Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1917 — PREVENTING RUST AND SMUTS. [ARTICLE]

PREVENTING RUST AND SMUTS.

Rational Cron Improvement Service.] Earley is comparatively . free from diseases and insect enemies. It is, however, affected with rust and smut, but not to the extent that oats are usually affected. Little has been done regarding the prevention of rust, but considerable has been done in the eradication of smuts. Ordinary smut can be handled with the formaldehyde treatment the same as oats, but the loose smut is hard to eradicate unless the modified hot water treatmefit is used. This is a delicate proposition and should be done carefully. Place the barley in gunny ■acks and submerge in cold water from sevea to twelve hours. Remove and drain for one hour, then submerge for five minutes in a barrel of hot water, held at a constant temperstab of 130 “degrees Fahrenheit. The water ought to be thoroughly warmed before putting in the barley because it will cool off the water. Boiling water should be kept near at hand which can be added at intervals which will keep the temperature nearly constant, but should never be allowed to come into direct contact with the grain as its vitality will be injured or destroyed. Be careful that your thermometer is correct. You ought to get yours tested at the creamery or the cheese factory. After this treatment the grain should be spread upon the barn’ floor to coo! before sowing. It should be sown the same day or not later than rhe day after treatment, for if you don't look out it will swell and start to sprout and it will be hard to get ft through the seeder. In the treatment for smut, formaldehyde is the most desirable as it is easiest to handle. Smut is not so very bs-.i in barley this year, which »is for-, ’mate because if you wish to make a profit on a crop you can put-it in after all other crops are planted, except com and potatoes. -j