On Smut in Wheat. 49 



high wind prevailing in a continued draughty while the 

 bloom or farina is present, and the milk in the corn. 



But when the complaint is local, unless the aspect is 

 of an uncommon kind, there is reason to conclude the 

 seed has been in some respect imperfect. And being 

 unable to produce the farina, and mature the grain, an 

 abortion takes place, and the result is the same, but 

 not attended with all the symptoms of that sown with 

 the smut adhering thereto. This was the case in 1805, 

 the smut had no oftensive smell, while the produce from 

 that grain in 1806 was highly offensive, bearing a re- 

 semblance to that arising from putrid fish, and continued 

 so, notwithstanding the low temperature of the atmos- 

 phere. This may readily be perceived by rubbing a 

 smut ball between the finger and thumb. 



The reason why the smut had no offensive smell in 

 1805, was, the disease seems to have progressed more 

 slowly, and the foetid efiluvia cai'ried off by the partial 

 perspiration, remaining in the plant. 



The introduction of smut, may be prevented by care- 

 ful selection and preparation of the seed. The wash- 

 ings recommended by the best agricultural authorities, 

 are to be performed, and all imperfect grain rejected; 

 for it frequently happens, that although the principles 

 of vegetation are not extinguished, the powers for ma- 

 turing the grains are destroyed- The smut stated as 

 having made its appearance in the harvest of 1805, 

 seems to have originated in this way. No other farms 

 in this neighbourhood were infected or contained any 

 mixture of smut, except that alluded to in this paper. 



The smut which made its appearance in the harvest 

 of 1806, was evidently a species of hereditary disease. 



