146 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



wheat, and are greatly influenced in number and in the 

 height to which they grow by environment. Usually one 

 seed produces from three to seven stems and their height 

 varies from 2 to 5 or more feet, the average probably being 

 about 3J feet. The height of the stems depends to a 

 considerable extent upon the fertility of the soil, and to 

 some extent upon the variety and the rate of planting. 



FIG. 50. Spikelet of oats. Number 1 shows parts in position, 

 Number 2, spikelet dissected. 



133. The leaves. The leaves are broader and more 

 numerous than those of wheat, and the blade varies in 

 length from 6 to 15 inches. On account of their large and 

 more numerous leaves, oats are not as desirable a nurse 

 crop for clovers or grasses as is wheat or barley. The 

 proportion of straw to grain is more variable than that 

 of wheat, varying in this respect from 1.3 to 4 or more 

 pounds of straw for each pound of grain. 



