338 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



CROSS-SEEDING VS. ORDINARY SEEDING. 



Some inquiry having been made as to the probable result of cross-seeding, two plots 

 of y 1 ^ acre each were sown with Red Fife, by drill in fallow land, clay loam. 



One plot was sown in the ordinary way, first, with 3 pecks per acre, then crossed 

 with the same quantity. The other plot beside it was sown at the rate of 1^ bushels 

 per acre. Following is the result : . . 



GRAIN WHEAT TEST OP CROSS-SEEDING VS. ORDINARY SEEDING. 



Smut Test. 



The bluestone test for smut was repeated the past season with surprising results. 



The value of bluestone in killing the germs of smut having been demonstrated in 

 prior tests, an experiment was made the past season with very smutty seed to ascertain 

 how badly the seed may be affected and yet be made safe for seeding purposes. 



The seed used was the product of the untreated and badly affected seed of the 

 year previous, and was perfectly black and unfit for seed or any purpose whatever. 



Three plots of -^ acre each were sown on same day on fallow land — when ripe six 

 feet square of each plot was cut and the heads counted ; the balance of the plot being 

 cut and threshed. 



In the untreated plot the product of the 6 feet square contained only 77 good heads 

 of wheat, while 862 were smutty. The plot yielded 5 bushels 40 lbs. of wheat and smut 

 per acre of which about ^ bushel was sound wheat and the balance smut. The plots 

 treated with bluestone were almost perfectly free from smut, as will be seen in result of 

 test given below. 



While no farmer need or should sow badly affected seed, he may rest assured that, 

 with proper treatment it is perfectly safe to do so. 



In a few localities a little smut has been found the past season. Where such has 

 been the case it has resulted from one of three causes — 1st, using no bluestone — 2nd, 

 bluestone used, not very good, or 3rd, not using sufficient water to wet every particle 

 of the wheat treated. In all probability the latter was the principal cause. Not less 

 than 1| pails water should be used to 10 bushels wheat with 1 lb. bluestone. 



ACRE PLOTS. 



Nine sorts were sown on the same day on acre plots of fallow land, clay loam, sown 

 by drill, 1^ bush, per acre. Following is result. 



TEST OF BLUE-STONE FOR SMUT IN SPRING WHEAT. 



