Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1917 — ERGOT IS DANGEROUS POISON TO ANIMALS [ARTICLE]

ERGOT IS DANGEROUS POISON TO ANIMALS

No Remedy for “Ergotism” and Stockmen Should Avoid Grazing on Infested Areas. tural College, F6rt Collins, Colo.) Ergot Is a name applied to one stage of a fungus that works in the heads of a number of grasses. It causes one of the oldest known stock diseases, the so-called “ergotism”, The ergot stage of the fungus is abundant in the fall. It forms pur-ple-black, straight or hornlike, hard structures about one-fourth to one-half inch long. These structures occupy the position of the grain In the head of grass, This hard mass Is not a degenerate kernel of grass, however. The ■black ergot masses vary In size and shape,’ depending upon the plant attacked. They are largest in rye. Ergot develops upon a number of grasses. There is no effective remedy for ergotism. Hence one should become familiar with the appearance of ergot, and avoid grazing stock on badly infested areas arid also avoid cutting Im tested areas of grass for hay.