610 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



Numerous experiments have been conducted with formalin, 

 but as yet there is no uniformity in the results or recommenda- 

 tions. The solutions recommended vary from one pint of for- 

 malin to 25 to 50 gallons of water, the most common formula 

 being one pint to 40 gallons. In addition recommendations in- 

 clude dipping and sprinkling of the solution, the grain to be 

 either seeded directly or covered for various periods ot time — 

 from two to ten hours or more. To arrive at some definite and 

 satisfactory method has been the purpose of this investiga- 

 tion.. While one year's data are not conclusive it will indicate 

 the possibilities of certain methods and act as a guide for further 

 experimentation. 



In these experiments twenty-two bushels cf Kherson oats were 

 used for the tests. Practically a half gallon of smut spores 

 were thoroughly mixed with the oats to insure infection. How- 

 ever, it later developed that the spores were not as virile as was 

 expected — the checks only showed an average of 1.83 per cent 

 smut. One-half bushel, by measure, of the infected oats were 

 used for each test. The container used in treating the oats 

 was a large galvanized iron pan five inches deep and four by 

 five and one-half feet in area. This was large enough to permit 

 spreading and shovelling the oats. The container was cleaned 

 out after each treatment. 



After treating the oats were removed and piled on a muslin 

 sheet about six feet square, the ends of which were pulled over 

 the pile and tucked in around the base thus providing a good 

 cover. Each pile was tagged stating the nature of the treat- 

 ment, the time, and the various periods at which samples should 

 be secured for a germination test. 



About one pound of oats from each treatment were used for 

 the germination test. In each instance the sample was secured 

 from the center of the pile. These were taken at stated periods 

 — time of treatment ; end of first and second hours ; and there- 

 after in two-hour periods, up to twelve hours. The sample was 

 placed upon a clean table until dry. then sacked in a paper bag. 

 after which it was stored for a period of one and one-half weeks. 

 when germination tests were made. 



In the germination tests duplicates were run in every case 

 and tlie average of the two was recorded. Should the duplicate 

 vary to any marked degree a new test was made of the sample. 



