320 THE WHEAT CULTDKIST. 



"' Bought wit' is better than none; and I am riot 

 sure but that it is the best ; for one is apt to remember 

 what he gets in this way. But it should not cost too 

 i muck. Mine, in this instance, cost me about < twenty- 

 five dollars, as seed at that time was worth two dollars 

 a bushel ; besides not a little vexation and disappoint- 

 ment. I would just say, that I have been rather shy 

 of that puddle behind my cows, ever since its use as 

 above mentioned. Although a very excellent fertilizer, 

 and should by all means be saved, it is better to mix it 

 with straw, and other absorbents, and apply it to the 

 land, and not, in its full strength and raw state, to seed 

 wheat or any other kind of seed. So I think." 



BRINING SEED WHEAT. 



"Some steep their seed, and some in caldrons boil, 

 With vigorous nitre and with lees of oil, 

 O'er gentle fires, th' exuberant juice to drain, 

 And swell the flattVing husks with fruitful grain." 



DRYDEN'S VIRGIL. 



. Some wheat-growers contend that brining the seed is 

 of no practical utility. But the large majority of good 

 farmers concur in the belief, that washing the seed in 

 brine as strong as it can be made, will prevent smut. 

 It will also enable the farmer to skim out light wheat, 

 chess, and almost anything else that may be in the seed, 

 the strong brine bringing it to the surface much better 

 than mere water. The wheat should, while in the brine, 

 be stirred as long as any foul seed or light wheat rises ; 

 one bushel at once in a barrel is sufficient, with plenty 

 of brine; then dip brine and wheat into a basket. 

 When drained a few minutes, empty on a clean floor ; 

 take the same brine for another batch, and so on, until 



