136 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



By this process the chaffy grain is rejected, the smut, to 

 which wheat is so liable, is entirely prevented ; and the 

 grain caused to germinate more rapidly and strongly. The 

 lime should be what is termed quicklime, or that just 

 slaked. The reason may be explained. No seed can ger 

 minate until it has rid itself of a large part of that carbon, 

 which, being essential to its preservation, must be with 

 drawn in order that it may grow. The addition of oxygen 

 from air and water converts the carbon to carbonic acid, 

 which is emitted from the pores, and escapes. Newly 

 slaked lime has a powerful affinity for carbonic acid ; and 

 by withdrawing it from the seed, puts it in a condition 

 favorable to immediate germination. Lime that has been 

 air-slaked or lain exposed to the air after being slaked by 

 water, combines with the carbonic acid in the atmosphere, 

 and when applied to wheat, being already a carbonate, it 

 does not liberate the carbonic acid contained in the seed. 



PLEASURES OF HORTICULTURE. There is no writing so 

 detestable as so-called fine writing. It is painted empti 

 ness. We especially detest fine writing about rural affairs 

 all the senseless gabble about dew, and zephyrs, and stars, 

 and sunrises about flowers, and green trees, golden grain 

 and lowing herds, etc. We always suspect a design upon 

 our admiration, and take care not to admire. In short, 

 geoponical cant, and pastoral cant, and rural cant in their 

 length and breadth, are like the whole long catalogue of 

 cants (not excepting the German Kant), intolerable. Now 

 and then, however, somebody writes as though he knew 

 something ; and then a free and bold strain of commenda 

 tion upon rural affairs is relishful. 



