CEREAL PESTS PARASITIC FUNGI 523 



kling can. The grain is then shoveled over as quickly as 

 possible, forming another heap, and back again, until every 

 grain is .evenly wetted. The grain should not be drenched 

 but evenly moistened. It is afterward spread out to dry. 



The solution of formalin for sprinkling is prepared in 

 the same proportion as that for dipping. The sprinkling 

 is done in the same manner as in the use of copper sulfate. 

 The pile is left for 2 or 3 hours, covered with sacks, 

 and then spread out to dry. Forty gallons of the solution 

 will sprinkle about 40 bushels of grain. 



566. Steeping in hot water. The hot-water treatment 

 is cheap and effective, but requires more care than the 

 treatment with chemicals, and, therefore, with this 

 method the careless farmer is likely to injure his grain. 

 Nevertheless, it has one great advantage over the other 

 methods in that no chemicals are necessary, and there is 

 no risk of injury to the crop such as might follow the use 

 of a chemical not of standard strength. Everything is 

 under the farmer's control, but he must have a reliable 

 thermometer. 



All smut balls must be removed, as in other treatments. 

 Two tubs or half barrels are used for holding the hot 

 water, marked No. 1 and No. 2. The water in No. 1 

 is kept at a temperature of 125-130, but no higher; 

 that in No. 2 at a temperature between 130 and 135. 

 No variation from these temperatures should be per- 

 mitted. A supply of very hot water (or of steam) and of 

 cold water must be always available. The temperature 

 in the tub is raised by adding hot water or using a steam 

 jet, and lowered by adding cold water. The water must 

 be stirred, while adding either hot or cold water, in order 

 to have all of the water at the same temperature. The 

 temperature must not go above 135 nor below 125. 



