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utility. In unfavourable feafons, every one knows, 

 that fmut generally prevails in fpite of every pre- 

 caution that has been hitherto taken. Brine, 

 pickling, liming, change of feed, and feed of one 

 year old and upwards, avail nothing. In cold wet; 

 fummers the fmut prevails, notwithftanding the 

 ufe of every means which invention hath urged, or 

 ingenuity praCtifed. 



The circumftances that firft attradled my notice^ 

 and engaged my attention to this fubje6l, were as 

 follow: — Some years fincc I fet a ridge with wheats 

 by way of experiment, in rows at various diftances| 

 in the courfc of the fpring it was hoed two or three 

 times, and was as healthy, vigorous, and fine, as ever 

 was feen. In general it was from four to five feet 

 and a half high, the ftraw uncommonly large and 

 ftrong, and the ears from four to five inches and a 

 half in length. No corn ever appeared more pro- 

 mifmg. Thus it continued till the bloom appeared, 

 about the middle of June. The weather then be- 

 came wet and cold, and frequently deprived the 

 corn of what is ufually called its blolToms. Before 

 the end of the month, the ears put on a fickly 

 look, and upon examination, it was found amazingly 

 fmutty; more fo, indeed, than I had ever ob- 

 ferved any before. In vain I examined the roots, 

 the draw, the joints, &c, all appeared found and 



perfe<5b. 



