176 FARM CROPS 



does his live stock for breeding purposes, improve- 

 ment will result to his satisfaction and profit. 



If you are dissatisfied with the kind you are 

 growing because of inferiority, and poor yields, 

 you had better start over again, this time using 

 one of the old and tried varieties that is at home 

 in your section. Some of these are the following: 

 For the West and North — Lincoln, American Ban- 

 ner, Early Dakota, Welcome, Seizure, Pringle's 

 Progress, White Bonanza, Wideawake, Clydesdale 

 and Monarch. For the Southern states — Virginia 

 Turf, Virginia Gray, Red Rust Proof, Gray Winter 

 and Beardless. When you once get a variety 

 adapted to your conditions, help it out by selecting 

 seed. 



Improving the Variety. — If you set out to improve 

 oats, have in mind only desirable features and do 

 not make the mistake of extending your work in 

 too many directions. A few important character- 

 istics well established are more to be desired than 

 an attempt with only indifferent results. A few 

 features that should be included in every breeding 

 operation are these : 



I. Hardiness and freedom from rust. A rust- 

 resisting variety would be superior for that feature 

 alone, and would command favor in every direction. 

 2. Earliness. Oats are partial to cool and moist 

 climatic conditions, hence the earlier they mature 

 the more satisfactory are the results. 3. Strength 

 of straw. A common trouble with oats where land 

 is fertile is their tendency to " down." Keep this 

 weakness in mind when breeding for improvement. 

 4. Heavier yield in grain. There is an open field 

 in this direction. 



Treating for Smut. — Smut is so common, so 



