213 



has a tendency to banish weeds and to destroy burtful insects, and also 

 to keep the ground fertile by having a manured green crop, or a clover 

 meadotv, always succeed a grain crop. 



There is an old proverb which tells us that, "one year's seeding 

 makes seven years weeding," and we may frequently see luxuriant 

 proofs of its truth. We should never allow weeds to ripeii and sow 

 their seeds, if we do, we may expect to pay a heavy penalty. 



Too much attention cannot be paid to the subject of procuring good 

 seed and having it perfectly free from smut and weeds. A steep of 

 salt and water will eft'ectually prevent smut, providing the seed be dried 

 with fresh slaked lime. 



Concentrated manures are generally good for wheat ; I have endeavored 

 to prove the value of nitrigenous manures by producing valuable tables. 

 There can be no doubt but that the produce of wheat can be greatly 

 increased by a little attention to the management of manure. 



Harrowing and roiling in spring are sometimes of great benefit to 

 the wheat crop; by this means the crust of the soil is broken up, lumps 

 are pulverized, and rendered suitable nourishment for the young roots. 

 The larva of hurtful insects, which lie hid near the surface, are torn 

 vj) and exposed to the attacks of birds, ants, and spiders, cC'C. 



Rolling makes a fine level surface for the cradle, or reaping machine, 

 and counteracts the eftect of heat by compressing the soil and render- 

 ing it fine. 



DISEASES OF WHEAT. 



Mildew, scientifically named, puccinea graminis, is a well known dis- 

 ease which is very injurious to wheat. It attacks the straw in the shape 

 of brown patches. The microscope has revealed to us that these brown 

 patches are masses of spores which have burst the epidermis or outer 

 sJcin of the stein. It is now believed that these minute spores enter 

 the stomata or breathing pores of the plant and there strike root, and 

 extend their growth. 



Mildew generally attacks wheat in damp situations, and in localities 

 where too much shelter prevents the free entrance of sun and wind. 



Cold undrained soils are generally the favorite abodes of rust and 

 mildew and every description of blight. Wheat fields in which weeds 

 abound are liable to the attacks of mildew, as moisture is retained by 



