RYE 183 



171. Fungous diseases and insect enemies. — The most 

 common as well as the most harm.ful fungous disease of rye is 

 ergot. The spores of ergot enter the ovule when the plant is in 

 bloom, gradually develop, replacing the ovule, and when mature, 

 the growth from them is several times longer than the seed. 

 The decrease in yield of grain due to ergot is slight, the chief 

 injury from it being the ill effects produced on live stock that 

 consume grain infested with it. The only remedy is to remove 

 from the field before cutting the heads that are affected by it. 

 Many of the grasses and occasionally wheat are also affected by 

 ergot. Rye is less seriously troubled with insects than wheat, 

 and little or no difficulty is usually experienced with them. 



