214 



the weeds. Thin, unheallliy, lale ripening crops are sure to ffuffer, 

 whilst thick, earlj? ripening crops escape. 



Thorowjh draining is one of the beat preventives of raiKlevv, as by 

 this rueans statrnant water is removed and the suii is rendered warm 

 and productive. 



Rust, or nredo ruhigo, attacks the interior of the chaff, in the shape 

 of blisters. It is of au orange color and generally causes tlio grain to 

 become shriveled and worthless. This disease is sometimes di.ssii)aled 

 by heat and bright dear weather. It mostly attacks wheat in cold 

 lands. The application of lime as a manure ani.1 the removal of inju- 

 rious shelter, and excess of moisture are the best remedies for every 

 kind of rust. 



Uredo linearis is a kind of rust which in a great measure confini-'s its 

 attacks to the siraio, on which it appears in spots like ironmould; it 

 sometimes extends to the grain and acts upon it in the same way as 

 uredo rubigo. 



There are two kinds of smut. The first is called urato segelum and 

 appears in the shape of 6/ucA; ears. This disease is found in every 

 kind of grain crop, and may be observed immediately after the ears 

 have shot out. It destroys the entire head which crumbles away and 

 disappears. Some soils are subject to this disease, and it seems to be 

 commuuicated to the seeds by spores which remain in the ground. 

 Laying down the land to grass, is the surest method of banishing t/m 

 hind of smut. 



ft 



The second kind of smut is named uredo fetida, from its stinking 

 smell. This kind takes the place of the kernel of the wheat. It is 

 composed of an immense number of minute spores. It is calculated 

 that a single grain of smut contains four millions of spores and by 

 means of these the disease is propagated, as they are absorbed by the 

 roots of wheat and carried upward by the sap. l^y the aid of the mi- 

 croscope the progress of these spores may be traced through the stem 

 of wheat to the head. The sporules of smut adhere to the grain of 

 wheat, by an oily substance which jnckling and washing eniirelg dis- 

 solves ani cleans aioay. 



Poisonous steeps for wheat are unnecessary and should never be 

 used. They have often proved fatal to domestic animals of various 



