FERTILIZERS FOR OATS 185 



soil is also one that holds moisture well. This combination 

 is found in the loams and clay loams; heavy clays are too 

 cold, while light sandy soils are too likely to dry out when the 

 crop is in the greatest need of moisture. A fairly good crop 

 of oats can be produced on almost any reasonably fertile 

 land, however-, if other conditions are right.' Some of the 

 heaviest yields are obtained on the muck soils of Washing- 

 ton. 



The oat plant is a comparatively shallow feeder, most of 

 its roots being found in the first two feet of soil. For this 

 reason, the best crops are produced on fairly fertile soil, 

 though on rich land there is always a tendency toward rank 

 growth of straw, particularly if the moisture supply is abun- 

 dant. This rank growth and abundant moisture invite 

 such diseases as rust and mildew, and the weak, soft stems 

 are unable to support the weight of the crop, hence lodging 

 follows. If lodging takes place early in the season, the grain 

 will be light and shriveled. Lodging when the grain is 

 nearly ripe usually does little damage to the crop, though 

 the cost of harvesting may be greatly increased. Lodging 

 at this time is more likely to be due to the blowing over of 

 the entire plant during a heavy rain storm than to weakness 

 of the straw. Attempts are being made to produce oats 

 which are resistant to the tendency to lodge, but the most 

 effective means of preventing lodging are thorough drainage 

 and the use of land that has not been freshly manured. 



228. Manures and Fertilizers. It has just been stated 

 that the land should not be too rich for oats. It is best to 

 apply barnyard manure to some other crop in the rotation, 

 such as corn or grass, allowing the oats to get some of the 

 benefit of the residual effect of the manure. When com- 

 mercial fertilizers are necessary, those containing phosphorus 

 and potassium as the principal elements should be used. 



