STUDY OF OATS 



257 



than others. The average, however, is from three to 

 three and a half bushels per acre. Does it take more or 

 less wheat to plant an acre ? It takes from one and a half 

 to two bushels of wheat. 



How deep should oats be planted ? An inch of soil is 

 sufficient, but they may be covered deeper than this and 

 still do well. An experiment may be tried either in the 

 school garden or at home to determine what effect depth 

 of planting has on the development of the plant. Arrange 

 six drills side by side varying from one to six inches in 

 depth. Sow the same amount of seed in each drill; cover 

 and watch results. Is there any apparent difference in the 

 rapidity of growth ? Are the heads equally well developed ? 

 Is there any difference in the amount of grain produced? 



Watch the development of the plant. How long after 

 planting till the plants appear above the ground? How 

 low a temperature can these young plants stand? Does 

 a, frost kill them ? Note the habits of growth of the plant ? 

 Does one root send up more than one stem ? 



The following questions may be given to the pupils to 

 work out during vacation. When does the plant begin to 

 send up the flowering stem ? Wtrere is this stem situated ? 

 How tall does it grow ? Measure several and get the aver- 

 age. Are the oats throughout the field even as to height ? 

 [f there are spots where they are much taller or lower than 

 the average, see if you can account for them. 



Does the flowering stem branch? This kind of a 

 branching flower cluster is called a panicle. If the 

 branches spread equally on all sides the oats are called 

 spreading or panicled. If the branches are more numerous 

 on one side than on the other they are called side oats. 



