160 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



The usual rate of seeding oats varies from 6 to 10 or more 

 pecks per acre, the most common rate being 8 or 9 pecks. 

 The rate of seeding will depend to some extent upon the 

 size of the kernels. Varieties with large kernels should 

 be seeded more thickly than those with small grains, since 

 there are not so- many of the former per bushel. The 

 variation of a few pecks in the rate of seeding does not 

 usually affect the yield materially, since the plant adjusts 



Fig. 56. — Variation in stiffness of straw of two varieties of oats. 



itself to the environment by tillering. When seeded 

 thinly, more tillers are produced, thus thickening up the 

 stand. 



148. Harvesting. — The same methods are employed 

 in harvesting the larger part of the oat crop as have been 

 described for harvesting wheat. The time of cutting to 

 secure the best quality of grain is after the grains have 

 reached the hard dough stage, and the heads have turned 

 yellow. If cut before this time, the grains will be shriv- 

 eled, resulting in light weight per bushel. If cutting is 



