24 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



conspicuous masses of black, powderj' material or spores. 

 Tliese spores answer the purpose of seed in carrying smut 

 to the next crop of oats. This particular fungus originates 

 from a tiny spore (or particle of black dust) which has 

 found its way during ripening, or harvesting or threshing 

 to the seed grain. The fungus grows in the form of threads 

 through the entire length of the oat plant and finally 

 bears what may be called its fruit or spores at the time of 

 heading. 



To prevent smut, all that is necessary is to destroy the 

 life of the tiny spore that may ha\-e found lodgment 

 on the surface of the seed grain. There are several 

 methods, the simplest and most convenient of which is the 

 formalin treatment, the directions for which follow: — 



For each three gallons of water add one ounce of formalin. 

 With this liquid, wet or thoroughly moisten the seed, either by 

 dipping the sacks of grain or by thoroughly sprinkling the seed 

 while it is being stirred. Then leave the damp seed in a pile 

 for at least two hours, covering it meantime with a sheet, or 

 old carpet, which has also been dipped in this liquid. The pur- 

 pose in thus covering the pile is to enable the vapors formed 

 by the evaporation of the formalin to completely envelop 

 every seed. Dry the oats before sowing them, and do not let 

 them come in contact i^dth old sacks or floors that ha^e not been 

 disinfected with formalin. 



Another method of entirely pre^-enting smut in oats is 

 by the hot-water treatment : — 



Dip the bags of seed oats into a \-essel of water kept constantly 

 at a temperature of about 13.3° P. and always between 130° and 

 135°. Keep the seed in this hot water for ten minutes. It 

 may then be cooled by being dipped in cold wati>r, or it may be 

 spread out to dry. The temperature of the hot water is most 

 conveniently kept at a constant point by the addition of cold 



