280 



FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



of grain, and (4) tendency of grain to shatter when har- 

 vested. 



339. Turf oats. -Only one variety of the Winter 

 Turf type is commonly grown. It is commonly known 

 as Virginia Gray, Turf oats, Grazing oats, or Virginia 



FIG. 46. Plats of winter oats in November at the Maryland Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station, College Park. Note the broad and erect 

 habit of the Red Rust-proof variety (on the right) in contrast with 

 the narrow leaves and spreading habit of the Winter Turf (on the left) . 



Winter oats. This is usually a beardless variety with 

 slender grayish colored grains and weak slender straw 

 that is easily susceptible to rust. Being the hardiest of 

 southern oat varieties the Turf oat is well adapted to fall 

 sowing. The spreading character of the plants makes this 

 variety better adapted to winter grazing and hay produc- 

 tion than for grain production. It is a popular variety 



