184 USTILAGINE.^. 



There is an old superstition among farmers that the burning 

 of seed corn cobs produces smut, and you can find quite a 

 number who adhere to that foolish notion. If they would burn 

 the spores that would be wiser. 



TJ. segetum. Pers. 

 Transforming the seed of oats (avena sativa) into a dusty 

 mass. This parasite, like the Maydis, is equally as destructive 

 to the grain. Some seasons whole fields are affected, making 

 the crop almost worthless. Oats with a good quantity of smut 

 makes it very unpleasant for farmers to handle ; the inhalation 

 and absorption of the spores is sickening, producing often a 

 high fever for a few days. 



