centage of kernel than the early oats. 



Value of Hull and Kernel. The following table gives the com- 

 parative value, so far as an analysis will indicate, of the hull and 



* Farmers' Bulletin 420, 15. 



