On Blight in Wheat. 



evidently, to proceed from cold rains which fell about 

 the middle of August. Before that time wheat crops 

 in general looked healthy, and were beginning to change 

 to a bright colour. But presently, after a few cold wet 

 days, the malady became obvious to the naked eye.* 

 The straw lost its smooth varnished surface, being oc- 

 cupied by innumerable specks, which changed in a few 

 days, in less than a week, to a dark or blackish colour, 

 giving the straw a dusky appearance. Another instance 

 of the blight of wheat succeeding rain, was observed in 

 the same county in 1794. Another equally obvious, 

 in 1785, in the midland counties, as may be seen in the 

 •'Rural CEconomy" of that department, minute 74." 



As early ripe crops, are least subject to the disease, 

 Mr. Marshall recommends early sowing as a preven- 

 tive. "Corn, (grain) he remarks, which ripens under 

 the hot sumfuer sun in July, is not so liable to cold 

 chilling rains, as that which remains unmatured imtil 

 the sun begins to loose its power, and the nights to in- 

 crease in length and coolness." The truth of this theo- 

 ry is confirmed by what has occurred in our own coun- 

 try. The farmers in the fertile, but moist peninsula 

 between the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, had suf- 

 fered for many years so severely by mildew, from con- 

 tinuing to sow the old wheats which ripened late in July, 

 or in August, that many of them ceased to cultivate 

 wheat. At length the introduction of the "Isbell" or 



[* In Pennsylvania, we observe that the disease almost 

 constantly attacks grain, when frequent heavy fogs, or slight 

 showers, are succeeded by dead calms and a hot sun, about 

 the time of the grain filling.] 



