222 ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
before frost. The last week in September or the first 
week in October is the best time to sow. There are 
many advantages in sowing oats at that time, how¬ 
ever one may be guided by the conditions in his locality. 
The soil is usually in very good condition. The work 
does not interfere greatly with other farm work. In 
fact, the cotton or corn stalks may be disked and the 
Fig. 162b.—Treating seed oats with the formaldehyde solution. One man is 
stirring the oats with the shovel while the other sprinkles. 
oats broadcasted with very little extra expense. Winter 
oats ripen early and avoid the hot dry weather. It is 
very much better to sow winter oats than spring oats 
if they will survive the winter. From two to two and 
one-half bushels of oats are sown per acre. It pays 
to treat seed oats with formaldehyde to destroy smut. 
Your county agricultural demonstrator will suggest a 
method of using the treatment. 
