206 A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY 
Oats.—Oats may be distinguished from wheat, rye, and 
barley by the flower clusters being loose and spreading (Fig. 
262), rather than in compact cylindrical 
clusters (spikes). It also has been culti- 
vated from the most ancient times, and 
to-day the United States and Russia pro- 
duce the greatest crops. Oats are usually 
sown as early in the spring as possible, 
developing best in the cooler weather; 
and in northern latitudes the erop ma- 
tures in ninety days or less. Oats do 
not require so rich soil as wheat, and 
MY 
i, 
hi 
ith 
iat 
Fiq, 262.—Oats. i | 
After BarLuon. \i 
hence can be grown hy 
successfully where i 
wheat would not if 
¥ 
% 
thrive. In 1899 the 
United States pro- 
duced more bush- 
els of oats than of 
wheat. 
Rye.—This cere- 
al does not seem to p 
have been so long. ats i J 
in cultivation as the Fic, 263.--Rye 
