120 



On the Cultivation of Oats. 



from 15 to 18 days later than the Sandy. It may be mentioned 

 here, that although these experimental oats were sown with little 

 more than 3 pecks to the acre, the crop was fully better than 

 that sown broadcast alongside with 4 bushels to the acre. 



Having made some remarks on the physical conditions neces- 

 sary to the growth of oats under the varying circumstances of soil 

 and climate, and given a description of the more important varie- 

 ties of this grain at present under cultivation, we will now pro- 

 ceed to the consideration of the proposition, " Whether the effect 

 of the cooler climate of Scotland can be compensated in the 

 southern parts of the island by an improvement of cultivation?" 

 We have already attempted to show that, in a general point of 

 view, soil has less influence on the growth of the oat plant than 

 climate ; and that were the sandy plains of Norfolk, or the chalk 

 downs of Surrey or Wiltshire, transferred to the cooler climate of 

 Scotland, their capability to grow oats would be greatly increased. 

 At first sight this would appear to settle the point, for as we can 

 exercise little influence over climate, the conclusion forced upon 

 us would be one totally opposed to the practice of sowing oats in 

 the south of England, especiall}^ on the drier soils. There are 

 other considerations, however, which, when taken into account, 

 will be found greatly to modify this conclusion. These refer to 

 the treatment of the soil — selection of varieties of oats specially 

 adapted to soil and climate — change of seed, and period of sowing 

 — ail of which exercise more or less influence in modifying and 

 altering the natural effects of climate. 



In Scotland both the quality and quantity of oats have been 

 greatly improved and increased within the present century, and 

 these results have been obtained by more cleanly cultivation, a bet- 

 ter system of cropping, attention to the quality and kind of seed 

 sown, and a regular practice of changing it from a good soil and 

 climate to localities less favourably situated in these respects. 

 The Scotch farmer knows that a dropping cool summer will pro- 

 duce a heavy crop of early oats, but that a drier or hotter one will 

 give a better one of Late or Common oats, which are two to three 

 weeks longer of coming to maturity. Apply this fact to the case 

 of south England, and what do we find? ¥/hy, that there the 

 summers are nearly always what would be termed dry in Scot- 

 land. The harvest there is also about a month earlier, conse- 

 quently the later varieties of oats, which require more sun to ripen 

 them than the earlier sorts, should be sown. Again, the spring 

 and summer climate of south England is about four or five weeks 

 in advance of that of the northern part of the island. Thus the 

 mean maximum temperature of February at Thwaite, in Sussex, 

 corresponds nearly to that of March at Dunino, in Fifeshire, and of 

 Edinburgh, in Mid-Lothian; and soon in succession Avith the 



