68 
Report of the First Assistant of the 
On May 11 the one and one-half inch depth vegetated 89, the 
greatest number of any dejDth, and it is be noted that on June 23 this 
depth showed the largest percentage of vegetation, one month after 
the last count made in May. When these seeds were planted the soil 
was quite dry, owing to the small amount of rainfall which occurred 
in April and May. The two rows with seeds at one-fourth and one- 
half inch did not vegetate for over three weeks, the surface soil was so 
dry. When counted on June 23 the jDercentage of vegetation was 
very low for one-fourth inch, and quite low for one-half inch. These 
two rows were very backward all the season, and did not mature and 
ripen seeds with those planted at greater depth; neither did they 
attain the height and robustness of the plants in the other rows. On 
August 3 the seedings from three-fourths to five inches were much in 
advance of the others, although when cut those planted at a depth of 
seven inches were not very tardy in development. 
As with similar experiments conducted with wheat in 1885-6 at this 
station, one and one-half inch seems to be the most suitable depth at 
which to plant oats, in order to secure permanent moisture to insure 
early vegetation. On dry ground, or during a dry season, the ill 
effects from broadcast seeding can be well illustrated from the growths 
made at one-fourth and one-half inch in this experiment. 
Fall Planting of Oats. 
On September 30, 1886, seventeen varieties of oats were planted, 
with the purpose in view of learning if any of these would withstand 
the severity of our northern winter. The winter oat is commonly 
known in the Middle or Southern States, where the severity of the 
winter is not sufficient to kill the plant after a good vegetation has 
taken place. Of the following named oats, thirteen are distinctly 
so-called winter varieties, being specially adapted to southern lati- 
tudes, the others being common to the North. The winter varieties 
made a very good growth, throwing out an abundance of fine, grassy 
leaves which matted close to the ground. The other varieties made 
the customary rather erect growth, with a medium amount of coarse 
foliage. These plants did very well until winter set in, and became 
covered with snow. By spring, however, each and every plant of all 
varieties was dead and brown. Not one had survived the cold and 
freezing and thawing. The following are the so-called varieties 
planted: 
1, Burt's Extra Early Rust Proof; 2, Georgian; 3, Georgia Red Rust 
Proof; 4, Grazing; 5, Harris; 6, Mammoth Russian; 7, Milliard's 
Kansas Hybrid; 8, Red Rust Proof; 9, Rousse Couronne; 10, Rust 
