METHODS OF BREEDING OATS 
389 
yield of seed and another a small yield. But it must be 
remembered that we are only at the beginning in our under¬ 
standing of some of these problems. The methods of breed¬ 
ing oats serves to illustrate why it is important that we know 
more about plant breeding and also illustrates the general 
problem. 
321. Methods of Breeding Oats. — The oat crop ranks third 
in New York State, having an annual value of about twenty 
Figure 357. — Types of Heads of Oats (see text). 
million dollars. The average yield per acre when the study of 
breeding oats was undertaken was about thirty bushels per 
acre whereas it should be not less than forty bushels per acre. 
The first step is to secure good seed which will produce 
large, healthy plants. Students of commercial oats recognize 
