1921.] Prevention of " Bunt " in Wheat. 



1019 



would be equally effective with the one already employed. For 

 this experiment the seed from the plots grown in 1919 was 

 collected and thoroughly mixed. Samples were taken and 

 treated as in the previous season,, together with a fifth sample 

 that was treated with formalin at a concentration of 1 part in 

 320 parts of water (i.e., at the rate of one pint to 10 gal. of water). 

 Ten plots each 30 ft. by 14 ft. were marked out for the experi- 

 ment so that each sample could be sown on duplicated plots. 



As the total quantity of corn from the plots grown in 1919 was 

 not great the threshing had been done by hand, and in conse- 

 quence many of the " bunted " grains remained unbroken. 

 These " bunted " grains were not separated out. The success 

 of the sprinkling method of treatment as shown in the results 

 given below, calls for remark since it is generally assumed that 

 when such unbroken " bunted " grains are present in the corn, 

 submersion of the seed in the fungicidal solution is necessary in 

 order that the diseased grains may float to the surface and be 

 skimmed off. 



At the time of sowing, samples of the treated and untreated 

 seed were again sent to the Seed Testing Station and the follow- 

 ing report on germination was received: — 



Method of Treatment. 



Percentage of 

 Germination. 



Sample 1 1 per cent, copper sulphate 96 



v 2 2*5 „ „ „ „ 82 



3 Formalin 1:240 86 



4 „ 1:320 88 

 „ 5 Untreated 92 



When the seedling wheat plants were a few inches high some 

 difference in the vigour of the plants of the various plots could 

 be detected, and in February, 1920. Mr. J. H. Mattinson 

 examined the plots and reported on their condition (without 

 knowing the history), as follows : — 



Normal forward crop ; best plant . . . Plot 5 (One of the two 



control plots). 



A thin rather weak plant Plots 3 and 8 (formalin 



1 : 240). 



The crops of the other plots were intermediate between the 

 above and practically indistinguishable except Plot 9 (formalin 

 1 : 320i which though slightly better than Plots 3 and 8 was not 

 so good as the rest. 



These observations suggest that the formalin treatment has 

 an adverse influence on the vigour of the seedling wheat plants, 

 but further observations are necessary before definite conclusions 



