218 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF GROWING PLANTS. 



Fig. 43. Fig. 44. Fig. 45. Fig. 46. 



770. Quicklime, common salt, blue and white copperas, 

 and many similar substances, have been used with success 

 to prevent smut. A sort of solution or pickle is formed 

 of one or more of these substances, as lime and salt, lime 

 and Glauber s salt, salt and copperas, the object being to 

 make a compound corrosive enough to destroy the para 

 sitic fungus without destroying the grain. Very strong 

 putrid urine, or the (framings of the stable, are sometimes 

 sufficient. 



771. Before soaking the seed in any pickle or brine 

 formed of the above-named substances, it should be 

 thoroughly washed and cleansed in pure wnter, taking 

 care to remove all floating grains, and to pour off the 

 \v;iti!r without allowing it to come in contact with other 

 grain, so as to convey the disease by contagion. 



