DISEASES OF %HEA.T. Q63 



IS smut mixed with the seed, and that although the diseased 

 grains do not ves^etate, they produce smut cars in the crop. 

 It was also shown, that the seed corn prepared with lime 

 })revented the disease from proving injurious in any consi- 

 derable degree. At that time my observations led me to 

 conjecture, that aninialcula might probably be the primary 

 cause. By reasoning from analogy, it still, however, re- 

 mained doubtful, whether these minute creatures might not 

 be the eifect rather than the cause of the disease ^ I there- 

 fore resolved to attempt an analysis of the smut itself. 



From various unexpected circumstances I have been pre- On the cause 

 vented completing the inquiry, and am at present only war- ^yi^gat" 

 ranted in announcing, that o«e of the component parts of 

 srniit is the sole cause of that destructive malady, and that 

 wherever it exists, whether in the seed or in the soil, the crop 

 \vill be tainted. My chief motive in forwarding you at this 

 /f we what may be deemed a- premature communication is, 

 to earnestly recommend to all practical agriculturists the 

 following receipt for the preservation of seed wheat. 



Put the wheat gradually into limewater*, at the same Receipt for 

 time carefully taking off the light grains which float on the P'-ep^nng seed 



API- 1-11 wheat. — Soak 



surface. After standing covered with the water to the depth it well in lim«»« 



of five or six inches, and the vessel closely shut durins" 7^*^'^' ^}^^^ 



^r. 1 ... . , . . , . ^ keep It for 



twelve or fitteen hours, stirring it twice or thrice in that time, some hours in 



the liquor is to be drawn off, and the wheat put on a floor, 'i'^i*- <^ water. 

 The following mixture is then to be poured regularly over w^q powder, 

 it, viz^ Lime, five pounds; boiling water, three gallons; stir ^"^ '^^^^ 

 them together till the lime is reduced to a powder, which 

 will happen in a minute or two. It is then to be intimately 

 mixed with the wheat, which after lying covered with cloths 

 for some hours may be dried with lime in poSvder, and im- 

 mediately sown. The above quantities are sufficient for hve 

 bushels of grain, and more ought not to be prepared toge- 

 ther. 



• Limewater is made by mixing (boiling) water and quicklime toge- 

 ther, about one pound of lime (more or less) will be sufficient for three 

 gallons of water; and, -after standing ah hour or two in a covered vessel, 

 pouring off the liquor, which, if not immediately used, must. be. kept 

 in a vessel closely shut. 



There 



