On Stones that have fallen from the ^lmo<;phrre. 71 



is too well known, and it is the business of art to endeavour 

 to prevent it. 



If by cutting down the crop, as soon as it is found to be 

 diseased, the operation can be stopped — as experience, in 

 different instances, has shown that it may — the rcincdv is 

 easy *. 



A probable means of prevention is that of inducino- carlv 

 ripeness (for reasons above olfered), either by sowing early, 

 or by forcing manures, or by selecting and establishing 

 early varieties — of wheat most especially ; — as early varieties 

 of pease and other csculcnl plants are raiseil by gardeners : 

 a work which only requires ordinary attention, and whicli 

 it is hoped will, without delay, be set about and encou- 

 raged by every attentive grower of wheat, and every pro- 

 moter of rural improvements in the united kingdom. 



For the method of raising and improving varieties of 

 wheat, see the Rural Economy of Yorkshire, vol. ii. p. 4. 



XI. On the Origin of Stones that have fallen from the 

 u4lmosphere. Btj Chaules Hctton, L.L.D. arul 

 F. R. S. 



JL HE following observations are copied from a note hv 

 Dr. Hulton on Dr. Halley's Paper on Extraordinary Me- 



pretty evidently show that it is. The habits of the plants render them more 

 susceptible of injury, their rich juices more liable to be checked, and ihe 

 seeds of fuuR-i, it is probable, are more widely, if not more plentifully, 

 distributed, by such a state of the air, than they are by a cool moi-.t 

 atmosphere. 



• It may be asked in v/nat manner the remedy is thus effected. But to 

 the practical farmer the fact is all thr.t is required. To Iiim it is e.jually as 

 indiflereiit to know the operation of the ren^edy as the operation of the 

 disease. Those who have prolited by the remedy here recommended, be- 

 lieve tliat it " kills the mildew." (See Gloucestershire, vol.ii. p. 5i.) And 

 if it shall appear that the fungais of wheat requires a free supply of air to 

 keep it alive, or in a state of health and vigour, the effect of cutting down 

 the crop v.'ill be e::.plained. It willptrhaps be found, by experience, that 

 the closer it is allowed to he upon the ground, and the sooner it is bound 

 up in sheaves (provided the nr.tur.-l ascent of the sr.p to the ear be not 

 thereby interrupted), the more ctrectual and complete will be the remedy. 



Furtlicr, it may be sugt^tsted, on the evidence of attentive ohservatioti, 

 that if wlieat which has been attacked by this disease be suffered to remain 

 in the field with the ears exposed, untilit may have received the amcliJ. 

 rating; influence of dews or moderate rain (to soften, relax, and assist the 

 natural rise of the saii), the more productive it will prcjbably Ijecome. .See 

 Minutes of Agriculture, in .Surrev, No.-l. 



And it may lie still further added, that grain which is cut while, under 

 ripe, is less liable to be injured in the lield by moist weather, than that 

 » iiicii has stood uniil it be fully or over ri;.e. 



E 4 tcorj. 



