GRAMINEOUS CROPS. 125 



once witiiiiL the tost-plant, the fungus ultimately finds a 

 resting-place in an ear of corn. Within the grains of 

 wheat the bunt spores are produced. 



This fungus (known as "smut balls," " bladder-brand," 

 " stinking smut," etc.) often causes no small amount of 

 damage to our wheat crops. Tilletia tritici rarely attacks 

 barley, but is common on wheat. 



Prevention. — Bunted grains should not be sown or 

 drilled. 



Cure. — (1) As bunted grains often burst among healthy 

 ones, and thereby cover (more or less) the latter with 

 spores, it is advisable for the farmer to " pickle " his seed 

 before drilling. By steeping the seed wheat in a 2 per 

 cent, solution of iron sulphate for three or four hours, the 

 spores of bunt are completely destroyed. (2) A solution 

 of copper sulphate has been recommended for the same 

 purpose ; but it (like many other " steeps " used by agricul- 

 turists) often destroys the germinating properties of the 

 seeds. 



The Fusisporium of Wheat {Fusisporium culmo- 

 rum) attacks the ears of wheat, covering them (more or 

 less) with a pale yellow-coloured myceliu.m. This fungus 

 has a similar life-history to F. hordei (of barley), which 

 has already been described. 



The Spring Rust of Corn {Puccinia rubigo-vera), 

 generally known as the " corn mildew," produces the 

 familiar red spots (" rust ") on the leaves and stems of 

 certain genera of the GraminecB in the spring, and black 

 spots (mildew) in the autumn and winter. The first stage 

 of the life-history of this fungus is termed Uredo rubigo- 

 vera, and the second, or mildew stage, is the Puccinia 

 rubigo-vera. The first, or " rust " stage, is common on 

 cereals and certain grasses in the spring months. If an 



