iJ-1 General Trcatmcitt for Smuti,. 



It is to be noted that the solution of bluestone is always of the same 

 strength as when first prepared, no matter how much of it has been used up 

 in dipping or in coating the grain. It becomes, of course, reduced in quantity, 

 and if exposed to the hot sun for several days, it would become more concen- 

 trated, but under ordinary circumstances the standard solution remains 

 constant in its proportion of bluestone to water. 



If more convenient the seed may be pickled on the barn floor by sprinkling 

 the solution over it and thoroughly turning over the seed until all the grains 

 are completely wetted. 



The corrosive action of the bluestone on the grain is generally very in- 

 jurious, and this can be largely prevented by the use of lime. It may be 

 pointed out that the copper sulphate or bluestone is gradually decomposed 

 by the lime, and acting chemically upon the soil renders certain substances 

 available as plant food. The treated seed, while wet, may be sprinkled with 

 air-slaked lime, but this interferes with its ready passage through the seed drill. 

 As an alternative the treated seed may be transferred to lime-water. On? 

 pound of freshly-slaked lime in 8 gallons of water gives full strength after 

 standing one hour, and traces of alum or sulphate of magnesia increase the 

 solubility of the lime slightly. The grain is stirred in this solution for a few 

 minutes, then dried preparatory to sowing. An objection to the lime-water 

 treatment is that the film of bluestone coating the seed is removed, and the 

 grain is afterwards easily re-infected by stray spores or broken bunt-balls in 

 the drill, unless due precautions have been taken. 



Formalin Treatment.* 



Formalin is the trade name given to a solution in water of a colourless 

 pungent gas known as formaldehyde, and the solution ordinarily used con- 

 tains .36 to 4:0 per cent, of the gas. One pound of formalin (16 ozs. avoir- 

 dupois) of the above strength is added to 40 gallons of water, and the seed is 

 i;nmers:!d in this solution for five minutes, shaking and moving it about 

 sufficiently to insure the wetting of all the grains. The bunt-balls are also 

 skimmed off as before, or the seed may be pickled on the floor by sprinkling 

 the solution over it at the rate of about 1 gallon to each bushel of grain. It 

 is well turned over while being sprinkled so as to get thoroughly wet, and 

 after being in a pile for two hours, it is ready to be planted in the case of 

 wheat, but in the case of oats and barley the damp grain may be allowed 

 to remain over night, in order to allow the formalin to penetrate the husk. 

 Wheat treated with formalin should be sown within 24 hours of treatment 

 in a seed bed moist enough to insure germination in order to obtain the best 

 results. 



In a farmers' Press Bulletin issued in 1*,K)4 by the North Dakota Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station relating to " The effect of evaporation upon solu- 

 tions of formaldehyde " such questions are asked as — Must the solution 

 which is made up for treating seed grain all be used up the same day ? Will 

 it grow weaker from standing \ Must a new lot of solution be made up each 

 day % Does the standard formalin lose strength if left uncorked % 



The results of special tests showed that solutions of formaldehyde grow 

 stronger by evaporation, the water being given off faster than the gas. A 

 solution, therefore, which has stood open for a number of days is fully as 

 strong as when first made. While this is so, and the water and methyl alcohol 

 or wood spirit of the solution evaporate first, leaving the formaldehyde, which 



* By the new industry of wood distillation, Messrs. Cuming, Smith, and Co. are producing formalin at 

 Warbuiton, and can provide 1-lb. bottles of 40 per cent, strength (same as Schering's) at Is. 6d. |ier 

 lb., packages free. 



