Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-03-14

= ~ = = ~ = = = = = 1875
Oats in the United States is ex-
ceeded in acreage and value only by
corn and wheat of the grain crops.
The average area annually devoted
to this crop in this country in the five
years from 1912 to 1916, inclusive, was
9,459000 acres. This is approximate
ly three-eighths of the acreage devoted
to corn, and three-fourths of the acre
age devoted to wheat in the same
years. The estimated average prOduc-
ton of oats in these five years was l.
zoe, 437, 900 bushels, with an esti-
mated farm value Of 1921, 436, 000. But,
notwithstanding this, less attention
has been given to the production of
oats than to any other important grain,
so that yields often have been unsatis-
factory and the crop sometimes un-
profitable.
Best Soils for Oats.
In the production of oats proper
climatic and cultural conditions are
of more importance than the charac-
ter or even the fertility of the soil
Owing to their greater water holding
capacity loan and clay soils usually
produce better crops than sandy soils.
Sandy land with plenty of plant food
and a moderately stiff subsoil will
grow good oats, but heavy, undrained
claYS are too wet and cold for the best
growth Of the crop. More water is
required o produce pound of dry
matter in oats than in any other
cereal; hence the necessity for grow
ing this crop on land that naturally
retains moisture or that is well filled
with humus. On account of their Habil-
ity to lodge, oats should not be grown
on very rich soil or on low, undrained
lands Good drainage is essential also
in the prevention of injury from plant
diseases.
Fertilizers and Manures.
Though the crop is a vigorous feeder
and will do better on poor soils than
most other grain crops the judicious
use Of fertilizers or manure is usually
profitable The fertilizer problem is
made difficult, however, by the fact
that on rich soil oats make q rank
growth, which often results in lodging
and in conditions favorable to rust
and other diseases.
Unless the soil is very low In fer
tility the direct application Of barn
yard manure to the crop is seldom
advisable. Much more satisfactory
roCJ11+c 11cJYoIIv oap ho obtained bv on
plying the manure previous to grow
ing some other crop in the rotation,
such as corn. The oats then will get
the benefit of q part Of the manure
and Of the added humus in the soil,
with less danger that a rank growth
Of straw will be made at the expense
of grain production On very poor
soil a few loads Of weIl-rotted manure
may be applied some time previous to
sowing oats. The manure should be
spread as evenly as possible and
should be well worked into the soil.
The use of a small quantity of raw
rock phosphate with the manure is
usually advisable.
OF the three most important
plant-fOOd elements, nitrogen, phOS-
phorus. and potash, phosphorus is the
one most often present in insufficient
quantities for the best production Of
oats.
Preparation of the Seed Bed.
Less attention ordinarily is given to
the preparation of the seed bed for
oats than that for any other field crop.
In the corn belt, where oats commonly
follow corn, the seed is often s0Wn
broadcast without previous preparation
of the land. 1t is then covered by
disking and narrowing. Much better
results are obtained, however, by
disking the land before seeding
whether the seed is sown broadcast or
is drilled. A good seed bed usually
can not be prepared with fewer than
two diskings and at least one harrow
ing. II the oats are to be sOwn on
cortland on which the stalks are still
standing, it is good practice to break
the stalks before disking. This can
no 6nnn readily FROSTY