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__. trate its tissues. One writer suggests feeding to pigs; but this should 
' never be done, for if the smut does not injure the pigs the spores 
_ will pass through the intestines without injury to themselves and 
infect the manure. 
> Farmers will urge that they can not aiford the time or money neces- 
sary to cut out the smut. In answer to this objection Professor Bes- 
sey makes the following estimate:* 
A 40-acteé field should produce at least $800 worth of corn. There is rarely less 
- than one smutty ear to one square tod. This amount would be 2 per cent. of the 
- crop and would be worth $16. Each additional smutty ear per square rod destroys 
$16 worth of corn in the field. Will it not pay to save annually a loss of 2 per cent. 
: on — and occasionally a loss of 15 to 25 per cent., $120 to $200, for a field of 
is size 
__ Selection of seed.—Much may be gained by selecting for seed the 
- largest and most perfectly developed grains. Experiments have 
_~ shown that this will insure a larger yield, and it is 180 true [?] that 
corn from such seed is less liable to suffer fromsmut. Weak plants 
ean offer less resistance to the attack of the fungus, as a weak man 
can less effectively resist disease.. Thrifty plants ean better with- 
stand the smut if it gains entrance, and are more likely to escape its 
entrance, because they more quickly pass the stage at which the smut 
' is known to enter them. 
Application of remedies.—Any outward application to the growing 
— corn would be useless if it could be made, because the fungus is en- 
tirely within the tissues of the host until after the damage is done. 
Various applications have been tried to destroy spores adhering to 
grains. They have been made for this ptirpose t0 wheat, and 
there is no apparent reason why aremedy whould not be as effectual 
‘in one case as the other. It seems to be generally agreed that lime 
water is not effective. A weak solution (? per cent.) of sulphuric 
acid is recommended for corn by some German experimenters. : 
_ Copper sulphate (blue vitriol) has been most used and with good 
results. One experimenter with copper sulphate for Corn smut re- > 
~ cords that no perceptible benefit was gained. If he fertilized the field - 
with manure in any way infected by smut spores, which is not un- 
likely, it would be a sufficient reason to explain the failtire. The 
method of application which prevails in Europe differs from the 
+ American method. The former is fully described by Sorauer in his 
work on plant diseases. He recommends a weak solution and long 
soaking; a4per cent. solution of sulphate of copperand sixteen hours 
soaking he considers best... The solution should cover the corn deoply 
ehough so that none shall be exposed when the latter swells, and the 
‘mass should be stirred well and all the grains that float skimmed off. 
i Sorauer states that a1 per cent. solution kills 4 per cont. of the 
~~ seedintwelvetosixteenhours. Aftersoaking, the grainis spreadout — 
on a flat surface to dry, and it should be sown soon afterwards. It 
is dry enough for hand sowing in a few hours and for the drill in 
twenty-four hours, 3 
‘The practice in America is quite different. Strong solutions are 
-used and the grain is immersed only a short time. The following 
desctiptions of the process as applied to wheat are by men who have 
had practical experience and know how to make the treatment ef- 
fective: 
~ 
* Bulletin Iowa Agricultural College, 1884; p. 129. 
Hs ey fee sah a re be v eos pen “By J ihe ee pee . 5 . ASS oe 
- SECTION OF VEGETABLE PATHOLOGY. == 3887) 
