Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-12-27
i HOW TO GROW OATS.
(By J. ~. 6urgy.)
FIRST PRIZE

The seed corn agitation that has
been carried on the past few years has
been great help towards developing
that important cereal, but during this
time little was accomplished towards
improving our seed oats. When we
come to realize that we produce on
an average only 20 bushels per acre. we
think that this is an opportune time
to inaugurate an educational campaign
SO that the farmer may get. next to
the fundamental principles in oat
growing. thereby enabling us to boast
of an average yield Of at least SO bush
els per acre, which could easily be
realized If more attention was given
to the selection and preparation of the
seed, properly. prepared seed bed and
time and method Of planting.
| Selecting the Seed.
The first and most important item to
,e considered is the seed, as what we
ow that we must expect to reap. To
| produce large crop we must have
! seed that is in its highest state OF
development; furthermore. it must be
! thoroughly famed and properly grad
d so that none but heavy and uniform
| erEels remain, after which 1t should
D, carefully treated for smut. The
| ID method of taking the seed from
lie bin direct to the field, without any
previous preparation, is the leading
cause why such low yields are in evil
dence. Some advocate obtaining an
occasional supply Of seed from some
cool climate where 1t reaches It's high
est development This is advisable If
Tor any reason our grain shows evil
dence of running out. hs is often the
case in our climate
| "a The Seed Bed
The preparation OF the seed bed Is
next In Importance. Upon investiga-
ton we find that most farmers give
little or no previous preparation to the
soil before planting. The usual plan
that is practiced is to plant the grain,
then disc and harrow it in; or, in other
| words, prepare the seed bed after the
planting. Then the farmer will won
der why his stand IS streaky and SO
uneven.
To obtain an even stard and uni
formfty in ripening of the grain, we
must have a well prepared seed bed
previous to planting. In this section
oats usually follows corn rotation
Thereby we have to contend with the
stalks, but by the use Of sharp disc
little trouble is experienced.
Use Drill.
AS oats do best on firm seed bed
1t is not advisable to make it more
than three or three and one-half inches
in depth This is usually accomplished
by discing twice giving it half lap,
following by double narrowing. This
treatment, If properly done. will leave
the ground in excellent shape for the
disc drill to do first-class work. In
sowing the seed, which is the last
step, the use of drill cannot be rec
commended too highly, as 1t places the
seed in the ground at a uniform depth
into moist soil, and none is wasted as
in broadcastirg
After repeated tests in drilling and
sowing broadcast. difference is found
Of from four to eight bushels per acre
in favor Of the former Sowing or
drilling should be commenced as early
in the season as conditions permit. as
early planted fields usually produce
the better quality of oats Three to
three and one-half bushels to the acre
of ordinary size seed gives the best
results; broadcasting and the large
varieties of oats requiring more. 1t is
important that the seed receives an
even covering at depth of from one
and one-half to two inches.
Test the Seed.
In conclusion we may again state
that too much Importance cannot be
attached to seed and its proper prep
aration, as no matter how well we pre-
pare the seed bed, or how we manage
the time or method of planting. unless
every kernel is of the highest vitality
and is capable of producing strong
and vigorous plant. we cannot expect
bumper crop Of oats