The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-06-17
AGRICULTURAL.
Oats Smut.-.HOW to Prevent II

Farmers who grow oats know how
much grain is at times destroyed by
smut; the amount of smut ranges from
almost nothing to one-third, or in ex-
treme cases even one-half, the entire |
yield On an average it is computed |
of the annual Ohio oats crop. or $780, 600 |
to $500, 1000 each year. This loss Is
practically all preventable by a simple
method of treating the seed oats to kill
the smut spores that are sown with
the seed only, and the Experiment Sta
tion has proved this method to its entire
satisfaction. This is known as the
formalin method of Bolley. Formalin
is clear liquid, a solution of formal
dehyde in water, and may be purchased
at drugstores for about so cents per
pound. Each pound is sufficient to stir
into so gallons of water and will treat
80 bushels of seed oats; l ounce Is
enough for 3 gallons of water and will
treat 3 bushels of oats. The amount
purchased will be determined by the
number of bushels of oats to be treated.
The formalin is not poisonous, though
not wholesome; it is we'll to avoid SMELL
ing Of the strong solution as purchased,
because it is Irritating to the nostrils.
The very dilute solution used for oat
smut is not Objectionable.
TO TREAT SEED OATS FOR SMUT.
Having the solution made at the rate
of l ounce of formalin to three gallons
of water, we'll stirred, and gallon OF
solution to each bushel Of seed 10 be
treated, apply this with sprinkling
can to the oats In piles on q tight floor
Grain piles should not exceed about 6
bushels and the number of piles will
follow from the amount of seed. Sprin
kle each pile in turn, shoveling thor
oughly, knowing how much solution i.
applied; continue in each case until the
solution tends to Iun out on the fool
despite the shoveling. Usually hal
= gallon or more per bushel may be sprin
A kled on the first round, when the ont
pile is passed for few minutes while
another is handled in the same way
Upon a second sprinkling of each pill
rs much solution Is used as will b,
1 held; then with third or fourth repetl
tion the gallon per bushel may be used
/ After this shovel over and leave in Low
fiat piles over night, or not less thai
hours. The seed may then be spread
thin on floor and shOveled over Occa
sionally to dry out for drilling, or i
may be sown wet II broadcasted. l
in weather when proper drying of tn
seed is secured, the treatment of tn
seed may precede the time of sowing b,
some weeks. Seed treated in thi
manner is not poisonous, though scarce
lily suitable to be fed to horses.
TO PROCURE FoRMALIN.
The Experiment Station has no pc
cuniary interest in commercial transac
tions, but an easy and reasonable &C
QUESTION of the formalin may advanc
the Stations teachings. Learning tbs
some have been unable to purchas
formalin near at home the Station hs
arranged to have local drug firms q
orders at the following rates, If order
are sent to the Experiment Station
II is preferred that purchases be mad
at home. One OF. bottle of formslin
mail Is cents; 2 OF. bottle by mail
cents; OF. bottle by mail 30 cent
postage in all cases prepaid. By e,
press pound formalin 35 cents;
pound, or pint, formalin 40 cents, e.
pressage paid by recipient. Remi
tauces should be made to the Static
The Station Botantist is also Directs
of this line of experiments In the Agr
cultural Student Union of Ohio, ar
will be able 10 supply formalin upt
agreements to conduct experiments Al
report results, to one or more perso
in each township of the State. App
cations in this line for experiment m'
be addressed to the Station BOtanii
Other requests, remittances or inqr
ries should be addressed to the
Ill EXPERIMENT STATION,
III Wooster, Ohio.