THE SMUTS 261 



Control. The treatment is very different in the two cases. If 

 the spore is on the surface of the seed, it may be killed with forma- 

 lin; but if the seed is infected internally, a different treatment is 

 necessary. The formalin treatment is very simple and inex- 

 pensive. Select a clean place on the barn floor, and heap the 

 seed grain upon it. Make a solution of formalin at the rate of 1 

 pint of formalin to 50 gallons of water. Use as many gallons of 

 this solution as there are bushels of grain to treat. Shovel the 

 grain over, and at the same time spray the formalin over with a 

 sprinkling pot. Shovel over twice, and then cover two hours 

 or over night with blankets or canvas. Spread out the grain to 

 dry. Make allowance for swelling of the seed at the rate of one 

 peck per acre. When the infection is internal, the hot water process 

 of treatment must be resorted to. Obtain a reliable thermometer, 

 and make arrangements to keep a quantity of water at perfectly 

 uniform temperature. Soak the seed in water at ordinary tem- 

 perature for five to seven hours. Then place it in small loose 

 sacks or wire baskets containing not more than a half peck each, 

 and allow to drain. Provide two tubs or vats, of 30 or 40 gallons 

 capacity, which can be heated, or provide in addition an iron 

 kettle for heating a quantity of water. Heat the water in the 

 two vats to the temperature indicated below. Immerse the 

 drained sacks of seed in tub 1 to remove the chill, then 

 suspend in tub 2 for the indicated length of time. Keep the 

 temperature of tub 2 constant by applying heat or adding 

 small amounts of boiling water. Treat for the indicated time, 

 remove, and dry. 



BARLEY. COVERED SMUT (Ustilago hordei). The covering is thin 

 and easily broken, and when old may resemble loose smut. Seed- 

 ling infection. 



Control. Formalin, as indicated above. 



LOOSE SMUT ( Ustilago nuda). The smutted heads are loose and 

 black from the first. Flower infection. 



Control. Hot water, as indicated above. The temperature of 

 tub 2 should be 127 F., and the seed should be left in fifteen 

 minutes. If the temperature of tub 2 varies slightly from 127, 

 the length of treatment should be lengthened or shortened ac- 

 cordingly as the temperature is below or above that desired. 



