The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-03-16
FARM BUREAU
Treat; Spring Grain for Smut

1
Treat Spring Grain for Smut
MANY growers have the mistaken
idea that spring grain does not need
to be treated for smut" says Charles
w. Hungerford, Plant Pathologist,
University of Idaho, Moscow. I'm
less he is sure that his seed came
from a field in which there was no
smut, every farmer should treat all
oats, barley and wheat used for seed,
Time spent in treating grain Is not
wasted. Few other farm operations
pay as large returns. The loss from
oat smut, for example, in Idaho fo1
number of years has averaged
about dollar per acre. Formalde-
hyde treatment which will absolutely
prevent this loss costs but three cents
per acre. The loss from barley smut
| is about the same and for wheat
smut is much greater. There Is nc
| easer way to increase your net re-
turns. Why not stop these leaks IN
| crop production?
Careful attention to certain de-
tails are necessary in order to secure
the best results from seed treatment.
First. Clean seed thoroly to re-
move smut balls. If the seed is
practically free from smut balls, 1t
can safely be treated in the sack. II
there are a noticeable number OF
smut balls present, it should be
poured loose into the solutions and
the smut balls skinned off.
Second. Sow as soon after treat
ment as possible as grain which
stands after treatment is liable to be
injured unless thoroly dried.
Third. Increase the rate Of seed
ing at least one-fourth after treat
ment to allow for swelling of the
seed.
Fourth. After treatment do not al
low grain to come in contact with
floors, machinery or sacks which
have not been disinfected with the
disnlectng solution.
Fifth. Measure solutions care
fully. Do not guess at the amounts.
A little difference in the strength OF
the solution may mean the difference
between success and failure.
THE following methods Of seed
treatment have been thoroly tested
at the Idaho Experiment Station at
Moscow and by various growers
thruout the state and have proven
successful.
Ordinary Formaldehyde Method
(For oil prainsl
Add one pint of forlnaldehyde
(37-4O per cent? to 40 gallons OF
water. This equals one ounce to
two and a half gallons, or four
ounces to ten gallons. Use about
one gallon of the solution for each
bushel of wheat and little over a
gallon for each bushel of oats or
barley. Wet all grain thoroly,
either by sprinkling; by pouring
loose into the solution; or by soak
ing ten minutes in gunny sacks filled
one-third full. If treated loose,
cover with disinfected sacks or can
vas for two hours. Sacked grain
should BIZ drained and let lie spread
out in the sack until sown. Sow as
soon as possible.
Concentrated Formaldehyde Method
(For oats only
A new and promising method for
treating oats with concentrated
formaldehyde has been used success
fully for the last three years at the
Idaho Experiment Station.
Use one part of formaldehyde in
ten parts of water. Spread the grain
out on q clean floor, canvas, or
wagon box. As the grain is shoveled
from one pile to another, each
shovelful is sprayed with a small
quart hand sprayer held close to the
grain. Three movements of the
handle for each shovelful gives about
the right amount. Use in the pro-
portion of one quart of the solution
to five bushels of oats. Cover grain
with sacks or canvas which have
been sprayed with the solution.
Leave covered four hours.
Precautions: Formaldehyde vapor
acts as an irritant upon the nose and
eyes, therefore:
1. Hold the sprayer close to the
grain.
2. Shovel the seed onto the vapor.
8. Work from one side Of the pile.
4. Have circulation of air where
grain is being treated.
Bluestone Treatment
Advantages Of the new method: 1t
does not wet the seed and therefore
the seed does not swell. Oats may
be treated any time before planting.
(For wheat only
Add one pound of bluestone Coop
per sulphate) (blue vitriol) and one
pound Of salt to each five gallons OF
water. Suspend the bluestone in q
small cheesecloth bag in the water
until 1t is dissolved. immense wheat
in the solution until every kernel Is
thoroly wet. Then dip seed at once
in q lime bath make by Stacking one
pound Of lime and making up to ten
gallons by adding water. Dry and
sow as soon as possible. This lime
bath helps to prevent sect injury.