RUST ON WHEAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 126, 4 May 1883, Page 3

RUST ON WHEAT.

The yellow or orange-coloured dust that forms on the leaves and stems of wheat shortly^ before reaping time, is caused by of niiriute fungus. The fungus r plant! attacks the wheat somo weeks before it makes its appearance, and fills the interior substance of the leaves and stems with its fine threads. These threads act as root, by means of wbich the fungus or rust-plant obtains its nourishment from the substance of the growing ; wheat plant. There is no remedy for the. rust after it has once appeared upon the surface of the wheat. The most: effective preventive is blue Titribl or. blue-stone (sulphate of copper), two or three ounces of this salt t6 a.bushcL of wheat. This wheat is soaked m the brine for a short time befojre sowing. There has been' much energy expended m the, endeavour to find some variety, of wheat that is rust proof. Pro. Brewer,* who has charge of the grain statistics m the late American" census, finds many districts where a variety of wheat has sprung us, that for a year or so is almost iust proof, but afterwards it becomes infested the same as other soits. As a precaution, it is well^to burn the stubble t thus destroying many spores that would otherwise germinate and continue the pest. -.-