258 GRASSES OF IOWA. 



In Massachusetts the writ-r found it common on Agropyron 

 repens, and it is reported on the same host in Europe by Tubeuf , 

 It is also rep rted on ta'l meadow oat grass and Festuca rubra 

 acd Bromus inermis. Thus far it has only bean observed by me 

 on the wild rye, ElymuH robustus. This species is very common 

 about Ames. It makes its appearance early in June and con- 

 tinues through July. Hundreds of culms are affected. In 

 many cases it is difficult to find a sound leaf in some plac s. 

 The fungus is characterized by linear lead-colored patches, 

 which occur along the veins of the leaves. On drying them 

 the epidermis becomes luptured, exposing the black powdery 

 spores, which have much the same character as the rye smut, 

 measuring 1-3 x 8-12" in diameter. The spores do not germi- 

 nate readily. It is certainly a perennial. The species was first 

 described from European specimens.* 



TREATMENT FOR SMUT. 



All smuts are not amenable to the same treatment, since the 

 manner of entering the host differ.^. In many diseases of plants 

 hygienic methods are of much value, and to some extent these 

 are of value also in smuts. Of course, in the case of corn 

 smut, much can be dore by removing the smutted portions of 

 the plant, and rotation of crops should always be practiced. 

 Though this will destroy but a small portion of the smut, it is 

 helpful. Use care in seed selection— the seed should be free from 

 smut. In the way of treating the seed, two methods have been 

 in vogue — hot water and the chemical treatment. The latter 

 has been in vogue for a long time, especially the method of 

 treatment with blue stone. For full accounts Swingle 'sf papers 

 should be consulted. 



Formalin. — During recent years much has been said about 

 formalin as an antiseptic as well as a disinfectant. Experi- 

 ments made by Closet and Bolley§ indicate that it is valuable 

 to prevent stinking smuts, as well as loose smut of oats. It is 

 used at the rate of one pound to fifty to sixty gallons of water, 

 and the seed soaked two hours. The 40 per cent solution 

 should be used. The strong solution is poisonous; the diute 

 solution is not dangerous. A one per cent solution gave good 

 results. 



*Uredo Agropyri. Preuss In Klotzsch Kabli. Herb. Myc. 1(>96. 



Urocyatia Aaropyri (Preuss) Schr. Brandu. II. Restp. Schl. 7. 



tYearbook C S. Dept. Agrl. 1894: 415. 



Farmers' Bull. Office of Exp. Station. U. S. Dept, Agrl. 75. 



?Rep. N. Y. Agrl. P:xp. Sta. 16. 294. 1897. 



§Bull. North. Dak. Agrl. Exp. Sta. 27. 



