The Ozark spectator., 1917-02-07
SPRING OATS E
 ALWAYS SAFE CROP
. Is Easy to Get Started ara M& lures at a Convenient Tim
 ef Che fear.
By l.. W. Osbsrr, Experiment. Station UTiVefsffy e ArkanSSSs

OalS seeded ln ECG sH AB VI A~'s winter have always been pspalAr waeh farmers in oat growing ssctsS&s st 0s State. This crop natures st a very convenient time when the supply or feed from the preceding year h set ting low. The crop always can ss de pended upon to yield at least fair re- turns at an opportune time. fNfther' more the crop i. comparatively eA@y to get started, and the work can ss done al time of year when nothing else is pressing
 The value returned per acre 's not as high in case af oats as with some other crops Still when the low cost of production is considered, sa we'll as the fact that the crop Is removed frem the land in plenty of time for . crop of cowpeas, soybeans. peanuts, or oth- CT summer growing crops. the value is high enough t0 make the oat crop profitable
 Spring seeded oats, compared with winter oats, do not. As . rue. yield as much grain nor A good quality or grain. and usually the grown of straw is less. On the other hAAd. oass seed ed In the spring or late winter gre not damaged by winter killing and are more certain to give return SA . feld where winter oata are likely 10 suffer On poorly drained soils and on fields subject to overflow 14rtnS Ah H~ .xf AGAr ence.
 PrepAratlon ef Land.
 Though the cat crop in general will stand considerable rough treatment. there is no question but that the crop will respond to good cultW al methods and return pront according ly A fairly deep and compact seed bed should be prepared before seed ing Frequently, on good land which has had well-cared- for cultivated crop the year before. thorough dou- ble diskins followed by section hsr. row is all that is necessary. On land which is of close nature and lack. ing in organic matter II Is q better practice to flat break during the win ter and disc or harrow before seedin 2 antil the land is in good shape.
 Time Of Seeding.
 The oat crop in general does best when the weather is comparatively cool and moisture plentiful. For that reason. the sooner after the cold win ter weather breaks up that the oSt crop can be seeded. the better are the possibilities for securing 8 good crop The tune of seeding will vary in dif ferent sections of the State from early February in south Arkansas. to early March in north Arkansas. Time of seeding is very important in the case of oats seeded al this time of year. When seeding is delayed in the spring there IS great danger that hot sum mer weather will not permit the grain to i'll out normally. An carly seeded crop allows more time for the plant ! weather
 Seed Is best sown with . grain lrill in order to save seed and secure . uniform stand. If drill is ES< svail able good results can generally be obtained by seeding broadcast snt covering with . section harrow Be tween two and two and onehAif bush els of seed are necessary with a grain drill and three bushels or more when seeding broadcast. The rate 0f seed n h. variety. since some varieties have much larger grains than others
 Varieties.
 vsrietsl tests of spring oats show that early maturing types give bes' results. Burt has always been . yer, dependable variety and seed cal usually be secured At nest seed houses. The various Red Rust Proof varieties which are ommonly seed ed tn the fall. do very we'll when seeded In tAe late winter or early spring. A Rec Rust Proof selection, known ss Full Ehrm. which was tested for the first time ae spring cat this past season. dfA exceptionally we'll This oat is one beF1on and Winter Turf varieties should not be used for spring seeding because of their later maturity.
 Harvesting.
 The greateet value per acre car usuAlly be obtained when the crop ii cut and used for hay.
 If the crop is cut just as the head: begin to turn. the greatest value vii be realized, since rhs straw is greer st that time and the whole plant 1, p<ry palstable and makes . high quAl