1920.] 



Winter Oats. 



599 



Farmers who contemplate extending their wheat area 

 should arrange, if possible, not to reduce the acreage under 



Winter Oats. , lor thls f*» ma >' be . > ust , m , useful 



as wheat, and the straw is ol value as 



fodder. In many districts, particularly the south of England, 

 •the Frit-fly, sometimes called " bottling," has made spring" 

 oats a precarious crop. It is, therefore, well to sow the winter 

 grain, or Black Oats, about the end of March, as these are 

 more reliable than the commoner spring sorts, especially on 

 grass land just ploughed and in districts troubled by the Frit- 

 fly. Winter-sown oats are less liable to attack by this pest, 

 and are worthy of increased attention. They are also better 

 adapted to land badly infested with charlock. 



The three varieties of winter oats generally favoured are 

 Winter Grey or Dun Oat, Winter Black and Bountiful Black 

 Oat. Experience must guide choice, for all may grow equally 

 well in one district, but a particular variety may happen to be 

 in keener local demand. The Black varieties are somewhat 

 stronger in straw than the Grey, and are preferable on 

 land subject to " lodging." The Winter Black Oat is more 

 liable to shed its seed, and should be cut before it is dead ripe. 

 It does not give such a palatable straw 7 as the finer spring 

 varieties, but stock will readily eat it chaffed and mixed with 

 cake or meal. Winter oats suit a wide range of soils, and can 

 be grown successfully on land too poor or too light for wheat. 

 They can also be taken for a second crop on clean land. They 

 are less hardy than winter wheat or barley, and must be sown 

 early, preferably in September, so as to get well established 

 before the cold w r eather. " Bountiful " is the most delicate 

 of the three varieties, and should be reserved for the milder 

 districts: it requires a somewhat richer land than the others. 

 In preparing the soil for wunter oats, it is well to leave it 

 somewhat rough as a protection against cold winds, and in 

 certain ground harrowing may be omitted after drilling. Clean 

 land is essential, as weeds may seriously reduce the crop. 

 Among troublesome w T eeds, the Brome Grass is noteworthy, 

 and purchasers should see that their seed oats have been care- 

 fully cleaned. Winter oats are best suited to the warmer 

 southern counties, and are generally fit for cutting about 10 

 clays before other corn crops. 



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