336 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



this can at once be accounted for. On the other hand, rust often appears 

 on wheat in the spring, miles from any barberry plants. How can this be 

 accounted for? However it may be accounted for, there can be no ques- 

 tion but that the barberry is unnecessary for the reproduction of the rust, 

 although it may and often does supply one generation in the cycle. 



They certainly develop from spores, and it has been found by experi- 

 ment, that healthy plants can not be inoculated after the seeds have germ- 

 inated. It must be, then, that the germs of the fungus are within the 

 seeds, or upon them, and inoculate the radicle as it emerges from the seed. 

 Long before anything was known of the nature of the disease, farmers 

 discovered that the amount of rust could be greatly decreased, if the seed, 

 before being sown, was soaked in a solution of blue-stone, or copper 

 sulphate. We now know that its action must be on account of its fungi- 

 cidal properties, and therefore it would be a rational remedy were it not 

 for the fact that the blue-stone slightly reduces the germinating qualities 

 of the seed, although its efficiency as a fungicide is so great that it would 

 still be recommended, had we no better remedy. It was found by the 

 Danish investigator, Jensen, that grain soaked in water at 132.5° F. was 

 not injured, and that the germs of rust were so far destroyed that there 

 was no danger of an attack. 



This remedy has been thoroughly tested by Prof. Kellerman of Ohio, 

 and others, and has proven entirely satisfactory. The only care necessary 

 is to have the water as nearly as possible at 132.5°. If much over 135° the 

 vitality of the seed will be destroyed, while below 130° the spores of the 

 fungus will be uninjured. To secure the proper condition, the 

 following method of procedure is recommended: Fill two tubs with water 

 at 132.5°, place a half bushel of grain in a coarse bag, and dip it into one of 

 the tubs, wetting the grain thoroughly, and warming it so that it will not 

 cool the water in the other tub. As soon as the grain is warmed through, 

 immerse it in the other tub and allow it to remain fifteen minutes. It 

 should then be drained and spread out to dry. The water, after being 

 brought to the right temperature each time, can be used over and over 

 again. 



COMBINED INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES. 



For most fungous diseases it is necessary to spray the plants with fun- 

 gicides at intervals of from two to four weeks, during the growing season, 

 and in many cases the same plants need to be sprayed with arsenites for 

 the destruction of their insect pests. 



The thought naturally occurred, that if the insecticides and fungicides 

 could be put on at a single application, the labor would be reduced one 

 half. From the experiments made here, and elsewhere, during the past 

 two years, this seems entirely feasible under certain conditions. It has 

 been feared by some that the chemical changes that would take place if 

 the two were combined, would result in their losing their valuable prop- 

 erties, but this does not seem to be the case. 



From the fact that the arsenic of Paris green is soluble in ammonia, it 

 was also feared that there was danger of burning the foliage if arsenites 

 were used in ammonia containing fungicides. The mixture is more likely 

 to burn than is either substance alone, but we have used the combined 

 insecticides and fungicides, and have found no sign of injury. When used 

 with Bordeaux mixture there is less danger of burning the foliage than 



