SUCCULENT GREEN FOOD 83 



are from one and a half to two inches in length the 

 chemical quality of the oat is not lost, a;nd we really 

 get a double ration when it is fed. If allowed to go 

 beyond this length, they are then just an ordinary 

 green food. 



In many instances we have noticed writers advoca- 

 ting soaking the oats overnight, and then, for the next 

 few days, to periodically stir them. And in other 

 cases writers advise, when they are placed in the 

 frames to turn the oats over. This is a serious mis- 

 take, for anyone can readily see that the tender shoots, 

 which grow most rapidly after the third day, would 

 be broken off, and where this occurs the oats will rot. 



Oats, of course, can be sprouted in sheds, or even 

 out-of-doors, if they are covered up so that the sun 

 will not dry them out too rapidly. ' 



A frame should be made in such a manner that the 

 water sprayed over the oats will slowly drain away. 

 There are a number of different contrivances now 

 being placed on the market for sprouting oats, and we 

 have no doubt that, on small plants, some of them 

 would prove quite satisfactory. Where it is desired 

 to sprout oats in a small way, in the Cellar of one's 

 house, a rack can be built with run-ways for the 

 trays to slide on, with a space of two inches between 

 the trays. By thoroughly sprinkling the top tray 

 the water will run down through from one tray to 

 another, and, as the growth progresses, the more 

 advanced ones can be moved up from the bottom of 



