On Soiling Cattle. 339 
it freely until the first crop gets rather old, when it pro- 
duces what is termed a salivation or slobbering; this 
may proceed either from the suckers of the second crop 
springing from the roots, or from the poisonous sap 
(which is supposed to be produced at this season) ris- 
ing up into the old stem; or by the decaying under 
leaves of the plant disposed at this time, from some hid- 
den. cause to collect poisonous properties, for it is said § 
the grain of wheat sometimes becomes highly impreg- 
nated with poison from damage sustained while stand- 
ing in the field; but as insects of various descriptions 
have generally been thought the primary cause of most 
of the evils attending vegetation, and men of superior 
information confidently assert, that the smut and mil-— 
dew in wheat are occasioned by them, and it may here- 
after be discovered that insects are the cause of thisma- 
lady in clover, and as the ravages of those have been — 
generally periodical, it seems to accord with the prevail- 
ing opinion, that clover has not long been affected in .” 
this. way. The person who has cut grass for my cattle — 
during the three years of soiling, has frequently inform- 
ed me, that after long continued rains, or drifting and 
moist weather, the red clover got affected with a rusty 
appearance on the stalks, which he considered the cause 
of the rejection of it by cattle. I have observed this ap- 
pearance on well saved second crop hay, yet it excited 
but little attention until very lately. If insects are the 
cause of this evil, perhaps with proper glasses, traces of 
their ravages may now be discovered in the stalks of 
the second crop hay, if not, the ensuing summer will 
afford ample scope for investigation. 
* , 1 os 
