Ch. IX.] ON THE GROWTH OF CORN. 13^ 



constantly occasion alternate changes of weather, are far more dangerous 

 to vegetation, especially upon u'et soils. 



A heavy fall of snow, particularly if the ground be in firm order, is 

 always favourable, and the plants continue to grow under its cover. The 

 period of thaw is, however, attended with serious risk ; for if there be not a 

 sufficient fall from the land, the seed' may be materially injured by the 

 lodgment of the water, and this cannot be prevented by under-ground 

 drainage, as the snow will have melted before the thaw penetrates into the 

 earth, and consequently the water cannot reach the drains. It is still more 

 dangerous when the thaw is only gradual, with sunny days and frosty 

 nights ; for the ground being thawed during the day, sinks from the roots, 

 which thus become exposed to the frost of the night, and the most vigorous 

 plants find great difficulty in resisting these alternate changes of weatlier. 

 The danger, too, is always greatest if the soil be of a porous nature. 



The effects of frost, and other injuries vjjon grain which is approaching 

 to a state of ripeness, are such as in many cases to deprive it of the power 

 of bringing corn to maturity when used as seed, although it may germinate 

 when sown. It is often very difficult to ascertain the degree of damage 

 thus incurred by common inspection ; and farmers who purchase their seed 

 are thus frequently deceived. If, however, the seeds be closely examined, 

 the hulls, or coats of their kernels, if the grain be internally damaged, will 

 be found to present the following appearance. The outer rind, which encloses 

 the mealy substance of tlie kernel, is marked by a scar, through which the 

 sap-vessels enter ; and, upon stripping off this sheath, a hollow groove is 

 observable, running lengthwise through the inner rind, from the root end of 

 the grain to the point. If the grain be sound, and fit for seed, this groove 

 will not be discoloured ; but if damaged, it will be found nearly black at the 

 lower end, and more shrunk into the body of the kernel than in healthy 

 seed. The kernels, if unsound, are also easily divided in the line of the 

 groove, and upon being laid open, the sooty colour will be seen to cover 

 the root end. This designates rottenness ; whereas, if they are healthy, they 

 are always tough, smooth, and bright in colour, and it is difficult to split 

 them. 



Similar, or nearly similar bad effects to those that attend using seed which 

 has suffered from frost, are found to arise from using corn that has partially 

 sprung in the ear from wet weather. The grain of wheat, however, if 

 sound, is plump and full, of a peculiarly healthy colour, well known to 

 farmers and dealers, and in the case of oats it is commonly free of chaff. 

 Barley, if tainted, loses somewhat of its usual colour, and becomes paler, 

 with black ends in some of the grains. These indications will certainly go 

 far in guiding the judgment to a correct opinion ; but neither weight nor 

 colour are sure proofs of soundness, and perhaps the safest test is the cha- 

 racter of the seller. 



If it be wished to examine the grain in the stack, it will be proper to 

 take a few ears from each of a considerable immber of sheaves, to have all 

 the grain in these ears carefully beaten out, and then to take a part pro- 

 miscuously for inspection. If the corn be discovered to be only partially 

 injured (some grains being quite sound), it then becomes a question of eco- 

 nomical calculation whether it should be sown or not. The most prudent 

 course would certainly be to reject it. Circumstances may, however, render 

 that inexpedient, or the grain may be only so slightly spoiled, as not to be 

 unfit for use ; in which case it should be sown thicker in proportion to the 

 extent of the injury : thus, if five grains in fifty be damaged, ten pecks should 

 be sown for nine. 



