112 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



the field in the fall or spring, taking care to permit the ani- 

 mals to go on only when the ground is firm. 



ENEMIES OF WHEAT. These are numerous. It is subject 

 to the attack of the Hessian Fly if sown too early in the 

 fall, and again the ensuing spring, there being two annual 

 swarms of the fly early in May and September. When thus 

 invaded, harrowing or rolling, by which the maggots or flies 

 are displaced or driven ofT is the only remedy of much avail. 

 Occasionally other flies, and sometimes wheat worms com- 

 mit great depredations. There is no effectual remedy known 

 against any of these marauders, beyond rolling, brushing 

 and harrowing. Dusting the grain with lime, ashes and 

 soot, have been frequently tried, as have also the sprinkling 

 them with urine, dilute acids, dec.; and also by fumigating 

 them in the evening when the smoke creeps along through 

 the standing grain. For this last purpose a smouldering 

 heap of clamp brush, weeds, or chips, is placed on the wind- 

 ward side of the field, and its efficacy may be increased by 

 the addition of brimstone. Whenever obnoxious to these 

 attacks, the only safety is to place the crop in the best con- 

 dition to withstand them by hastening its growth, and by 

 the propagation of the most hardy varieties. An application 

 of unleached ashes in damp weather will sometimes dimin- 

 ish the ravages of worms at the root. Quck lime has the 

 same effect on all insects with which it comes in contact, 

 but it should be carefully applied to avoid injury to the 

 plants. 



Smut is a dark brown or blackish parasitic fungus, which 

 grows upon the head and destroys the grain. The only rem- 

 edy for this, is washing in two or three successive strong 

 brines, and intimately mixing and coating the seed with 

 quick lime. 



Rust affects the straw of wheat while the grain is form- 

 ing and before it is fully matured. It is almost always pres- 

 ent in the field, but is not extensively injurious except in 

 muggy (close, showery and hot) weather. The straw then 

 bursts from the exuberance of the sap, which is seen to 

 exude, and a crust or iron colored rust is formed in longitu- 

 dinal ridges on the stalk. It is generally conceded that this 

 rust is a fungus or minute parasitic plant which subsists on 

 the sap ; but whether it be the cause or consequence of this 

 exudation is not fully determined. There is no remedy for 

 this when it appeal's, and the only mitigation of its effects, 

 is to cut and harvest the grain at once. The straw in this 



