50 On Smut in Wheat. 



arising from the smut adhering to the beard of the grain 

 sown, which had fixed itself on the pure grain (after 

 being put into motion by the operation of threshing,) 

 where it appears deposited in the form of a fine, oily, 

 vegetable mould. 



It is as yet unknown, by what means smut becomes so 

 pernicious to the offspring of the plant, arising from the 

 grain to which it adheres. It does not produce any 

 fungous matter, which might prove injurious to the 

 root, or stalks of the plants : for their vigour and appear- 

 ance were not sui'passed by any in the same field. There 

 is no apparent disease, until after the appearance of the 

 bloom or farina, but then its progress becomes rapid 

 and destructive. For while the plants from the unin- 

 fected grains, display vigour and health in the richness 

 and activity of their farina, the ear at the same time as- 

 suming the texture and properties of grain, the farina of 

 the infected is dead and pallid, adhering to the external 

 coating of the ear, as if it were some foreign matter 

 pasted thereon. Sterility and deadnessthen universally 

 prevail, and the perspiration of the plant is at an end. The 

 moisture which had been drawn up from the roots, be- 

 comes stagnated, and finally returns to the roots, visibly 

 discoloured, as if it had been steeped in impoverished 

 lye: — ^the stock for some time continues green, which 

 finally terminates in yellow rust over the whole ; the 

 milk, which abounded in the ear, in place of assuming 

 the texture, and properties of grain, becomes a putrid 

 mass, and so far as it remains insulated, by the coatings 

 intended for farinaceous matter and secluded from the 

 air, it produces that offensive smell, already stated. 



