it is promoted by warm dry weather. The grain of oats grown
in warm seasons is better developed, and in composition more nutritious
(_i.e._, contains more nitrogen), than that of oats grown in wet
seasons, while the reverse is the case with the straw.

"_Avenine._"

A point of considerable interest in connection with the composition of
oats is the fact that it contains a body which exerts a strikingly
stimulating effect on the nervous system of the animal, and to which the
name "avenine" has been given.

_Quantities of Manures._

The quantities of manures which may be applied to the oat crop are
similar in amount to those which ought to be applied to barley--from 1/2
to 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda, and from 2 to 3 cwt. superphosphate of
lime. Very often, however, the oat crop receives directly little or no
manure. In the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's
experiments, sulphate of ammonia was found to be of very much less value
than nitrate of soda as a manure for oats. Potash manures, especially
muriate of potash, had a very beneficial effect. The general conclusions
drawn from these experiments were, that the treatment of the land should
be such as to accumulate organic matter in it, to prevent too great a
loss of moisture, and to provide the young plant with manures that come
speedily into operation.

GRASS.

The manuring of grass is a question of very great interest and
importance, but is, at the same time, beset with peculiar difficulties.
Grass is grown under two conditions--first, that grown on soils
exclusively set apart for its continuous growth (permanent pasture);
and secondly, that grown for the purpose of being converted into hay and
of providing pasture in the ordinary rotation of crops (rotation seeds).
The manuring of the former is somewhat different from the manuring of
the latter.

_Effect of Manure on Herbage of Pastures._

The nature of the herbage growing on pasture is very much influenced by
the manure applied. This, indeed, is one of the most noteworthy features
connected with the manuring of grass, and has been especially observed
in the Rothamsted experiments, where the influence of the different
manures on the various kinds of herbage has been investigated with great
care. The herbage constituting pasture is, as every farmer knows, of a
varied description. We have in pastures a mixture of plants belonging
both to the gramineous and leguminous classes, as well as a va