

131 






Av. number Av. number Av. per cent. of 
Plats. panicles. smutty panicles. smut. 
F 549.4 BR 0 
I 510.0 0 0 
E 514.8 9.2 1.78 
N 584.4 13.2 2.25 
M 220.6 17.6 3.38 
L 557.6 19.4 3.47 
J 574.6 23.4 4.07 
K 5874 ° 60 10.21 
H 664.8 80.8 12.15 
G 633.2 104.6 16.51 
A untreated 637.2 181.4 28.81 

Plats F and I produced no smut, while a slight amount 
gradually increasing in the order given, is found in E, N, 
M, L, and J. The three last K, H and G, have a much 
higher percentage. 
The practical value of these experiments, as well as the 
ease with which the remedies tried can be adopted on a 
large scale, are worthy of consideration. Copper sulphate 
can be purchased at retail for about 15 cents per pound and 
its use is attended with very little trouble. Seed soaked 
17 1-2 hours in this solution were found to produce a slight 
amount of smut. Soaked 40 hours, all germs of the fungus 
were killed. Caustic potash, a cheap substance for sale in 
most groceries, or easily obtained by leaching wood ashes, 
was most effective in destroying all smut within 17 1-2 
hours. <A solution of Castile soap in water, with enough 
quick-lime to color the liquid milky white, proved quite 
effective, destroying, nearly all the smut. Cattle 
urine, which has been recommended by some farmers, 
is always accessible, and can be profitably used. Referring 
to these figures, it would seem that, considering the ease 
with which farmers can procure most of the substances 
tried, there can be no reasonable excuse for loss of grain from 
smut, provided no attempt is made to check the develop- 
ment of the same. The treatment of the grain with the 
various substances seemed to produce no injurious effect on 
the plants, for all were as equally strong and healthy as 
the untreated seed. 
SEEDING PERIODS FOR BARLEY AND OATS. 
Two tracts of land, 66 by 33 feet, were laid off into sub- 
plats, 11 by 33 feet, there being six divisions on each, or 
twelve inall. The large plats were separated by a walk 
