DISEASES OF CORN. 163 



an application of common salt. It has, therefore, been 

 inferred by some that soaking the seed-corn before 

 planting in a solution of salt, or spreading salt freely 

 upon the surface of the ground, will have the effect 

 of preventing this disease. 



The usual theory in regard to this fungus attrib- 

 utes it to the bruises and lacerations inflicted upon the 

 young plant by a reckless mode of cultivation. The 

 bleeding that occurs from these wounds results in the 

 formation of the dark morbid substance above de- 

 scribed. When this happens to be in contact with the 

 ear, it is liable to prove destructive unless discovered 

 in season and promptly removed. When it occurs on 

 other portions of the plant it is more or less injurious, 

 sometimes interfering with the perfection of the grain. 

 The only effectual remedy is speedy removal, and re- 

 peating this process as often as the fungus may reap- 

 pear, which it is apt to do, and sometimes to a trou- 

 blesome extent. 



But this course, even when faithfully pursued, 

 does not always insure a restoration of the plant. It 



t/ 



is consequently a matter of importance to use precau- 

 tion in avoiding the causes of this malady, and to 

 guard carefully against the wounds and bruises liable 

 to occur in after culture. Though some of the plants 

 thus carelessly mangled may outlive the infliction and 

 seem to thrive, even when the morbid growth is suf- 

 fered to remain, yet a part of them must necessarily 

 become too much enfeebled to be capable of perfect- 

 ing the ear. 



In addition to the above-described fungus there is 



