The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-03-27

/ large tiny smut plants are formed In
side OF them, but remain hidden and
allow the kernels TO develop and oil
out like other seed.
The loose smut cannot be prevented
by the ordinary formalin seed treat
ment, as Il lives over the winter in
side OF the seed instead of on the
outside of the seed coat. The only
seed treatment which has proved to be
preventive for this smut is the hot
water treatment, This is a delicate
operation for the average farmer TO
perform, as the death point of the
wheat seed itself is so close 10 the
death point of the smut in the seed
that very accurate thermometers and
careful handling are necessary.
The estimated average annual loss
OF loose smut OF barley is two per
cent. OF the crop. The time of APP
pearance and other characteristics OF
this smut are almost identical with
the loose smut OF wheat described
above. This smut cannot be pre-
vented by the formalin treatment be-
cause the smut passes the winter In
side the seed. The hot water treat
ment will prevent II. but II is not rec
commended for the average farmer
who must treat a large amount OF seed
in a short time at his busiest time Of
the year.
The study OF corn smut is receiving
considerable attention by the depart
ment. The losses are variable, being
largely dependent upon the locality
and the season, but are often serious.
No adequate means of control are at
present available. though it is known
that the losses from corn smut are
less where a rotation OF crops is
practiced and where care is taken not
20 feed smutted corn tc livestock and
then use the fresh manure on corn
land; because corn smut spores pass
through the digestive tract of farm
animals uniniured and can live and
multiply in the manure.
Each Of the cereal TUps has one or
more kinds of rust affecting them.
The black, or stem, rusts of wheat,
barley and oats are the nose serious.
Each of these three crops has an
early or so-called leaf rust which |
nearly always is present. but seldom
does serious damage. The rusts, as |
their name would indicate, first appear |
as reddish or yellowish spots on the |
leaves or stems of the grains. The |
stem rust forms long spots Of this yel-
Iowish powder. which turn black as the
grain ripens. 1t is this black rust
stage with which most farmers are
familiar and which they fear the most.
The rusts are perhaps the most Sc
-ious of all cereal diseases, for no
preventive measures are at
present know, other than the use of
yheats of the durum group, and the
selection and breeding of new vari-
sties resistent to rust.
No seed treatment is of any use
whatever, as the rust is an external
parasite, not living over in or on the
iced. Neither has any spray for the
,rowing plants been devised which
will give results at all in proportion
o the cost of its application on a
arge scale. In fact, experiments car
led on with sprays on small plots
ave not given very promising re-
ults.
1t is hoped eventually to furnish the
armers Of the great grain-producing
ections with new varieties which
hall be equal to the old, commonly
rown sorts and, in addition, will have
he added value Of being immune, or
t least resistant or tolerant to rust.