106 Barn and Field Experiments in 1916 



RATE OF SEEDING OATS IN AROOSTOOK COUNTY. 



It is the prevailing custom in Aroostook County to seed 

 very heavily with oats. Perhaps the majority of the farmers 

 sow from 4 to 6 bushels to the acre. It has been the experience 

 in other parts of the country and even in other parts of the 

 State that this is too much seed for the best results. From 2 

 to 3 bushels per acre have given the best results in the southern 

 part of the State. 



In 1914 some preliminary rate of seeding experiments were 

 carried out on Aroostook Farm. The results were reported 

 in Bulletin 236. Injury to certain of the plots, however, made 

 the interpretation of the results somewhat doubtful. In 1915 

 these experiments were repeated upon duplicate plots under 

 much more favorable conditions. The results of these tests 

 were published in Bulletin 246. 



In 1916 the same experiment was again repeated, using 

 triplicate 1-10 acre plots for each rate of seeding. The condi- 

 tions under which the 1916 experiments were carried out were 

 similar to those in 1915. Six different rates of seeding were 

 used, ranging from 2 to 5 bushels per acre. The land was in 

 potatoes in 1915. The seeding was done with a large disk drill. 

 Owing to the loose texture of the ground the land was rolled 

 before seeding and also immediately afterwards. This prevent- 

 ed too deep seding which sometimes occurs with the use of a 

 heavy disk drill in the loose soil of Aroostook. Commercial 

 fertilizer (5-8-0) was applied broadcast before seeding at the 

 rate of 500 pounds per acre. The seed used in 1916 was the 

 variety known as Maine 340. In the preceding year the Pros- 

 perity variety had been used. 



The results of the experiment calculated to acre yields are 

 given in the tables that follow. 



