Feh. 3, 1908.] Aciricultuml Gazette of N.S.W. 175 



thej' had been thoroughly (h'ied after treatment. It is questionable whetlicr 

 there is any drill on the market which will sow the partially-dried grain 

 without damaging it. 



Unless the grower is tln)roughly prepared to dry his treated seed, it will 

 be I'ar better for him to forego the advantages derived from treating with 

 lime-water, and to use bluestone only, with its attendant disadvantages of 

 seed destroyed and of plants of lessened vigour, for the loss residtin^g from 

 them will be far less than the loss incurred through attempting to drill 

 grain partially dried after its treatment with bluestone and lime-water. 



The result of the trials to determine the value of a mixture of bluestone 

 and lime-water (Bordeaux mixture) as a preventive of smut are not con- 

 clusive enough to warrant its use being recommended. Though more 

 troublesome, the double treatment cannot yet be discarded. 



Growers who intend to use formalin — and it is j^robably a better preven- 

 tive of smut than bluestone — are cautioned against treating the seed until 

 just before it is required, or against using it when the groTUid is too dry for 

 the seed to germinate. 



At the commencement of another season the advantages of the plan sug- 

 gested last year (Agricultural Gazette, March, 1907: "^Seasonable jSTotes"), 

 of growing the seed required for the farm in a special plot, are naore than 

 ever apparent. The adoption, by careful farmers, of the i)lau. then sug- 

 gested is now strongly recommended. There is no doubt as to its practical 

 and economic value. Aj^art from the saving — some 95 per cent. — which 

 must be effected in the cost of treating the seed wheat of the farm for the 

 prevention of smut, its adoption must result in an increased average yield, 

 as the result of planting a better class of seed. To obtain the very best 

 results, the special area set aside should be treated as a stud plot, and should 

 be planted with the best seed obtainable, either from selections made on the 

 farm itself, or purchased from growers who make a specialty of raising 

 seed wheat; just as sheep-men, either by breeding or l)y i)urchase, regularly 

 obtain stud rams to improve their flocks. 



The advantages accruing fr^m the adoption of such a plan are so great 

 that it is believed its adoption by one or more progressive farmers in a 

 district will lead to it becoming general; and when this is brought about, 

 the average wheat-yield of the State will be raised. 



