THE FARMER'S M ANITA!. 79 



at the time of the filling of the kernel in the ear, the 

 warm rains, or warm moist weather, cause an exhala- 

 tion from the surface of the earth on which the wheat 

 grows, which lodges upon the straw, and forms fun- 

 gus excrescences, of the toadstool kind, and that these 

 excrescences absorb the juices of the straw, for their 

 support, and thus check their natural course to the 

 support of the kernel, which causes it to shrink, OP 

 blast. 



Remarks. 



So much of this is true, that the rust on wheat gene- 

 rally commences at this time, and under these circum- 

 stances, viz. in warm rains, or a long season of warm, 

 moist weather. But does not this combination of heat 

 and moisture at this time, bring into action the rich 

 manures, and thus force into the straw, (which has 

 now finished its growth,) more juices than the kernel, 

 (already filled out) can take up, or than can pass off 

 by natural perspiration, or evaporation ? and do not 

 these juices force open, or burst the straw, and thus 

 suffer the sap to exude through these small fissures, 

 or openings, or even through the natural pores of the 

 straw, or stalk ? and do not these exudations, when 

 exposed to the air, become glutinous, and form that 

 excrescence upon the straw called rust, and thus rob 

 the kernel of its natural support, and cause it to shrink, 

 or blast ? It is not so essential in this instance to 

 know the manner in which the effect is produced, as 

 to know the true cause and the best remedy. The 

 true cause is the application of rich manures to ^he 

 cultivation of wheat upon a strong, or rich soil : or 

 their too frequent application, or too long continu- 

 ance upon light, or moderate soils ; both are danger- 

 ous, and admit of but one remedy, and even that a 

 Eartial one. Cut down your wheat as soon as the 

 ernel becomes affected, and begins to shrink, and 

 let it cure in the gavil ; the exuding fissures, and 

 pores, will immediately close, and the remaining 



