82 PROTECTION OF PLANTS — 1923-24 



In 1923, Frascr and Simmonds at the University of Saskatchewan, reported 

 that no seed injury resulted from the use of copper carbonate. 



Tisdale et al., in 1924, came to the conclusion that with either a water or 

 lime-water dip, after formaldehyde treatment, a greater part of the injury was 

 prevented. With barlej-, and oats, the organic mercury compounds were found 

 to improve the germination and yields, as well as the control of the smut. 



Methods of Experimentation. 



In the studies carried on to determine the injury to seed oats after smut 

 disinfection the following varieties of oats were used, having the stated per- 

 centages of hull. 



Hulled oats. Percentage Hull. 



Banner, 4407 M.C 30 . 18 



O.A. C.72 27.04 



Alaska (G) 22.00 



Hull -less oats. 



Liberty, Ottawa 480. 



For the purpose of comparison with the oats, as to amount and type of 

 injury produced, the Marquis variety was used in many of the experiments. 



The disinfectants used in the different studies were formalin (40 per cent 

 solution), copper carbonate and Uspulun. These were obtained from the 

 Department of Botany, Macdonald College, Qu4. 



The germination tests were carried out, either in the Botanical laboratory 

 at room temperature, (17-20 C), or in the greenhouse. The seed was placed 

 to germinate, on sand, in sand, or in soil. 



Seed lots, of 45 grams, approximately 1-10 of a pound, were usually used 

 for treatment as well as for controls. From each seed lot, two, 100 seed samples 

 were used for the germination tests. The percentage of germination was counted 

 at least three times, the last count being made on the tenth day after planting. 



Effect of Varying Strengths of Formalin Solutions. 



In order to determine the relation between the strength of solution and 

 the amount of injury produced by formalin treatment, the following experiment 

 was undertaken. Seven strengths of solution were used; one pint of formalin 

 to 60 gallons of water (1 :60), one pint of formalin to 50 gallons of water (1 :50), 

 one pint of formalin to 40 gallons of water (1:40), one pint of formalin to 30 

 gallons of water (1:30), one pint of formahn to 20 gallons of water (1:20), one 



