256 NATURE STUDY AND AGRICULTURE 



not be covered. Turn another plate over this one, set in a 

 warm place and keep the sand moist. 



Watch for the germination of the seeds. How long 

 after planting before the first sprout appears ? Allow the 

 grains to remain at least one day after germination begins, 

 then remove the sprouted grains daily till all have sprouted 

 that will. By counting the grains that are left you will be 

 able to determine the per cent that germinated. If you 

 do not wish to take the time to remove the sprouted grain 

 each day, allow the plate to stand three or four days after 

 the grains have begun to sprout, then remove those that 

 have failed to germinate and compute your per cent of 

 germination as before. Did all the grains show equal 

 vigor of germination? Would you expect to get a good 

 stand of oats from seed whose germination test was not 

 higher than sixty or seventy per cent ? 



When should oats be planted? Let the class discuss 

 this question, drawing upon their experiences for opinions. 

 Perhaps a good rule to follow is, Sow as early in the spring 

 as the soil is dry enough to work well. 



What are the different methods of sowing oats ? What 

 is the advantage of using the drill over sowing broadcast ? 

 If you have a school garden measure off two plots exactly 

 the same size. Measure or weigh enough oats to sow one 

 in drills. Sow exactly the same amount on the other, 

 broadcast. At the harvesting determine which gives the 

 better yield. If this cannot be done in the school garden, 

 encourage some of the boys to try the experiment at home. 



How many bushels of oats does it take to sow an acre ? 

 You will probably find differences of opinion in regard to 

 this, as some farmers believe in sowing the grain thicker 



