62 On Smut in Wheat. 



she\Mi two years since, by Job Roberts of Montgomery 

 county, Pennsylvania: a fine field of wheat, which fully 

 proved the utility of steeping the seed in simple salt 

 and water. For the sake of experiment he sowed a 

 strip in the middle of the field, with dry unsteeped seed 

 and the backwardness and want of vigour in that por- 

 tion, when compared with the rest of the field was so 

 apparent, as to call forth a remark from me. He in- 

 formed me, that several of his neighbours had tried the 

 same steep, and were so convinced of its utility, as to 

 induce them to continue the practice.! 



These facts ai'c sufficient in my opinion, to prove the 

 benefit derived from steeping seed grain in various 

 liquids : some caution however is to be observed in the 

 process; according to Mr. Somerville, "while the grain 

 steeped in the pickle continues in a moist state, it may- 

 be kept for any length of time without much injury, but 

 wheat which has undergone this preparation, and has- 

 had lime in a very active state mixed with it, if sown 

 early in autumn upon warm dry land, and no rain falls- 

 for a considerable time, a great proportion of the grain 

 will be either entirely destroyed, or materially injured." 



Mr. Wagstafi'e found that soaking and rinsing the 

 grain in sim.ple water, was effectual in the prevention of 



whiting will therefore he thinks answer equally well, without, 

 the risk attendant upon the use of lime. 



f Stale Urine is sometimes employed as a pickle for seed 

 grain, but it requires so many circumstances to concur in ol- 

 der to its being used with safet}-, that it should be avoided upon 

 all occasions. 



