Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-09-12
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TIE value Of the Oat crop q not usual
| " recognized by Southern farmers. IL
ranks fifth in value Of the neld crops
and third IN value Of the gain crops.
It may be asked why % valuable .
crop has been % long neglected In the
South. The following may be given q
some Of the reascnsi :.
/. In the early days the idea prevailed
that oats were net adapted to Southern
lands.
| 2. Newly cleared lands having stumps
made Il easier to handle corn and other
crops.
| 3. The custom Of feeding farm stock
corn only a. the grain ration became
fixed and hard 10 change.
| 4. Harvesting in the old way BY grain
cradle was slow and laborious.
Il has been fully demonstrated that
most Of the land 10 well adapted to oats.
Much Of It has also been cleared OF
stunps 60 all the improved planting and
harvesting machinery may Be used sue
cessfully.
the old idea that corn was the best
grain for stock has been overcome and
Il 10 now conceded that oats 70 much
better food for all young animals and
| for work stock during summer months.
The following may be cited a. some
OF the reasons for growing oats on the
Southern farm:
| /. Oats on similar soils will produce
a. many pounds Of grain 90 cora.
2. Oats require less labor to grow and
harvest than corn.
| 8. Oats furnish the best grain for
Young stock and for work animals dur
y ing the sumner months.
/ 4. Nearly oil soils In the South are
adapted TO oats.
&. Fall sown oats ID one Of the surest
grain crops.
6. Oats may be followed by soil
improving crop such as cowpeas or soy
beans.
2. Makes good substitute for cotton
AZ a money crop.
8. Fits well in systematic crop rota-
tion.
/ 9 Affords better distribution OF
the labor Of hands and teams through
: oat the year. d.
IL, dep. " solys theasbor problem.
PREPARATION.
The land should be well broken sever
al weeks before seeding, II practical.
in order to allow settling Of the soil
The surface should be thoroughly pre-
pared by disc and section harrows be-
fore seeding.
FERTILIZER.
At time of seeding apply from 200 to
400 hounds of acid phosphate per acre.
About March lst, or when oats begin
to "boot" or joint. broadcast 100 pounds
of nitrate Of soda per acre. Follow
with section harrow with teeth well
slanted to prevent uprooting plants.
Il SEEDING.
It seldom pays to plant any but fall
oats in the South. The time Of plant
ing ranges between September 10th and
) November 18th. The most satisfactory
results have been obtained from Octo-
ber seeding. Red Rust Proof or related
varieties. such as Appler and Culberson,
constitute the best general purpose oats
for the South. 1t Is better to procure
native grown seed. as these will be &C
, climated and practically rust proof.
The best results have been obtained
by planting with grain dnll. If grain
drill IL not available the seed may be
sown broadcast by hand and covered
with plow or disc harrow.
For the northern portion Of the cot
ton belt. the open furrow system Of
planting may be the safest. This ID
done by opening drills with shovel plow
Is to 20 inches apart, sowing the seed
in this furrow and covering lightly.
The quantity Of seed should be about
the same for any Of the above methods
From two to two and one-hatf bushels
Of seed per acre have given the best re-
: turns.
| FOR further information send for the
following bulletins:
United States Department Of Agri-
culture, Farmers' Bulletin No. 4s6.
Alabama Experiment Station, Bul.
letin No. 1877.
Georgia Experiment Station, Bulle-
tins No. "A and No. u.
w. B. MRRCIRR.
II. II. E. SAvRLY,
Es>lI wouka