220 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF GROWING PLANTS. 



nothing is seen on breaking through the covering of the 

 seed, but what appears to be an almost impalpable powder, 

 each grain of which is a dry, hard, thread-like larva. 



777. Threshing very easily breaks the thin shells which 

 surround this powder, and it rises in the form of dust, 

 causing severe smarting in the &quot;eyes, and some irritation 

 of the throat and coughing, as the animalcules are set in 

 motion by the moisture. No serious results follow, 

 however, except that more or less of this dust attaches 

 itself to sound kernels, thus propagating the disease. 



778. Where the seed is supposed to be at all effected in 

 this way, it should be thoroughly washed in clean water, 

 several times renewed. All the grains that float should 

 be carefully taken out. The seed may then be soaked in 

 a brine or pickle much as follows : 



779. For every two bushels of seed take three pounds 

 of caustic lime in lumps, and sixteen pounds of Glauber s 

 salts. Dissolve the latter in six or eight quarts of water, 

 and whilst they are dissolving, slack the lime. Put the 

 grain into a tub and stir well, pouring on the solution of 

 Glauber s salt at the same time. Now sprinkle in the 

 slacked lime, constantly stirring the seed until the whole 

 is covered with lime. 



780. The term blight is properly applied to a withering 

 or blasting of the foliage, by whatever cause produced. 

 It may be the result of sun-stroke or frost, a plague of 

 insects or fungi. It may be caused by drought, heat, 

 cold, over-manuring or ^insufficient nourishment, or by an 

 original want of vigor in the seed. Still it is blight. 

 The term is also often used in this country as including 

 mildew, nisi, and many other affections of the kind to 

 which plants arc liable. 



