St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-04-14
RUST AND SMUT.
Remedies Applicable to Different Kinds
of Seed Parasites.

4
| of Seed Parasites.
The prevalence of rust and smut in
oats reduces the value of the product
OF this crop fully 10 per cent, or, in
round numbers more than 60 0OO 900
bushels. worth in the aggregate SIS. :
o00 900. BY the expenditure of only
~. 500 in the purchase of an effective
remedy for this parasite, (viz., sui
phate of copper, used IN the common
solution of four ounces in gallon of
water for six bushels of seed, this
large loss may be avoided. The same
result may be secured in the case of
corn and wheat, both of which crops
are seriously damaged by the smut
parasite. It is timely subject to
consider, now that the sowing time
OF oats and the planting of corn
are approaching. Few farmers
think of treating their seed oats
and corn in this way. although the
wheat seed is almost wholly disin-
fected, and the favorable results with
this crop should be an encouragement
to apply the remedy to the others
which are equally affected. There are
other remedies which are effective. the
best of which, for many reasons. is
fresh air-slaked lime. we'll mixed with
the seed previously stepped in water,
and moistened to cause the lime to ad.
here. These remedies are applied
twenty -four hours before sowing, to
give time for the seed to dry.
The nature of rust and smut is not
perfectly understood, and a careful
Investigation of these parasitic dis
eases of plants would be most use
ful work for some well-managed ex-
pertinent station to engage in. While
the botanical character of the large
family of rusts is well known,
its whole life history is not and
1t is supposed that the smuts are
only secondary form of the
rusts. This is exceedingly doubtful
and for many reasons an untenable
But that the rusts are
very closely related, so much SO as to
own in many cases one parentage, is
matter of much probability. It is adj
united that the rust of barberry in-
fects wheat and produces the disease
upon this plant, and the writer has
found much evidence to prove that the
black berry rust will do the same. It
nay be quite possible that these rusts
which partake of the same specific
character are really transferable from
me host to another and vary in some
legree as the character of the host
varies. This variation clearly occurs
n some kinds of plant lice. which
'hange color upon different varieties
# plumb trees, being green upon some
md brownish red upon others, and if
his happens with insects why not
With the rustsp
The result follows then that the
emedies applicable to one kind of
ust may be effective with others. This
las been shown to be the case as re-
ards the rHst of wheat oats, straw
'erries, and blackberries. which are
IL prevented by the use of caustic
Ime, in the form of the fine dry pow
er due to air or water shaking the
resh quicklime, or to the sulphate OF
copper solution. 1t is also true in re-
ard to the smut of oats, corn and
Vheat, and the similar fungus which
reduces the rot in potatoes, and is be.
ieved to be effective with the black rot
n grapes. At any rate so much ID
.nown of the effectiveness Of these
emedies that it is wise to make use
I them by applying them to the seed
0 as to destroy the spores of the fun.
us. which are the seed from which
he new generation is originated.--M
!. Times. l.