28 BROOM-CORN CULTURE 



The pile is then covered with cloth or canvas for 

 about two hours ; the covering is then removed and 

 the grain stirred at intervals by shoveling over to 

 dry it. It is then ready to plant at any time. 



In handling treated grain do not get it again 

 smutted. The shovel, the drill, the grain bags and 

 any other portions of floor used should be sterilized 

 by use of the formalin solution. The bags may be 

 soaked in it for half an hour and the others treated 

 by sprinkling. 



If preferred, the bags of grain may be dipped in the 

 formalin solution contained in a suitable vessel ; 

 after thorough immersing the bags should be left in 

 the formalin for 10 minutes, then withdrawn, the 

 grain allowed to stand 2 hours in the bags and then 

 spread to dry on a sterile surface. 



A less convenient method, but just as effective to 

 kill smut, is to dip the bags of grain for 10 minutes 

 in hot water at a temperature of 133 degrees Fahren- 

 heit, then dry on sterilized surface. 



The chinch bug and the plant louse are the prin- 

 cipal insect enemies of broom-corn. Crop rotation 

 and the cleaning up and burning of all rubbish in the 

 fields and fence rows will usually hold these enemies 

 in check. 



