OATS 17 



sowing is in the first half of September. In the central 

 and southern part of the cotton-belt, this is too early for 

 sowing Red Rust-proof oats, since it tends to make the 

 plants form stems and to head too early the latter part of 

 the winter, at which stage the oat is easily killed by freezing 

 temperatures. However, very early sowing may be prac- 

 ticed when the oats are to be rather closely grazed through- 

 out the winter. 



The period that is generally preferred for sowing Red oats 

 extends from October 1 to the middle of November; 

 sowings made in the earlier part of this period usually 

 afford the larger yields. If sowing is postponed much 

 beyond the latter date, the young plants do not have 

 time to become firmly rooted and anchored before they 

 are subjected to heaving by the alternate freezing and 

 thawing of the soil. 



In sowing oats after Christmas, custom varies greatly, 

 the usual limits being from January 1 to April 1. In the 

 central part of the cotton-belt, probably the first few weeks 

 in February is a safer period than is an earlier date, and 

 any delay after this time is likely to reduce the yield 

 greatly. 



20. Drilling versus broadcast sowing. — Some experi- 

 ments have shown advantage in yield from sowing oats 

 with a grain drill as compared with broadcast sowing. 

 Drilling has the advantages: (1) of saving at least half a 

 bushel of seed per acre; (2) placing the seed at a more 

 uniform depth, thus favoring uniformity in ripening ; and 

 (3) leaving the plants in a very shallow depression, which 

 affords a shght degree of protection against cold and 

 heaving. 



