42 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



and develop minute thread-like growths, which find their way through the tissues of 

 the young wheat plant, and multiply in the sap. Later in the season a proportion 

 of the kernels in the head will be found to have their normal contents entirely 

 consumed, to have become unnaturally swollen and the interior filled with a black 

 mass of smut spores. These altered and swollen kernels are commonly known 

 as " smut balls." Full particulars of the life history of this species of smut will be 

 found in bulletin No. 3 of the Experimental Farm series, prepared by Mr. Jas. 

 Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist. 



REMEDY. 



Dissolve one pound of bluestone (copper sulphate) in a pailful and a half of 

 water (about three gallons) and sprinkle the solution on ten bushels of seed wheat, 

 previously spread in a tight wagon box, or on a clear floor space in barn or house, 

 keeping the grain constantly stirred while the solution is being applied, and mixing 

 the whole thoroughly so that every kernel of the wheat may be wetted. In a very 

 few hours the seed will be in good condition to sow with the drill. A good plan is 

 to apply the treatment in the evening and sow the grain the following morning. If 

 the water be used warm and the lumps of bluestone be broken, the solution may be 

 made in a few minutes. As the solution of bluestone lessens in some degree the 

 germinating power of wheat, and more so when it remains long in contact with it, 

 the safe plan is to treat the seed but a short time before sowing. 



In the tests which have been carried on with this remedy for the past three 

 years at the Experimental Farms at Brandon and Indian Head, the worst smutted 

 samples procurable have been selected for sowing, and the results have shown, by 

 comparing the crop from the treated with that from the untreated grain, that this 

 remedy is thoroughly efficient. It is also easy of application, and its cost is trifling ; 

 usually about one cent per bushel of seed. 



It has been often observed that a smutty crop will sometimes result when good 

 clean seed has been sown. This is believed to arise from smut spores in the soil 

 coming in contact with the grain when germinating. As millions of these spores 

 are spread in all directions by wind during the period of threshing and carried long 

 distances, there are doubtless large numbers of them in the soil in all the wheat 

 gi'owing districts of the country. Hence it is much safer to treat all seed before 

 sowing, whether it is perceptibly smutty or not, as the coating of bluestone on the 

 treated grain will protect the seed from attack by spores in the soil. 



Having thoroughly satisfied ourselves of the efficacy and reliability of this 

 remedy, and of the importance of its general use, we would strongly recommend 

 that all seed during the coming season be treated in accordance with the directions 

 here given, believing that every settler who acts on this advice will realize an 

 increased crop, which will bring a higher price, and he will also assist in raising the 

 standard of quality of the wheat grown in Manitoba and the North-west Territories 

 to one of uniform excellence. 



WM. SAUNDEES, 

 Director Expermental Farms, Ottawa. 



S. A. BEDFOED, 

 Supt. Experimental Farm, Brandon, Man. 



ANGUS MACK AY, 

 Supt. Experimental Farm, Indian Head, JS^.W.T. 



The Winnipeg Board of Trade also issued a circular on this subject, and the 

 press generally commented on the necessity .of farmers everywhere using this 

 remedy, so that this evil might be lessened, and if possible, stamped out. The re- 

 sults have been most gratifying ; many tons of bluestone were bought and used in 

 the manner directed, and the crop of this year is said to be almost entirely free from 

 smut. As a pi-ecautionary measure this method of treating the wheat should be 

 continued for several years. 



