April IS, I9I9 Seed Disinfection by Formaldehyde Vapor 39 



seeds are sound, whereas the untreated checks seldom fail to develop 

 several colonies. 



The work thus far necessarily has been limited to a few fungi and a 

 few seeds, but there is an almost unlimited field here that needs investiga- 

 tion if efficient and satisfactory results are to be obtained in the disinfec- 

 tion of seeds. 



CONCLUSION 



1. The use of liquids for disinfection is unsatisfactory for many kinds 

 of seeds. 



2. A number of species of fungi and bacteria are killed when treated 

 for 2 hours with 20 ounces of formaldehyde vaporized under the condi- 

 tions described. 



3. This same treatment is not injunous to any of the seeds tested. 



4. The experiments completed indicate that the formaldehyde gas 

 treatment described is a very efficient means of seed disinfection. 



