556 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



found that if left in a tliin layer over night it was ready for' sowing 

 in the morning. 



Instead of sprinkling, dipping may be resorted to. A bushel or 

 ao of seed is placed in a bag and dipped in the solution, taking care 

 that all the grains are thoroughly wetted by shaking the bag and 

 plunging it in and out. In the case of bluestone only a minute or two 

 is necessary for the dipping process, on account of its corrosive action,, 

 but in the case of formalin five minutes were allowed. 



In transferring treated seed from one bag to another care has to 

 be taken that the bags so used are either absolutely new or have been 

 dipped in the solution to destroy any smut in them. 



The result of the treatment was very conclusive. While the 

 untreated plot contained at least 50 per cent, of smut, careful search 

 over the treated plots failed to reveal a single smutty head. Thus 

 both solutions were equally successful in destroying the smut, but it 

 was noticeable that the plot treated with formalin looked much better, 

 and was a little further advanced. Mr. Goldie also informed me that 

 from the very start the formalin plot had a healthier appearance. 



Barley Smut- 



The same treatment was carried out with barley, but on a much 

 larger scale Chevalier barley sown in the beginning of July was 

 treated with formalin, 1 lb. in 40 gals., and a portion left untreated. 

 It was reaped on 21st December, and while on the 20 acres treated 

 not a single smutty ear could be seen, in the untreated portion there 

 was not a single stook in which several smutty ears could not be 

 detected. Mr. Goldie is naturally very pleased with the simplicity 

 and efficacy of the formalin treatment, and will use nothing else in. 

 future. 



Relative Merits of Formalin and Bluestone. 



In comparing the two solutions of formalin and bluestone it must 

 be remembered that formalin is volatile and non-corrosive, while 

 bluestoneis very corrosive ; but the latter solution may be used again and 

 again without becoming exhausted. It follows therefore that only 

 the amount of formalin should be prepared that will be required for 

 immediate use, and sprinkling should be preferred to dipping. The 

 original formalin solution should be kept securely corked. The 

 cost* will be practically the same, and the formalin is less injurious to 

 the grain than bluestone. The corrosive action of the bluestone can 

 be lessened' by dusting powdered lime over the grain immediately 

 after treatment, but this prevents sowing with the drill. The 

 destruction of a certain proportion of the grain is not an unmixed 

 evil, because it will act most injuriously on those already somewhat 

 damaged, and consequently most likely to produce a weakened plant. 



* Formalin, as made by theSchering's Hygienic Company, for which Messrs. Felton, 

 Grimwade and Co., are sole wholesale agents, is packed in one pound original bottles, 

 or can also be supplied in one gallon original bottles, price 2s. per pound, or 16s. per 

 gallon. 



