VIII. RESULTS WITH OAT SMUT IN 1897.* 



C. p. CLOSE. 



SUMMARY. 



In the experiments conducted by the author in 1897 Ceres 

 powder, lysol, formalin and potassium sulphide were compared 

 with the Jensen hot water treatment for the prevention of oat 

 smut. 



Sprinkling the seed with a 1 per cent solution either of lysol or 

 formalin entirely prevented smut. The seed which was sprinkled 

 with solution of potassium sulphide varying in strength from 

 1 per cent to 5 per cent gave from 0.6 per cent to 1 per cent of 

 smutted heads. Ceres powder used in the same strength was 

 even less effective, as the seed treated with it gave from 1 per 

 cent to 2.9 per cent of smutted heads. 



In the experiments in soaking seed, the treatments which en- 

 tirely prevented smut are: 0.3 per cent lysol, seed soaked 1 hour; 

 0.2 per cent formalin, seed soaked 1 hour; 2 per cent potassium 

 sulphide, seed soaked 1.5 hours; and 4 per cent Ceres powder, 

 seed soaked 0.5 hour. 



The hot water treatment kept the crop wholly free from smut. 



None of the above treatments injured the seed. 



For sprinkling one bushel of seed one gallon of the solution 

 is required. A gallon of 1 per cent solution of lysol costs 5 

 cents. The same amount of 1 per cent formalin solution will 

 cost 4 cents. 



In soaking a bushel of oats one hour about one and four-fifths 

 gallons of solution will be absorbed. This amount of 0.3 per cent 

 lysol solution will cost 2.7 cents, a like amount of 0.2 per cent 

 formalin solution will cost 1.4 cents, of 2 per cent potassium sul- 

 phide 5.4 cents and of 4 per cent Ceres powder 39.6 cents. 



• Reprint of BuUetin No. 131. 



