216 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



best results are usually obtained by plowing the seed bed 

 before discing. If this is done in the fall, the farmer is 

 able to get his field planted earlier in the spring, and the 

 firm, fine, compact seed bed, which all small grains require, 

 will have had time to form. 



149. The Selection of Oats for Seed. — Heavy seed 

 is preferred to that which is fight in weight. In Minnesota, 

 the difference in yield between heavy and light seed has 

 been found in some cases to be nearly ten bushels per acre. 



The seed should, if possible, be taken from fields free 

 from loose smut, but if there is any indication of the dis- 

 ease, the oats should be treated as explained in Exercise 36. 

 In fact, some of the most successful growers recommend 

 that all seed oats be so treated every other year. 



The desirable characters of seed oats may be well 

 brought out by comparing one sample with another. 



EXERCISE 48 



Object. — To compare and judge two samples of oats. 



Procedure. — Secure two samples of oats, each to con- 

 sist of at least two quarts. They should be marked " No. 

 1 " and " No. 2." Compare them carefully as regards (1) 

 uniformity, (2) freedom from weed seeds and other foreign 

 matter, (3) soundness, (4) proportion of kernel to hull, and 

 (5) weight per bushel, in the manner directed below : 



Uniformity. — As in the judging of wheat, we wish the 

 sample to be uniform in size, shape and color. The 

 prevailing size, shape and color are used as a basis, and 

 discoloration of kernels is not held against the sample 

 at this stage as it will be under soundness. In determin- 

 ing the prevailing size, shape and color, count out one 

 hundred kernels and sort them out in piles according to the 

 differences which they show in these respects. 



