CHAPTER XXXVI. 



CULTIVATED AND WILD OATS (Genus Avena). 



I. Characters of the Genus. — The inflorescences or ' ears ' of oats 

 are panicles, the branches of which in some races spread out 

 widely, while in others the branches are more or less closely 

 pressed to one side of the main axis. 



The spikelets contain from two to six flowers; the empty 

 glumes are membranous, unequal, many-nerved, and generally 

 longer than the spikelet (Fig. 156). The flowering glume 

 terminates in two more or less distinct projecting points, and 

 is thick and firm with a bent, 

 twisted dorsal awn ; the awn of 

 the flowering glume is missing 

 from some of the finest' cultivated 

 oats. The empty glumes are 

 always pale yellow or straw colour, 

 but the flowering glumes may 

 be white, yellow, dun, brown or 

 black. 



The caryopses are spindle- y-J^^' A^'~^p'''''^' "' ^'''* °'" '^'"'"'' 

 shape, furrowed on one side, free, 



hairy on the tip and sides, and firmly clasped by the flowering 

 glume and pale, except in the naked oat, the fruit of which 

 readily falls out from between the glumes when shaken or 

 thrashed. 



The following are the chief species and varieties met with 

 on the farm : — 



2. Wild Oat {Avena fatua L.). — A common weed with long 



