The Iola register., 1885-05-08
THE DAT CROP.
Facts and Figures Showing the Extent
and Value of This Farm Product.

Facts and Figures Showing the Extent
and Value of This Farm Product.
The Oat crop is an important crop in
this country. That of 1884 was the
largest in area as well rs in total prod
uct ever grown. The number of acres
in 1888 was little more than 20,000,-
600 and in 1884 over 21,000, 600 of
acres, and the product in bushels was
in 1888 571, ,32, 400. and in 1884 $685.
62S, 600 The price in 1888 was nearly
cent greater per bushel than in 1884.
The total bushels of oats grown il
about one third that of corn, and the
total value CT the oat crop last year was
Sl6l, 100000.
In Michigan the State report gives
the crop for 1888 at 5o7, ,s1l acres and
1921, 1872 bAshels. and the Departments
of Agriculture gives the crop for 1884.
as 5y7, 1864 acres and 19.y90,000 bush
els. an average OF 33 bushels per acre
and value of nearly $40 per acre.
1 his is OF course low value of product
per acre. But it may 5e remembered
that the cat crop is The least costly
grain crop to raise and that the value
of tie straw when properly cared for is
a large addition 10 the value of the crop
to the farmer.
The JANUARY crop report showed that
the cost Of Oats per bushel averaged for
the State pa cents and the average
price was 26.27 cents per bushel. The
value of straw was deducted from this.
When. that was added there would be
shown. h proht, a; the value of an acre
of oaa straw properly cured is at least
I So.
{ This value, too, is the average for she
State. The cost is obtained from good
farmers, while the product is the aver
age-wheu well cultivated the crop is
much larger than the average, and there
fore the cost per pushel less and the
profit greater
The oat crop is also very sure crop
and grows on all soils. In most sases
it fliows cora or potatoes preparatory
to seeding with grass or followed by
wheat. 1t is generally considered to be
az exhaQsting crop to the soil, but il
that is true it IS Il good crop to f4ed and
return the fertilizIng elements to the
soil again. On light soils it is gsG
crop TO seed with if the season il nc. too
dry. but on rich soils oats grow so
strong that they are liable to lodge,
and smother the young clover.
Oats grow best and produce the
heaviest graie q in moist, cool climate.
In such reg ons we'll north the grain
frequently s.eighs fifty poupds 10 tie
measured aashel. The weight grows
less farther south and generally the
yield, unt,t below forty degrees latitude
they cease 20 be a paying crop. When
seed is brought from far 2srth and sown
in a warmer AMI dryer climate the
weight quickly decreases AMI in a few
years declines to the standard of thirty.
two pounds per busAsl or less
In growing oats they should be sown
as early as the soil will admit, I'm
like some spring crops, they are not
injured by cold and unreasonable
weather after sowing. and if this wealth.
er is not long continued only seems to be
benefit rather than an injury. while il
sown late they are liable to reach ma
furity in drouth or be injured by rust.
in view Of the reasonable certainty Of q
crop, the ease of growing and the value
If both grain and straw, oats may Be
considered good crop to raise in thiq
Stsea-Detroa Post.