EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK-PART X. 



633 



The following table shows the comparative results obtained in 1907 

 in 40 fields, 20 of which were treated and 20 not treated. 



The average of the 80 fields given above shows tliat the treated 

 fields have an average of 0.5 percent smut while those that were not 

 treated have more than ten times that amount (5.9 per cent) or an 

 actual loss of 5.4 per cent of the crop. This means a loss of 1.6 

 bushels per acre when it would have cost but 8 cents per acre for 

 treatment. "When this is figured up to a 40-acre field we find the farmer 

 has sold 64 bushels of oats for about $3.00. 



The formalin treatment for smut in oats is inexpensive. It is given 

 in detail in Bulletin 89, la. Exp. Station, which may be had on application. 



PREPARATION OF THE SEED. 



This is a much neglected operation, in fact, the practice very gen- 

 erally carried on is not to first prepare the seed bed before the oats are 

 put in, but rather to sow the grain, then disc and harrow that the seed 

 may be covered. 



This will be shown by the following table which has been compiled 

 from answers received by the Department of Soils to a circular letter 

 sent out to the farmers of Iowa in 1905, inquiring as to the preparation 

 of the seed bed. Four hundred and fifty-two replies were received: 



3.4 per 



3.5 per 

 21.4 per 

 71.7 per 

 13.3 per 

 16.7 per 

 70. per 



9.2 per 

 11. per 



cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 

 cent 



Put oats on other than stalk grounds 



Raked and burned corn stalks 



Broke stalks 



Neither broke, harrowed nor burned stalks 



Disced ground before sowing the oats 



Disced both before and after sowing 



Disced after sowing oats 



Harrowed both before and after sowing 



Harrowed ground before sowing 



