The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
PREVENTING SMUT WITH HOT WATER.

dOmeSCeaQs
PREVENTING SMUT WITH HOT WATER.
The smut diseases of small grains
are minute parasitic plants, which
grow inside the grain plant and come
to maturity in the kernel. The spores
or seeds cannot live through the win.
ter in or upon the open ground, hence,
the disease is propagated by germs,
which adhere to the seed grain. A
large loss is caused annually by the
presence of these smuts, which can be
prevented by immersing seed in hot
water kept at temperature of l3O to
1873 degrees. The time of exposure
will depend upon the grain being
| treated.
The process of treatment is very
simple. Place a large iron kettle in
position 80 that fire can be started
under it. At the right and slightly to
the rear, place barrel which will hold
water, sinking it into the ground about
half way. Place another 'at the left
| of the kettle and to the rear, leaving
sufficient space between the two bar
rels for standing. Still back of the
second barrel, place bushel basket
upon some kind of support SO that
the water may drain from it freely.
Directly over these barrels and kettle,
erect a tripod, made by fastening three
2x4 scantlings or poles together at
one end by means Of chain and
spreading them apart at the bottom.
From this suspend rope and at the
lower end of the rope attach lever
and to the short end OF the lever a
vessel, In which the grain is to be
placed for, immersion in the water.
Fill the barrel to the right over half
full with water and keep it at a tenn
perature of 10 to 120 deereea. In
the kettle keep the water at l30 to l33
degrees. In the barrel to the left have
! cold water.
Place the grain to be treated in the
vessel on the end of the lever. This
vessel must have cover to prevent
the grain getting out. Immerse it in
the barrel of warm water. Churn the
vessel up and down until every portion
of the grain has been wetted. Lift
the basket from the water and hold it
for few moments until it has drained
slightly, then shift it over and i'm.
merse in the kettle where the water is
at temperature of 13O to 1873
degrees. When treating oats allow to
remain in the hot water for ten min.
utes. The sinking smut of wheat re.
quires the same treatment as oats, e1.
cept that the grain should be placed
in vessel of cold water first and the
smutty sgrains which float on top,
skinned off before treated with hot
water. Barley requires an immersion
of only five minutes at 130 degrees.
After the grain has remained in the hot
water for the prescribed time, lift up
and allow to drain, then immerse in the
barrel of cold water on the left. Allow
it to remain here for few moments
until the temperature is lowered, so
that there will be no danger of injury
to the grain. Then, empty the grain
into the bushel basket and let it drain.
II it is to be sown at once, take direct
to the field, but if not, spread on
barn floor where there is good ventila.
tion and stir occasionally until thor
oughlY dry.
The object of immersing in the first
barrel is simply to warm the grain up
to somewhere near the temperature Of
the water in the kettle. When it be-
comes lower than 10 degrees, raise it
by adding hot water. The exact tenn.
perature of the water in the kettle, or
scalding vessel, is of great Importance
and must be closely watched. If 1t
gets above 1873 degrees there is great
danger of iniuring the germ of the
seed, and if below $50 degrees the
smut germs will not be killed. Attach
a good thermometer to paddle and
use this to stir the water frequently.
Keep close watch of the mercury and
see that it Is at the proper point. In
reading, keep the bulb under the
water, for. if taken out, the evapura.
ton will cause su lden falling. To
keep the temperature at the proper
point, have a fire lnder the kettle
which can be increased or decreased at
will. A special vessel for holding the
grain during treatment can be pre-.
pared, the principal point to be OBJ.
served being that it have cover and
that it be as open as possible, 80 that
the water will pass in and out freely.
A coarse gunny sack is frequently
used, but q milk can, with q large
number of holes two or three inches
in diameter and the entire inside lined
with wire mosquito netting, is prefer.
able.
This treatment is so simple and so
effective that it should be applied in
all cases where smut is suspected.
Every farmer has large iron kettle
and barrels. In fact, everything
necessary for the process. The grain
can be treated during the early spring
days, and will then be ready for use
when needed. or 1t can be treated just
before seeding. ng.-American Agricul.
turist.
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