348 DISEASES OF ECONOMIC PLANTS 



large keg holding at least six times the bulk occupied by the 

 paste, and preferably more. 



Now pour out ten pounds of granulated caustic soda 

 (concentrated 98 per cent lye or caustic potash) and throw 

 it on top of the sulphur-resin paste and stir rapidly and 

 thoroughly with a flat paddle. In a few minutes the paste 

 begins to turn a reddish brown and slowly liquefies and 

 in a few seconds turns into a deep brown liquid and boils 

 violently. It should be stirred all the time, and after a min- 

 ute or so it will cease boihng. Hot water should then be 

 added slowly with stirring until the solution is brought up 

 to a six-gallon mark previously made on the inside of the 

 barrel. 



This constitutes the stock Sar solution. It should be 

 allowed to stand a few moments, until any dirt or uncom- 

 bined sulphur has settled to the bottom, and then dipped 

 off and stored in jugs, tightly corked. The mixture can be 

 preserved for months without deterioration. Only a few 

 ounces of the sulphur will remain in the barrel if the solu- 

 tion has been properly prepared. 



One fourth of the above formula can be made in a candy 

 pail as shown in Fig. 148. This gives 1} gallons of stock 

 solution, or enough for 75 gallons of the solution ready for 

 use, in which the grain is soaked for two hours. 



The oats or wheat should first be thrown into water, and 

 any smut balls which float should be skimmed off, stirring 

 the grain to be sure that all the smut balls come to the top. 

 The water may then be drained ofT and the grain treated 

 with well-shaken Sar solution, 1 quart to 50 gallons of water. 

 This should be stirred well in a barrel, then poured over the 

 grain until it is covered several inches deep, stirring so that 



