98 



In a '■ Bunted " kernel of wheat the wliole of the farinaceous contents of the 

 grain are destroyed by the invading fungus and their place filled by a black 

 powdery dust — the ripe spores of its reproductive system — sometimes called 

 the fruit. — Bulletin .\o. J, Ccntnil Experimental Funn. 



Smut, or Loose Saiut (Ustihiijo vaibo). Fie. ISc. 



" Smul." or as it is generally called, "Loose Smut," to distinguish it from 

 " Bunt " or •■ Hard Smut," to which it is distinctly related, is very injurious 

 to wheat, barley and e.siiecially oats, in many i)arts of Canada. The scientific 

 name I'xtilaijo is derived from the Latin word ustus, burnt, and the specific 

 name curho means charcoal. Both names refer to the appearance of the spore 

 masses when they are produced in the ear. This disease is not of the same 

 serious nature as hard smut, from tlie fact that the smutted oars are easily 

 observed and can. with a little laliour, be all removed and dcstroved before 



