Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-08-26

the Injection, COO, moist, allow grow
ing, showery weather may result In
the most general rust infection, &c and
In ths greatest breaking Gut or Ssrup-
turing Of the straw. Then thegreat-
est destruction of such crop Will
follow If hot drying days prevail just
following the outbreaks. Dry, clear;
windy weather following the milk
stage will tend to hasten maturity and
harden the straws. Such weather thus
lessons the possibility o: great rust
development on the inside of the
straws. Any feature of soil or climate
which gives the crop rapid maturing
conditions tends to save it from rust
destruction. If an abundant crop of
black spores appear on the straws or
the heads before maturity, one may
know that there will be very poorly
filed grain and great destruction. in
some cases even complete destruction
of the crop be very poorly filed
grain and great destru ction, in some
cases even complete destruction of the
crop. The cause of this destruction Ia
based on the fzct that the internal
development of the parasite had been
extensive, and plant foods which
should hare matured the wheat straw
and head have been rssd up by the
parasite. The straws have also been
perforated or rurtured, 50 that mois-
tnre escapes very ras'ialy and they
weaken and crinkle over.
Local Conditions Favoring Rust
Irfec!iocs, Development and Damage
Aside f; ON the three reral points
just mentioaed maIy local conditions
inf 1ence the vigor Of rust attack,
These comet be stated so dehZ itely.
They vary with the influence Of the
grt alter factors The most important
of these local features are soil fertility,
coil texture, mechanical condition of
the soil, and drainage conditions.
One cannot make general assertlo On
covering these features or even any
particular one which will hold true
for all of the different soil areas.
Thus, in one type of soil, low lying
areas in the fields will show the first
and most destructive development of
the rust. In another the highest and
dryest lying areas are found to be
first and hardest hit. The general
observation which seems applicable to
all regions may be stated as follows
Any condition of the soil whether Of
mechanical, physical or chemical ma
tare, which weakens the straw or
retsrds it's natural development just
following heading time will be found
to increase rust infecti IN and the con-
sequence destruction of the field and
the grade. I have observed the follow
ing features under which the rust first
becomes active and destructive !:
~ Rust strikes early and excessively
upon highly MANFRED spots. Barn
yard manure and animal dropping in
excess on any land In poorly
drained spots of heavy clsyed lands.
(S) On gumbo and alkai q spots not
sufficiently loosened or pulverized,
found In many of the lighter land
areas. ~ On light sandy lands,
which are too deficient in fertility to
complete the maturity Of a heavy crop
of straw and heads develop in early
season. Many people are trying to
raise wheat upon soil which is too
light to complete development of the
spring growth. When a rust year
comes on this crop is sure to be de-
stroyed.. The soil is unable to push 1t
to maturity against the rust attack.
(5) On good loamy soils in which too
much stuble, weeds and rubbish have
been turned under This unrotte1 stuff
breaks the continuity Of the soil, cut
ting off the regular supply of moisture
from below the furrow slice. (6) On
fields of very good texture and fine
fertility which have been overworked,
either as cultivated crop, or too
thoroughly summer fallowed, thus
putting the soluble plant foods in too
available condition, giving an excess
similar to that furnished by too
heavy manuring with barnyard man
ures. For example, an excess Of nj
trogen makes soft, weak, succulent
straw and retards the power of matur-
ing seed, but furthers the growth of
rust. ~ On any type of soil if not
compared, that is. where
left exposed to atmosphere. there
being no proper. soil continuity from
below upward, etc.
What to Do-Drain your fields so
that all surplus water will quickly
run into main bitches. Get together
with your neighbors and open all
main bitches which are now blocked,
and open more new ones If necessary