Rate of seeding may vary from 50 to 100 pounds per acre — more 
in Maine and other New England states than farther south — more 
for hay, pasture or green manure crop than for grain production — 
more when sown alone than when as a nurse crop — more on thin, 
dry soil than on fertile moist soil— and more of large seeded lots 
than of small seeded lots. 
Fertilizer for both the oat crop and the accompanying forage crop 
(if any), using a mixture high in minerals and relatively low in Nitro- 
gen. Refrain from heavy use of manures. 
If lodging is a difficulty, use a variety resistant to this trouble, 
keep down the rate of seeding, precede the grain crop with a heavy 
feeding crop such as corn, avoid the use of high nitrogen fertilizers 
and manures at or recently prior to seeding, and prepare the land by 
discing rather than by plowing. 
Pasture before heads form, mow for hay or silage when heads are 
in the milk stage, cut with a binder when the grain is in the hard 
dough stage or with a combine when practically ripe, but before 
serious shelling has occurred. The degree of injury to the accom- 
panying grass or legume seeding occurs in the same order as these 
methods of harvesting are listed. 
Oats and barley may be sown with field peas for hay or grain 
production or with hairy vetch for pasturing. So used, about 50 
pounds of oats or barley are sown with 75 pounds of peas or 25 
pounds of vetch per acre. 

