90 PRITECTIOX OF PLANTS — 1923-24 



The beneficial effect of the milk of lime dip was more pronounced as the 

 strength of the formalin solution increased. There appeared to be a greater 

 development of the root system of the limed seed, than of the unlimed seed. 



Although there was little difference between the percentages of germina- 

 tion, of the oats planted in the dry and wet soil, it is possible that there would 

 be a greater reduction in the germination of the seed planted in the dry soil if 

 the moisture content had been maintained at 8.5 per cent for a longer time. 

 This is evidenced by results in the field when seeding time is ver}- drj^ as in 

 May 1923. 



EFFECT OF DRY STORAGE AFTER TREATMENT. 



It is often found convenient, and sometimes necessarj', to store oats for a 

 period before planting. This may be carried out in order to save time in the 

 busy season, or it may be necessarj- because of weather conditions not being 

 favorable for planting immediately after the seed has been treated. This prac- 

 tice has been considered doubtful, on account of reports of cases of seed injury 

 occurring when seed was stored. 



Samples of seed were taken in the usual manner, and dipped in a solution 

 of formalin, 1 pint to 40 gallons, for 10 minutes. After being drained, and cove- 

 red for an hour, they were spread out to dry at room temperature. When dry, 

 two, 100 seed samples of each variety were placed to germinate on the top of 

 moist sand, in flats, in the laborator3\ Each succeeding week, samples were 

 taken and germinated in the usual manner. The seed was stored in open flgsks 

 in the laboratory, at room temperature. 



As a result of this experiment, it was noted that the hulled varieties of 

 oats were not injured by storage for a period of nine weeks. The Liberty oats 

 and the Marquis wheat, however, were injured to a marked degree when stored 

 only for one week. This injury increased until after four weeks storage, when 

 the percentage of germination was slightly better. 



The writer is of the opinion that the hulled varieties can be stored, after 

 treatment with formalin, provided the}- are dry. This was observed to be the 

 case in later experiments, when the seed was treated with different must treat- 

 ments, and stored for a period of ten months. Ihe Liberty oats appear to be 

 too sensitive to formalin to allow being stored after treatment. 



Comparison of the Effects of Different Smut Treatments. 



The purpose of the following experiment was to determine and compare 

 the effects of different smut treatments for oats on germination, with special 

 reference to seed injury. 



