74 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



and Red Rust Proof, together with Winter Turf, which is a strictly- 

 winter variety. Burt and Red Rust Proof may be seeded either in the 

 winter or spring. 



Seed Oats and Their Preparation for Seeding. — It is important to 



seed only varieties 

 that are adapted 

 to the conditions 

 that prevail, giv- 

 ing particular at- 

 tention to time of 

 maturity as re- 

 lated to the pre- 

 vailing climatic 

 conditions during 

 the oat - growing 

 period. Seed oats 

 should be thor- 

 oughly cleaned by 

 the use of a good 

 fanning mill be- 

 fore seeding. The 

 screens of the mill 

 and the blast of 

 air should be such 

 as to remove all 

 foreign seed, hulls, 

 trash and light 

 and small oats. 

 Frequently one- 

 quarter or one- 

 third of the oats 

 may be removed 

 in this way. Such 

 thorough cleaning 

 makes for a uni- 

 form stand of vig- 

 orous plant in the 

 field. 



If there is 

 any trouble from 

 smut, seed should be treated with formaldehyde; one pound of 40 per 

 cent formaldehyde to 45 gallons of water. This is sufficient for treating 

 about 45 bushels of oats. The solution must be brought in contact 

 with every berry in order to be thoroughly effective. The oats may be 



' From Farmers' Bulletin 424, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



Two Types op Oat Heads. 1 



Spreading, or panicled, oats (on the left) ; side, or horse- 

 mane, oats (on the right). 



