596 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



its cheapness $1.20 per pound) as compared with potassium 

 sulphide which would cost approximately $3.60 to treat 50 

 bushels. 



In a later publication 1910, the author reduces the water 

 in the solution to 45 gallons. He also recommends that the 

 grain should be soaked or covered for two hours after treatment. 

 Two bushels of dry grain will equal approximately 2 l - 2 bushels 

 after the treatment and due allowance should be made when 

 seeding. 



Arthur (1) in 1691 recommends, after reviewing the litera- 

 ture published by Bolley and after local experiments, that the 

 formalin be used at the rate of one pound to 60 gallons of water. 

 Immerse seed two hours or wet the pile thoroughly and let 

 stand covered in a pile for two hours. 



Goff (25) made first mention of the formalin treatment in 

 1901. After three years of experimenting on various treat- 

 ments and methods of application the formalin treatment was 

 considered efficient. 



The following table shows the effect of the various formalin 

 solutions on the growth of the plants under field conditions. 



THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS FORMALIN SOLUTIONS ON THE 

 GERMINATION, GROWTH AXD YIELD OF OATS. 



Table I. Showing Average Height oe Plants ox Dieeerext Dates. 



Trp „ TTT1pnt Avg. Height | Avg. Height Avg. Height 



1 in mm., May 14 in mm., May 22 in mm., July 30 



Untreated 58l> 133.7 5L6 



Formalin, 1 pint to 5C 



gal. of water 55.4 134.2 50.9 



1 pint to 36 gal. water 63.8 138.7 52.6 



1 pint to 25 gal. water 55.4 124.9 51.3 



1 pint to 10 gal. water 26.2 80.7 54.7 



Table II. Weight of Plants at Harvest. 



Untreated 83.6 lbs. 



Formalin, 1 pint to 50 gal. water 96.7 lbs. 



Formalin, 1 pint to 36 gal. water 82. 7 lbs. 



Formalin, 1 pint to 25 gal. water 82.0 lbs. 



Formalin, 1 pint to 10 gal. water 54.3 lbs. 



The plots were seeded April 29th, a quantity of seed from 

 each lot was planted on well prepared ground with a garden 



