24 On Smut in Wheat, 



shoued both parcels of grain while standing, to several 

 gentlemen, who acknowledged their belief m the utility 

 of the process. The succeeding autumn I again prepar- 

 ed my seed wheat in the same manner as before, and with 

 equal success, the grain, last harvest, being quite clear 

 of the smut, and of good quality. On sowing this crop, 

 I extended my experiments somev\hat further than the 

 preceding season. It havin^s^ been suggested to me, that 

 washing the ^.ecd m simple water only, provided it was 

 well washed, would answer all the purposes of the acid in 

 preventing the smut, to ascertain the fact, 1 prepared 

 a small quantity of seed, out of the same bulk, by washing 

 it well in water only ; v\ ith this 1 sowed about ten square 

 rods immediately adjoining that uhich had been prepar- 

 ed with the acid. At the same time 1 sowed a like quan- 

 tity of the same kind of seed, (next adjoining the last 

 mentioned) without any washing or preparation whatever. 

 Beyond that agam, as well as across the further end of 

 the two last mentioned kihds, 1 sowed the seed prepared 

 as at first, with the acid. On the approach of harvest, I 

 readily discovered the diiference in the respective parcels; 

 that prepared with the acid being entirely clear of the 

 smut, as before mentioned, while that washed in water 

 only, as well as that not washed or prepared in any way, 

 were both considerably injured by it, w ith no sensible 

 difference between them in the extent of the disease. This 

 grain was also shown to several of my neighbours, who 

 were perfectly convinced of the utility of the process, and 

 the accuracy of the experiment. From the complete 

 success of these experiments, 1 can no longer entertain a 

 doubt that the disease alluded to, may be prevented by 

 the above treatment of the seed- wheat previously to sow- 

 ing, and can confidently recommend it as worthy the at- 

 tention of every farmer who cultivates wheat. 



I would further just observe, that the kinds of wheat 



