32 BRITISH GRASSES. 



feeding horses, for, the grain being small, they are liable 

 to swallow it whole. On soft soils it succeeds better 

 than the Potato Oat. It was first discovered in 1824. 



Hopetoun Oat has remarkably long thick stems, a 

 large spreading ear, and large brownish seeds with a red 

 spot on the breast. It does not shed its seeds so easily 

 as the Potato Oat, but the stem though coarse is weak, 

 and hence it is very liable to be beaten down by rain and 

 wind. It yields less meal than the Potato Oat. It is 

 often sown in equal parts with the Sandy Oat in order 

 that the firmer character of the latter may hold up the 

 crop; this mixture gives a ragged appearance to the 

 oat-field, as the one kind grows taller than the other 

 until close upon harvest time. 



Berlie Oat has a full broad ear, light-coloured seeds 

 not very liable to shake. It is a good variety for rich 

 soils, stands well, and produces a fine sample. There are 

 two kinds, the English Berlie and the Scotch Berlie, the 

 latter being later, less liable to shake, and better adapted 

 to light soils. It is extensively cultivated in Scotland. 



Friesland or Dutch Oat has tall stout stems, but it 

 ripens unequally, and has fallen into disrepute. 



Kildrummy Oat has tall, slender, tough stems, and 

 well-formed, bright coloured seeds with thickish husks. 

 It grows freely and is well adapted for sowing on poor 

 soils in late districts. There are a dozen other varieties 

 of early white oats described by Mr. Lawson, but these 

 are the most highly recommended. 



Late Angus Oat has tall strong stems not easily bent, 

 and large, long, awned grain. This is the best of its 

 class for clay land in an early climate, and even for in- 

 ferior soil. It is unsuited for late districts, because it 

 is from a fortnight to a month later in ripening than the 

 kinds before mentioned. 



