52 On Smut in Jfheat. 



It is therefore presumed, that the smut of the harvest 

 field of 1806, arose from a privation of the action of the 

 beard (which is on the pUime end of the grain of wheat) 

 in the ceconomy of vegetation. The office of that beard, 

 in the embryo state of the plant, is either to generate, 

 act upon, or in the vessels producing the bloom, or 

 farina ; for if these vessels are imperfect, or the action 

 required be wanting, all the mutual advantages which re- 

 sult from the perfection of the farina, and its operations 

 will cease ; instead of grain, there will be a putrid mass, 

 as in the sample before you. Every one will allow, 

 that the beard is formed for some important function, 

 in the service of the plant. It is here where the cause 

 of the disease exists; when the smut is removed from 

 the beard, perfect grain is produced ; w^hen it is suffered 

 to remain on the beard, smut is produced. It is then 

 in some measure conclusive, that the diseased ears nei- 

 ther receive nor communicate the farina. For until 

 this period, all the usual functions were performed, so 

 « far as inspection could determine; afterwards all the ope- 

 rations of the plant toward maturing the grain are at an 

 end. 



It may be objected, if the disease arose from the 

 impaired functions of the beard, and the consequent 

 imperfection and inactivity of the farina, that the iden- 

 tical grain would not, at the same time produce heal- 

 thy and diseased ears, as stated. It may be answered, 

 that upon examination of the grain with a glass, many 

 of the beards on the identical grain, were free from the 

 smut vvhen sown. The office of such would therefore 

 be performed, in the same manner, as if no disease had 

 existed on the s:rain, Vrhercin they acted. It is reason- 



