Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-02-06
HOW TO GROW OATS.
(5y J. II. 5urey)


FIRST PRIZE.
The seed corn agitation that has
been carried on the past few years has
been a 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 29 bushels per acre, we
think that this is all 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 80 bush
els per acre, which could easily he
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
be considered is the seed, as what we
SOW that We must expect to reap. To
produce a large crop we must have
seed that is in it's highest state of
thoroughly famed and properly grad
ed SO that none but heavy and uniform
kernels remain, after which it should
be carefully treated for smut The
old method Of taking the seed from
the bin direct to the field, without any
previous preparation, is the leading
cause why such low yields are in evil
nIr "a al OF
occasional supply of seed from some
cool climate where it reaches its high
est development This is advisable if
Tor any reason our grain shows evil
dencc of running out, as is often the
case in our climate.
The Seed Bed.
The preparation OF the seed bed is
next in Importance. Upon investiga-
tion 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 stand and uni
formity 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
it is not advisable to make it more
than three or three and one-ha]f inches
in depth. This is usually accomplished
by discing twice. giving it a 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-cIass work. In
sowing the seed, which is the last
step, the use Of drill cannot be rec
commended too highly, as it places the
seed in the ground at uniform depth
into moist soil, and none is wasted as
in broadcasting.
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 tie seed receives an
even covering at depth of from one
and onehalf 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 a strong
and vigorous plant. we cannot expect
bumper crop Of oats.