Smyrna times., 1912-09-04
SMYRNA FARMERS ANNOYED
WITH "SMUT" IN WHEAT
HEAVY LOSSES STOOD BY GROW
ERS WHENIT SHOULD NOT BE
Use of the Formalin Treatment When
Taken in Time Will Save Kent
County Farmers Much Money

Smyrna farmers are cOntending
much this season with smut in wheat
and in a number of cases where they
should realize the high price for their
grain they are unable to do so on ac-
count of the smut. The raisers of
wheat in many of the Eastern States
are, according to a statement in
bulletin issued by the United States
Department of Agriculture, subjected
to IAN enormous loss" every year by
grain smuts; and the same authority
claims that this loss could "be en-
tirely prevented with but very slight |
outlay and with a minimum of trOub-
le, if the effort were made. This |
effort involves only the proper treat
ment of the seed wheat, and as the
time for planting winter wheat is
soon to arrive, the Grain Committee
of the Commercial Exchange of Phila-
delphia has engaged in the very
laudable task of calling the farmers
attention to the fact that he can
avoid the annual loss which the pres
ence of smut in his wheat entails
upont the producer, if he wishes to do
so and will take the necessary
precautions before planting his crop
this fall. The bulletin above men,
toned very truly points out that
"wheat containing any appreciable per-
centage of sinking smut has disagree
able OdOr, ard is frequently subjected
to heavy discount by millers on this
account. " What is more to the poit
is the statement that sit is perfectly
feasible for every farmer to protect
himself not only from this discount,
but also to get materially increased
yields in case his wheat is not badly
infected with smut.
Formalin Treatment the Best.
Farmers Bulletin 25O, issued by
the United States Government Bureau
of Agriculture, recommended four
principal treatments for smutted grains
but a new bulletin, Farmers Bulletin
5O7, is now in press, which particu-
larly recommends the formalin treat
ment for the prevention of sinking
smut in wheat, and Mr.. Edward C.
Johnson, Pathologist in charge of the
Office Grain Investigation, has very
kindly offered to send the new bulletin
to applicants, which those interested
should gladly note The slight
trouble of writing a request for the
bulletin, addressed to the Bureau of
Agriculture at Washington, and the
investment of a postage stamp, will
we'll reply the farmer that is anxious
to reap the full reward of his labors.
The Grain Committee of the Com
mercial Exchange has also solicited
the aid of the Agricultural Depart
ments of the States of Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware,
in this important work; and has been
encouraged by some of the officials
to believe that they will gladly CO.
operate in it. Possibly some farmers
may prefer to seek advice regarding
DEGNGAbAOM VI ollAuI 4IOAAA bAACAl 0IoSN
bureaus, agricultural colleges, or ex-
pertinent stations. Secretary of Agri-
culture Critchfield, of Pennsylvania,
writes that his department has recon
mended officially only the formaldehyd,
treatment and refers those interest tet
to the Directory of the Pennsylv anil
Agricultural Experiment Station, a
State College (P. c. Penn.
Former College Professors Opinion
DR.. Mel. T Cook, State Plant Path
olOgist, New Brunswick, New Jersey
writes that he has nothing to recon-
mend other than the well-known treat
ments with formalin or hot water
Professor ]. B. S. Norton, Stat
Pathologist, at College Park, MaIy
land, advizes the committee that hi
department will do what it can
disseminating information regardin
grain smut. DIR. Duvel and Mr.. EC
ward c. johnson, of the Bureau
Plant Industry of the Agriculturi
Department of the U. S. Govermel
strongly approve, of the committee
undertaking, and as everyone inte
ested, excepting the farmer, has SHOW
a sympathetic interest, the commit
makes this endeavor to place the fac
before him, in time to be of servi
before seeding the new crop, with
recommendation that some of the a
thorities named be asked for expli,
instructions how to proceed, or,
preferred, the request may be made
the Grain COmr1ittee, Commercial E
change, Philadelphia