410 The Propagation and Prevention of Smui 
undressed sample). It will be seen from the table, however, 
that, to a certain extent, it preserved the spores from injury, as 
there were a number of smutted ears in the crop. 
Sulphuric Acid. — It was found that when the acid was 
employed of sufficient strength to Irill the spores, it killed a con- 
siderable quantity of the seed-corn as well. 
Lime and Common Salt reduced the smut to one fourth ; but 
this is not sufficient; moreover, the crop was injured in no small 
degree. Probably this was due to the action of the salt. The 
lime was applied in a state of powder in the proportion of half 
a bushel to a quarter of oats. 
The experiments with the chemical agents above mentioned 
were made by pouring the solution on the com in saucers to 
such an extent that rather more solution was used than the 
grain could absorb in twelve hours ; the grain was frequently 
turned, so as to ensure all parts of it being brought into contact 
with the solution. 
Disinfection by Heat. — ^Dry heat for seven hours did not 
diminish the blight, but heating in moist air for five hours 
completely killed the spores, but also injured the seed-corn. 
Heating the seed-corn in water for only five minutes at 133° F. 
entirely protected the crops from smut and did not injure the 
oats at all. Immersing the seed in water at 127° F. for five 
minutes reduced the bCght to such an extent (1 : 72) as to be 
sufficient for all practical ptirposes. But more than this, the 
same simple treatment is sufficient for the protection of wheat 
from bunt (T. tritici) ; and from my experiments with barley 
and rye it is evident that they can be by the same simple treat- 
ment protected from their respective smuts. 
These 1887 experiments with oat-smut were so conclusive 
that farther evidence of the disinfecting power of water at a 
temperature of 1?7^ to 133° F. is almost unnecessary. I will 
therefore only give the results of two experiments made on a 
large scale by !Mr. G. F. Jensen on the Rodstenseje farm during 
the present year (1883). Five bushels were dipped in water at 
127° F. and one bushel in water at 133° F. for five minutes each. 
Subjoined is the result : — 
Oats unprotected, out of 4,000 plants .... 294 were smutted. 
Oats dipped for 5 min. in water at 127" Fahr. ; the 
whole crop . • 0 ., „ 
Oats dipped for 5 min. in water at 133r Fabr. : the 
Khole crop 0 „ „ 
Not a single smutted ear could be found in these compara- 
tively large plots of protected oats. 
