8 BULLETIN 725, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



SUMMARY. 



1. The sulphur bleaching of oats has been practiced during the 

 past score of years, but the practice has increased during the last 

 fevr years. 



2. Investigations show that it is possible to bleach weather- 

 stained, discolored, and damaged oats, giving them the appearance 

 of natural oats of good quality. 



3. It is possible to improve slightly the appearance of badly bin- 

 burned and ground-damaged oats, thereby concealing a part of the 

 damage. 



4. The viability of oats is materially reduced by sulphur bleaching. 



5. The methods used for bleaching are practically uniform through- 

 out the oat-bleaching sections, with an occasional modifiGation to 

 meet the needs of individual operators. 



6. The character of the season in which oats are harvested, whether 

 a wet or dry season, has a direct influence upon the subsequent 

 handling of the crop. Oats harvested in a dry season are rarely 

 bleached, because they show little if any damage. 



