The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-02-24
OATS

crop. The spring cat mas been
grown extensively in Eastern Ken
lucky compared with the winter
oat. Last fall through September
and October there was quite a big
winter crop put in.
The winter oat is almost sure
crop. We need more on our farms.
But at this season we must think
and talk Of the spring oat crop. The
experimental age is over to a great
extent with the farmer. The Ex-
pertinent station has and is solving
the problems for the farmer in order
to relieve him of the time and cost
of experimenting. Its up to the far
mer to carry out the plans that
have been worked out and gather re-
suits. OF course there are c0ndi-
tions-they must be considered.
GROW and MATCHMAKER and
GROW.
Preparation of Seed Bed
Less attention is ordinarily given
to the preparation Of the seed bed
for oat than for any other crop.
A common method is to follow corn
with oats. The method is to SOW the
seed broadcast on the corn land with
out preparation. This method | am
glad to say is now less used than 1t
was few years ago. A good seed
bed can hardly be prepared with
fewer than two discings and us
ually at least one narrowing is nee
essary.
When oats are to be sowed on land
on which the stalks are still standing
il is good practice to cut or break
the stalks before discing in order to
cut the stalks up in short pieces
causing them TO rot quicker and be-
come a source of plant food. Cut
the stalks with a hoe or break them
down by drag. Do this when
ground is frozen-the stalks will
break better.
Never burn the stalks or grass off
of the field.-Cut with disk and
pillow under. We are working for
humus-we need more humus. We
can't get il if we burn vegetation
and take off all crops.
Time to Sow
II is always advisable to sow oats
as early in the spring as the land can
be worked, but proper preparation
should not be neglected to gain lit
tie time in getting the seed into the
ground. Sow when seed bed is
thoroughly prepared and should be
from March 25 to April 8.
Oats do best in a firm seed bed
with two or three inches of loose
mellow soil on the surface. This
can best be done by double disking,
sowing and then narrowing twice.
Treatment for Smut
Last year there was quite dis
turbance about smut. This can be
prevented by spreading the seed out
on a clean floor and sprinkling them
with a solution Of formalin and
water at the rate Of one-fourth
pound of formalin to ten gallons OF
water. Formain is a clear liquid
form Of formaldehyde. II can be
obtained at any drug store. Stir the
oats until all the grains are well
moistened and then cover with blan-
kets or a canvas and let stand for
several hours after which the seed
may be sown. The seed will run
through the drill much better il al
lowed to dry. The grain should not
be put back in sacks, bins, or drills
that have not been treated.
Rate of Seeding
The rate of seeding depends on
locality, the condition and fertility
OF the soil, the method of seeding
and the size of the seed. Drilling
requires less seed than sowing
broadcast. In general the rate is
about six pecks per acre. Some
times more is necessary but never
SOW less IMAM SIX pechs.
Depth of Seed
If the seed is sOwn broadcast a
shallow disking is necessary to COW
er the seed. II the disk can't be
had use an A harrow. Be sure the
seed is all covered.
Cultivation
On loose soil rolling can some
times be done 10 a great advantage
after the seed is sown. The Wiscon-
sin Station found that the tempera-
ture Of rolled soils was higher than
that of soils not rolled. For this
reason termination and early growth
can sometimes be fastened by roll
ing.
II land has a tendency TO be wet or
easy TO pack be careful about us
ing a roller.
Mississippi Farms for Rent. 235 A.,
1914 A. Rental secures deeds in 20