BLACK TARTARIAN OAT 499 



than the south and east. In a dry climate, unless the soil is 

 retentive of water, the oat develops a long thin grain, and a thick 

 husk, which often bears a strong awn; the branches of the 

 panicles become dry and apparently hinder the translocation of 

 materials necessary for the formation of a plump grain. 



This cereal may, however, be grown upon almost all classes of 

 soil. 



Sowing. — With the exception of the winter dun oat and one 

 or two similar varieties, oats are sown in spring. In the south 

 of England they are generally drilled or broad-casted in January 

 or February, while in the north the crop is sown in March and 

 April. 



When drilled 3 to 4 bushels of seed per acre are used, accord- 

 ing to the size of the grain, the tillering power, and the locality. 

 Up to 6 bushels per acre are broadcasted. 



Yield. — The yield of grain per acre varies from 40 to 80 

 bushels or more; the straw weighs from 25 to 40 cwts. per acre. 



Composition. — Oats have more ' fibre ' than any of the other 

 cereals, reaching on an average 10 per cent, of the grain. The 

 soluble carbohydrates average 57 per cent.; the fat-content is 

 over 5 per cent., an amount much higher than any other cereal 

 except maize. The albuminoids average about 1 1^ per cent. 



Ex. 269. — Examine the spikelets of any common oat. Note the number of 

 flowers in each, the form and extent of the empty and flowering glumes, and 

 the form of the naked caryopsis. 



Which flowering glumes have awns ? 



Ex. 260. — Compare the inflorescences of Tartarian and Common Oats, and 

 a!?o the grains and flowering glumes of each. 



Ex. 261. — Examine and compare the spikelet and grain of a wild oat with 

 tnat of any of the cultivated forms. 



