OATS, BARLEY AND RYE 81 



Adaptation and Culture. — Rye will grow on rather poor soil, and is 

 most extensively grown in districts in the temperate zone where the 

 soils are low in fertility. It is more hardy than wheat, and this is one of 

 the principal reasons for growing it. The time of seeding and cultural 

 methods are the same as those for wheat, although there is a somewhat 

 wider range in the time of seeding. It may be seeded late in the summer 

 and pastured so as to prevent heading during the autumn. It is quite 

 extensively used as a cover crop and for green manure. Its hardiness 

 and adaptation on poor soils make it especially valuable for these purposes 

 in the temperate zone. 



Rye is frequently broadcasted, although it gives better results when 

 seeded with a drill. A well-prepared seed-bed is essential to a good stand 

 of plants. Five to six pecks of seed per acre are required. 



Uses of Rye. — Rye is frequently used as a soiling crop and occa- 

 sionally cut for hay. When used for hay, it should be cut just before the 

 heads are out. If not cut early, the straw hardens and makes a tough, 

 unpalatable hay. A large part of the grain of rye in America is used in 

 the manufacture of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The grain is excel- 

 lent for feeding stock, but it gives best results when used in small quan- 

 tities and combined with other grains. It is best suited for hogs, horses 

 and poultry. The grain, being very hard, generally gives best results 

 when coarsely ground. 



REFERENCES 

 "Small Grains." Carleton. 

 "Field Crops." Livingston. 

 Farmers' Bulletins, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture: 



395. "Sixty-day and Kherson Oats." 



420. "Oats: Distribution and Uses.'' 



424. "Oats: Growing the Crop." 



427. "Barley Culture in the Southern States." 



436. "Winter Oats for the South." 



443. "Barley: Growing the Crop." 



518. "Winter Barley." 



