66 On Smut in Wheat. 



microscope, is found to consist of clusters of a fungus 

 or parasitical plant, the invisible seeds of which insinu- 

 ate themselves into the pores of the absorbent vessels 

 of the stem, and deprive the grain of the sap destined 

 for its nourishment.* Of this minute fungus, highly- 

 magnified. Sir Joseph Banks has given beautiful plates 

 finely executed by Bauer, engraver to his Majesty. 



In some parts of England, where I have had oppor- 

 tunities of observing the disease called smut, it has ne- 

 ver been so general as described by some writers, but 

 partial, consisting of some solitary black ears, dispersed 

 here and there, among an infinite number of others, 

 sound and healthy. On viewing more narrowly the 

 smutty ears, some grains have been sound, while others 

 have been reduced to chaff, others, small and shrivelled. 



By washing the infected grain with water in a cylin- 

 drical vessel adapted to the purpose, (to which is given 

 a rapid circular motion) they may be wholly divested 

 of the smut,t and much useful grain preserved, which 

 being afterwards gently dried in a kiln, and a part of 

 it used as seed, an experienced farmer assured me pro- 

 duced a moderate crop, and perfectly free from smut. 

 Having seldom seen the disease among long bearded 

 grain, as rye, or barley, I am inclined to think it is most 

 predominant in wheat, especially the smooth eared sort, 

 and in late harvests, particularly in Great Britain ; nor 



^ Communications to the Board of Agriculture, Vol. 4. 

 page 399. 



f When the smut is so glutinous as not to be thus washed 

 off, I should recommend the addition of an equal quantit) 

 of fine sand, in order to cleanse the grain more effectually. 



