THE CORX SMUT 



203 



When one of these spores comes in contact with a 

 drop of water it soon germinates by sending out a little 

 tube, which has the power of developing certain second- 

 ary spores, called sporidia. The sporidia themselves 

 have the power of germinating, under favorable condi- 

 tions, and in a liquid containing sufficient organic mafc- 



FIG. 84. PA1JT OF SMUTTKI) EAK OF C'ORX. 



ter for their nourishment (manure water, for example), 

 they can continue growing and multiplying for an indef- 

 inite period. It is believed, by some authors, that these 

 sporidia may develop in the barnyard, from the spores 

 which find their way to the manure pile, and be carried 



