The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1916-10-27
OATS ON THE SMALL LOUISIANA fAtM
Should Be Used as Feed Crop-Less Expensive and Surer crop
Than Corn-Can Be Followed by Catch Crop-Pant
Oats in October-Oats and Vetch Make
a Coed Combination.

Oats O n the small arm should be grow strictly as a feed crop, and as
such will be found a cheaper feed IN the whole, than corn. The production
of feed for the work stock, on the average, requires from onethird to onehalf
of the energies of the farm, and therefore the growing OF this feed as cheapV
as possible becomes a question of great importance.
Since the corn generally gives out in the spring or early summer farmers
frequently make it a practice to plant more or less earlymaturing corn to
meet their requirements at this season. Quick maturing varieties of corn
re usually not very productive, the corn is IF poor quality, and it requires
considerable labor of men and teams in the cultivation. 1t is doubtful if this
practice is pood business. Oats will meet this need of early feed much better
than will the corn crop. The land can be prepared for the ot crop and the
planting done in the fall, and no further work is required till the oats are
ready to harvest usually in Mav fourt to six weeks ahead of the early corn.
The expense of growing the oat crop is much less; it is a surer crop when
planted at the right time in the fall; production of feed is fully a good per
acre as with corn, and IN additional advantage is that the land is available
for crops of lespede2a, COW peas, soy beans, peanuts o. other crops during the
summer.
That the farmer has no binder or tina. threshing outfits ire not accessible
should not be considered Is a serious objection to the ot crop. Areas of
oats not greater than Is or 20 acres an be harvested more economically with
the oldfashioned cradle, when the investment, upkeep and operating *
penses of a binder are considered. Probably the best method for the small
FARMER to pursue in handling this crop would be % cut with moving machine
when grain is in the dough, cure as hay and put in barn. Dat hay makes a
very satisfactory feed without any other hay or grain, and stock will do
Oats and Vehh.
A very decided improvement in the crop when It is to be made into hay
is to plant hairy vetch with the oats in the fall. The two plants grow to-
gether and mature at the same time. The veth improves the feeding value
OF the hay; being & legume it improves the SOIL and makes the handling Of
the oats as hay much easier The vech ripens seed by the time the oats
are ripe. and a small area should always be harvested for the mixed seed
with which to plant the next crop
October Best Month for Planting.
The growing of oats is well understood by most Louisiana farmers. The
most common mistake made by them is their failure to get the crop planted
at the right time. The month of October is the best time to plant the crop
anywhere Elm the state, though early November planting will answer when it is
impractical to plant earlier. Dry weather sometimes interferes with fall
p nat"t~ u, II "n isIey nappen tmt d soou STAND be secured III
October if the farmer will prepare his land some weeks in advance of plant
HS hN' fNAeA iH 6ldIuS Is te ODJeCL, INT CrOp SlOuQ be planted In
September.
A medium grade of land is most satisfactory for the oat crop; very rich
AM IA a tendency to grow too much straw, and in seasons Of excessive
moisture the crop will lodge or fall down. Very poor or cutover lands ar
very unsatisfactory for the crop.
Preparation Of Land.
PloW the land well, two Or more weeks in advance Of planting time. II
possible and disk Or harrow to a compact and well pulverzed seed bed.
Planting.
ft IN two to two and Onehaf bushels Of seed per acre. October Tho
drill is most satisfactory for this work, but when me is not available SOW
BROADCAST ad cover wifi disc harrow u pillow in lightly
Varieties
in this state. The Louisiana Red Rust Proof or some of its deriyative 10
TIT BEST under average conditions and no one will make a mistake to plant
one oft these varieties. The Fugham is favored by some farmers, and if has
the advantage of maturing about two weeks in advance of the Red Rust Proof
varieties. 1t might be advisable to plant a portion of the crop in the Frl.
CHAM variety in order to lengthen the harvest season.
Fertilizers.
One of the most important points with the small farmer in growing oats
is tt see that the crop follows COW peas OF some other legume, This svsten,
will obvate the necessity Of applying heterogeneous fertilizer, and when to
legume crop has been given a liberal application of phosphate, no fertilization
of the ot crop will be necessary. If sandy land has not been given this nbos
phate legume treatment ahead of the ot crop, it will generally pa to amt,
$50 to 200 pounds of acid phosphate at planting time, and 100 mounds o4
nitrate of soda per are in February or March is advisable when the price Of
nitrate is not prohibive.
Treatment for Smut.
This disease is generally present and frequently does much damage to ne
cat crop. 1t may be prevented by treating the seed with a solution of frr,
lin as follows:
Mix one ounce twotabespoons) OF tormahn with three gallons of uatar
Thoroughly wet the seed with this dilute souion-ple on floor, cover viii,
tarpaulin or sacks, and allow to stand for eight hours. Then spread and d,r
before planting.
W. R. PERKINS,
Live Stock Extension Service. Louisiana State University