The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-07-18
From The Southern Farmer.
WINTER OATS.

We have seen some fine crops of this new
variety 0f winter oats, about which ii would
be desirable to obtain all the information that
can be had. How long has il been introduc-
ed !! Whence was il obtained. Is it, IN fact,
a new variety, or The old spring oat, render
ell more hardy by repeated fall sowings, aud
therefore the better able to survive our win
ters?
From the cursory ubsen ations we have been
able to make, our opinion Is that it is entire.
ly distinct from any spring oats We have
known. The growth is different. The straw
is small and delicate. barely able TO support
the weight Of grain---insomuch that heavy
storm would be apt 20 prostratc the crop.
Those who have had spring uats, on the con-
trary, TO live thrOugh the winter, cannot have
Jailed TO remark the robust growth Of straw.
Nor do ae think that the constitution Of the
spring oats could be So changed as to enable
II 10 resist the rigors Of our winters, especi-
ally such Il one as the last. After centuries
d cultivation, we deem il altogether npos.
slble tliat its habits could be changed now BY
any temporary change OF circumstances.
On the whole, the winter oats appear to US
to be one Of the most important acquisitions
with which the agricultural interest has been
blessed Tor many years. There is no crop
more uncertain, or indeed so uncertain, as
spring oats. There has not been good one
IN this section oi country for five or SIX years
but. as winter grain, there is probably none
50 certain. Il is liable to none Of the ene-
mics that beset the wheat crop through all
its stages, from termination 10 harvest time.
II the spring should be dry, il will be good
crop; il wet, il will be stil more abundant;
and all this on land OF medium quality, such
as would not produce a remnncratiye crop Of
wheat. We hope, therefore, to see IL exten-
siyeiy cultivated by all our farmers. MOI
will its oaltnre conflict materially with that
Of wheat. The earlier il is soned, the better
viii be the crop and tie best time to do this
, is before the seeding OF wheat claims the at
trniior uf the farmer. Besides the greater
abundance Of foud il will afford for the stock
\ nf tile farm, one must important result may
\ be confidently expected TO follow its culture
land that Is, the doing away the necessity
under which snmany ot our farmers anw la
I bOr. Of depending Oh northern hdy for theli
horses and mules. This dependence is per
haps tie greatest opprobrium OF our agr!cul
tyre. II It was liaitei 20 the neighb0rhOOt
81 our Gates il would not BE- 50 bat; hut w
have learned vita some surprise from cor
respondent, whOse communication will b
found ia another column, that he lately saw
bales 81 northern bay 10 the great, wealthy
aud prosperous county nt lialiias. Now
the winter oat, 10 say nothing OF the grasse
which every farmer ought 10 cultiyhle, ar
capable % Amply supplying every wait Of tl
farm stock. Btsiaes tie qaauuty 81 graz
j, aIlnitis, tie straw Il - 81; aud dellcdt
tia, tie two combined, and fed 10 the furu
Of cut oats, viii be supeliur 10 aay hay tia
can be grown.
We shall be much obliged u any of %
!rieni-, who tlsse grown i0is yarict, d GA ;
il they would iaSor Us with all the infnrma
tion tlley have rrspectngit. How Inpeh wi'
II yield u HE acre. according q The slrcngt
of tic land, as well il grain as the aggregat
weight Of the crop; What is the weight q
Tie clean oats per buscI;