igo6.] 



Prevention of Smut. 



289 



There are three recognized methods of treating seed-grain for 

 the prevention of bunt and smut,* viz., sprinkHng with a solution 

 _ , . of bluestone or copper sulphate, or with a 



Another method is mentioned in a Farmers' Bulletin (No. 250), 

 issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, which is 

 called the " Sar Treatment." The solution employed is stated to 

 be easily prepared, cheap, capable of being kept for any length of 

 time, and if properly applied to be completely effective. It is 

 made by thoroughly mixing 15 lb. of flowers of sulphur with 

 ^ lb. of powdered resin, to which is added, little by little, about 

 6h quarts of water till the whole is in the form of a thick paste ; 

 10 lb. of dry powdered (98 per cent.) caustic soda (concentrated 

 lye) should then be stirred in vigorously while the whole mass 

 turns reddish brown and boils violently. Enough hot water is 

 added to bring the solution up to 6 gallons. This stock solution 

 should be kept in tightly-corked bottles and should be well 

 shaken before being used. 



The seed-wheat is treated with Sar solution as follows : — 

 Either i quart of the solution is diluted with 50 gallons of water 

 and the grain soaked therein for about twelve hours, or else a 

 strong solution (i gallon of the stock to 50 gallons of water) 

 is used and the grain soaked for only two hours. In either case 

 the grain must be stirred several times during the treatment, 

 and spread out to dry afterwards. If the grain contains much 

 smut, it should first be washed with water, in order to skim off 

 the smut balls before it is put in the Sar solution to soak. 



In making the solution it is important that too much water 

 should not be added to the resin and sulphur, but only just 

 enough to make a stiff paste. This paste should be made in a 

 barrel or large keg holding at least six times the bulk of the paste, 

 as when the caustic soda is added it boils violently for a minute 

 or two, and will run over the sides of the vessel unless it is of 

 ample size. Before making the paste, 6 gallons of water should 

 be measured into the barrel and the level of the water accurately 

 marked, so that when the material is mixed the exact quantity 

 of water may be added. 



Prevention 

 of Smut. 



solution of formalin, or by the hot-water 

 system of Jensen. 



* See Leaflet No. 92. 



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