Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-18
POSSIBILITIES OFOAT PRODUCTION

The cat crop has come TO be more
generally appreciated. and this Is a
harpy sign OF the times Oats may be
substituted for corn in the feeding OF
horses and mules with most gratifying
results They can also be used quite
extensively in the feeding OF cattle and
sheen. They can be produced at a rel
atively small cost where the sland is
properly cultivated and fortified, and
NAV be made 10 act as a cover crop
during the winter season
Statistics indicate that about 1885,
600 acres Of land were devoted 20 the
cultivation OF oats in what the census
bureau has termed the South Atlantic
states. or this acreage. $4,000 acres
were found in Virginia, $4,000 IN
North Carolipa. $4,000 in South Caro-
lima and 100000 in Georgia In 1911,
South Carolina produced over 100000
bushels, and Georgia S.SS6,0oo. The av-
eraCe Weld per acre in the South At
lantfc states was 20.2 bushels, which II
will be seen approximates, and in many
instances is greater than the yield OF
corn. Oats are also being cultivated
to some extent in the south central
states. where nearly 100000 acres OF
land are devoted TO this crop. In the
two geographical areas mentioned
IS OOO. 600 bushels OF oats were pro-
duced by fan seeding on land which
had been devoted previously to the corn
crop or cowpeas cut for hay. The cub
tivarion OF oats as a winter cover crop
is. however. still in its infancy, and any
one OF the southern states should easily
produce 100. 900 900 bushels a year If
this were done. the corn crop would be
adequately supplemented. larger num-
bers OF live stock cOOuld be maintain
ed to work the land. and the Inaugural
ton Of systems OF crop rotation could
be undertaken in the immediate future.
The advantage Of saving the large
amount OF money sent out OF the south
Tor corn. and OF fnstituting a perma-
neut system OF agriculture through ex-
tending the cultivation OF oats are eco
nOmic problems OF such great impor-
lance that their value can not be &C
curately stated in terms Of dollars and
cents.
Admitting the Importance Of the
above statements, the question devolves
on the practicabiIity 90 extending the
cultivation OF winter oats. There is
an abundance OF land available. for the
cat crop is not so particular as TO the
choice OF soils as some OF the other
cereals. 1t grows well on the sandy
soils OF the coastal plain as as well
as on the heavy clays OF the Piedmont
region The greater success which has
been met with in the cultivation of
this crop in recent years is due 10 the
better preparation which has been &C
corded the ground and the more liberal
fertilization OF the land which is now
practiced- For a long time IL was the
general impression that the cultivation
OF oats was not profitable. but this con-
clusfon was only reached BY those
who failed TO realize the Importance
OF supplemental plant food for this
crop. for ii has now been demonstrated
over and over again that where ra-
tional combination OF fertilizers is
used the cat crop is one OF the most de-
sirable and reliable as to yield which
the southern farmer can grow.
In preparing the soil for oats 1t is i'm
portant that a good seed bed be OBJ
tanned Occasionally in a wet season, or
where the land has been devoted to such
leguminous crops as the cowpea, plow-
ing may unnecessary. but this is the
exception rather than the rule In most
localities. and certainly holds good in
those sections where the elevation and
the distance from the seacOast makes the
winter somewhat severe, and there is
q greater tendency on that account for