Colorado Plant Diseases 
91 
been soaking for four hours into this one, move up and down several 
times and keep immersed for 15 to 20 minutes. 
4. In the meantime, the third barrel should be prepared in a 
similar manner with water at exactly 129 degrees F. When the 
grain has been in the second barrel for 15 or 20 minutes remove and 
place in this barrel with water at 129 degrees F. The temperature 
of the water will be lowered when the grain is put in. If it falls 
below 122 degrees F., add a little water from a sprinkling can. 
The grain should remain in this barrel exactly ten minutes and the 
water should be kept between 124 degrees F. and 127 degrees F. It 
should never rise above 129 degrees F. 
5. After ten minutes take the bags out and drain them thor- 
oughly. Spread the grain out in a thin layer and allow to dry. The 
drying process may be speeded up by frequent shoveling over or 
stirring with a wooden rake. The grain may be planted as soon 
as dry enough to run freely thru the drill. If it is planted before 
it is thoroughly dry, the increase in weight from the water absorbed 
must be compensated for by planting a little more than the usual 
amount per acre. Care should be taken not to expose the grain to 
freezing temperature while still w^et. 
The above treatment when properly carried out will effectively 
control not only the loose smuts of wheat and barley, but any of the 
smuts affecting the small grains. On account of the difficulty in 
applying the treatment it is recommended that only a small lot of 
grain be treated and that this be planted in a small seed plot isolated 
as far as possible from other grain fields. The seed produced on 
such a seed plot should produce plants free of smut. 
SALTING METHOD FOR REMOVING ERGOT BODIES FROM 
RYE 
Make a 20 per cent brine solution by dissolving 40 pounds of com- 
mon salt in 25 gallons of water. Mix the solution in a large barrel, 
tub or other suitable container. Pour the rye to be cleaned slowly 
into this solution while another person stirs vigorously. The sound 
rye kernels will sink to the bottom while the light kernels and ergot 
bodies will float on the surface. Skim off the ergot bodies and light 
kernels. 
As the specific gravity of grain at different stages of dryness 
varies slightly, different lots of grain will require different strengths 
of solution. If the ergot bodies do not float readily, add more salt 
