OATS 



223 



The formalin treatment is an efficient remedy, and on a 

 given farm will prevent serious loss if the seed oats are 

 treated every second or third season. The necessity of 

 this treatment is indicated by the statement that the 

 annual loss in the United States 

 due to the disease has been esti- 

 mated at nearly $20,000,000. 



Not infrequently the Stem Rust 

 of Oats does a great deal mere 

 damage in a given region than 

 the Smut. This is similar to the 

 Stem Rust of Wheat, having both 

 a black and a red stage and is 

 most destructive in wet seasons. 

 The selection of resistant or early 

 maturing varieties is the only 

 method of prevention. In the 

 southern states the kind called 

 Texas Rust-proof is the most re- 

 sistant, while in the north the 

 White Russian has a similar 

 reputation. 



The growing crop of oats is subject to attack by 

 Chinch bugs, army worms, and various other grain and 

 grass-feeding insects, but there are few special insects 

 affecting oats. 



