i 803. On the Effccl of Frojl on Groivwg CirnSi ^c. 27 1 



TO THE CONDUCTOR. OF THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 

 Thoughts oil the I'lffii^ cf I'rojl on Groiving CorriSy ^r. 



Sir, 



Thi RE is perh-.ips no iubje£l in agriculture more dcferving of 

 a minute and tliorough inveitigation, than that or the cffc6ls of 

 fro4b upon gro\ving corn, both as preventing the farther fiUing of 

 the grain, and rendering it unfit for feed. A want of attention 

 to the fe ' matters, has more than once proved injurious to this 

 country, particularly in the years 1783 and 1800. In the firft of 

 thefe periods, tliough the fummer and harvell were both very fa- 

 vourable, the crop was more defcftive than in 1782, a late and 

 unfavourable year, in which the crop was almoll generally frofted, 

 in the northern dillri<£ls, io early as the month of G6tober. It is 

 alfo evident, that the failure of crop 1 800 was more ov/ing to the 

 bad or frofted feed ufed, than to all other caufes put together. 

 Notwithftanding the goodnefs of grain produced, both in i 783 

 and iBoo, the fcarcity was very great; and prices, of courfe, rofe 

 higher than in the preceding years, when the crops were really- 

 damaged by the latenefs and unfavourablenefs of the feafons. It 

 may naturally be fuppofed, that M'here the intereit of fo m.any 

 individunls was fo deeply concerned, the utmofl care would be 

 beitowed in inveiligating what was entirely new. I fay, new; be- 

 caufe frolt had for a long time done no material damage to the 

 ripening crops in this country ; confequently farmers and others 

 had every thing to learn on this fubjedt. 



As I have not obferved any thing particular, in your Magazine, 

 upon this important buhncfs, I beg leave to prefent you with my 

 obfervations thereupon ; and I allure you they are not grounded 

 upon theory, but arc folely the refult of fa<£ls and experience. X 

 mult premife, that grain, injured by mildew or froft, cannot, by the 

 ufe of any means, be recovered ; therefore, the only point deferving 

 confideration is, how, or in what manner, we can difcover what 

 may be fafely ufed for feed. I lliall confider, i. The ftate of the 

 weather, wherein danger to the grov/ing crop from froft may be 

 apprehended. 2. At what ftages of vegetation, or approaching 

 ripenels, the worft elfecSls m.'.y enfue. 3. The expofures and fi- 

 tuations, where moft injury is fultained. 4. "Whether oats im- 

 perfeftly filled or ripened, in confequence of a late feaion, can 

 be fit for feed. 5. Tlic appearances by which froiled or imper- 

 fe<St feed niay be dirilnguifiied. 



In confequence of the obfervations I have been enabled to make 

 mn thefe interefting matters, I am clearly of opinion, that no degree 



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