140 



Planting : The time of planting should be early 

 enough to allow the plants to get a good root systein 

 established before heavy freezes. Where the Hessian 

 fly is present, it is recommended that the planting be 

 postponed until after the first frost. Too early planting 

 may cause the wheat to reach the booting stage before 

 the danger of freezing has passed, but in case the wheat 

 is growing into danger from a late freeze, it may be 

 judiciously grazed in January or February. Do not 

 graze the wheat when the ground is wet nor after the 

 first of March. 



The following dates of planting are suggested, though 

 the planting may.be two weeks earlier or later, depend- 

 ing upon the seasons and other factors: North Alaba- 

 ma, October 10 to November 1; Central Alabama, Nov- 

 ember 1 to 15; South Alabama, November 15 to 30. 



Seed at the rate of four or five pecks per acre may be 

 sowed broadcast and covered with a disk-harrow or 

 some other shallow clutivating implement; or better it 

 may be planted with an ordinary grain drill, if one is 

 available. Planting with a grain drill is desirable, be- 

 cause it saves about one peck of seed per acre as com- 

 pared with broadcast sowing and distributes the ferti- 

 lizer with the wheat, thus economizing labor. The 

 drills plant to a uniform depth and usually results in 

 n more uniform stand. 



All broken and shriveled gi'ains and weed seed 

 should be removed by running the seed through a fan- 

 ning mill. If a fanning mill is not available, the seed 

 may be fanned by dropping it in a current of air. 

 Well cleaned seed has less disease and gives a better 

 stand. 



Treatment for Smnt: The following treatment for 

 slinking smut of wheat is recommended. "Soak seed 

 for 10 to 20 minutes in an open tub containing a solu- 

 tion of \pint of formaldehyde to 40 gallons of water, 

 or use one ounce to 2% gallons. Forty gallons will treat 

 40 bushels. 



Stir vigorously and skim off the refuse and grains 

 rising to the surface. 



After treatment drain off the solution, dry imme- 

 diately and thoroughly, by spreading out the wet seed 

 in a thin layer, and stirring occasionally. 



Disinfect sacks, bins and drills to prevent reinfec- 

 tion."* 



*Car(l 1, E — Seed Treatment for Cereal Smuts, Department of 

 Plant Pathology, Alabama Extension Service, Auburn, Ala. 



