27 
called spores. These, when subjected to proper conditions, germinate 
by sending out a slender tube upon which small sporidia appear. 
The smut arrives at maturity in case of oats when the latter are in 
bloom, and the spores, blown hither and thither, find their way into the 
dowers. The husks soon close over the young grain, and the spores 
which may have been thereby imprisoned remain dormant until the 
seed is planted in spring. The warmth and moisture cause the spores 
and the oats to germinate simultaneously. The slender tubes emitted 
by the spores now penetrate the delicate oat plants. Thereafter the 
smut plant grows concealed within its host until they both approach 
maturity. At this time the smut spores rapidly develop in the abor¬ 
tive head of oats and the black mass of smut becomes conspicuous. 
It is sometimes claimed that smut in the soil, or in manure applied 
to the soil, will infect the young oat plants. This is certainly not the 
usual mode of infection and it may be doubted whether it ever occurs. 
If the spores inclosed in the husks of the grain can be killed without 
injuring the seed, the smut can be perfectly prevented in the crop. 
This has usually been accomplished by soaking the seed in a solution 
of blue vitriol (copper sulphate). This process though destroying all 
or nearly all the smut, also injures the seed more or less. The hot- 
water method of Professor Jensen has proven thoroughly effectual in 
preventing smut and, besides, is not in the least injurious to the seed. 
In fact, both our own and Jensen’s experiments show yields greater 
than would be expected from the mere prevention of the smut. We 
therefore recommend this treatment, which consists simply in immers¬ 
ing the infected seed in scalding water (132° Fahr.) for not less than 
five nor more than fifteen minutes, and immediately thereafter cooling 
it quickly by immersing in cold water. 
In order to carry out this process satisfactorily when a large amount 
of seed is to be treated, two large vessels must be provided. These 
can be large kettles hung over a fire, or large boilers on a cook-stove. 
One vessel is to contain heated water (about 110° to 120° Fahr.) for the 
purpose of warming the seed preparatory to dipping into the second 
vessel. This second vessel is to contain water at a temperature of 132° 
to 135° F. Were not the seed warmed before dipping into the vessel 
of scalding water the temperature of the latter would be very much re¬ 
duced, perhaps below 130°, and then the treatment would not be 
effectual. The seed, a half a bushel or more at a time, is to be placed 
in a coarsely-woven basket having a lining of wire netting with meshes 
fine enough to prevent the egress of the grains, say, twelve to the inch. 
A heavy wire bushel-basket may be used, or a light iron frame made 
over which the wire netting may be stretched. A lid or cover must be 
provided for, otherwise a portion of the seed will escape upon immer¬ 
sion. A sack made of coarsely woven cloth might be used instead of 
the basket, but it is much less convenient. It is necessary that the 
basket admit the water freely and immediately upon its immersion, 
