QUESTIONS 195 



never injured by smut. It has one peculiar disease known as ergot. 

 The affected grains grow to three or four times normal size and turn 

 black, being filled with black spores. It only rarely does serious 

 injury. Ergot has a medicinal value, but it is dangerous to feed rye 

 containing ergot to farm animals. 



EXERCISE 



Moisture in Grain. Samples of rye and other grains kept under dif- 

 ferent conditions should be studied for moisture content as described in the 

 exercise at the close of Chapter II. Secure samples from open bins, closed 

 bins, newly threshed from stacks or shocks. 



What does the exercise demonstrate as to best conditions of storage? 



QUESTIONS 



1. Where is rye cultivated? 



2. Where is it more important than wheat? 



3. Where cultivated in the United States? 



4. Name the distinguishing characters of the rye plant. 



5. Why can light bread be made from rye or wheat? 



6. Give the types of rye. 



7. What are the best climate and soil for rye? 



8. Describe some rotations where rye is found useful. 



9. Why are rye and vetch good crops for green manure? 



10. Name the season when rye may be sown. 



11. Explain curing of rye straw. 



12. Why is rye straw so valuable? 



13. How important is rye as a bread crop? 



