Chap. XV. DISTEMPERS OF CORN. 83 



feeding or cutting down the corn, its growth and ripening are 

 retarded, by which means it is expofed to all the inconveniencies 

 of a late harveft. 



It will hereafter appear by many repeated experiments, that if 

 the plowman is careful to turn the earth towards the rows of corn, 

 at the laft hoeing, thereby to give greater {lability to the flalks 

 when they have attained their height, the corn will be lefs liable 

 to be lodged. 



Mr. Tull obferves, that in cold countries there are infedls which 

 prick the ftems of wheat before the grain is full of that milky (ub- 

 ftance which forms the flour. Thefe infecfls lay their eggs on the 

 outward covering of the flalks, and when thofe eggs are hatched, 

 they feed on the pith, and deftroy many of the vefTels, whence the 

 grain, being deprived of part of its nourifhment, remains light and 

 Ihrivell'd. 



The attack of thefe infedls may be known by the black fpots, 

 thought to be their excrements, which are feen on the ftalks. 



When thefe infe;R:s do not attack the ftalks till the grain is well 

 filled, they do little hurt. For this reafon, early corn is lefs liable 

 to be damaged by them, than that which is late ; and as the wheat 

 that is firft fown generally ripens the fooneft, this is another reafon 

 for fowing early. 



As it is obferved that thefe infedls chiefly attack the moil: thriving 

 corn, perhaps becaufe its ftalks are the moft juicy; one would 

 imagine, that as the wheat which is cultivated according to the new 

 husbandry is more vigorous than any other, it fliould likewife be 

 more fubjedl to be injured by them. Mr. Tull fays, that in this 

 cafe, a deep furrow may be cut near the wheat, about the middle 

 of June, in order to cut the roots of the plants, and thereby leffen 

 their luxuriancy. It does not appear that he ever tried this remedy, 

 which feems very dangerous. As the ftraw is expofed to the air and 

 fun, in the new huibandry, it may probably contradl a hardnefs 

 which does not fuit thefe infedls, fmce they are never feen in dry 

 feafons. 



Mr. Tull advifes a better fafeguard againft thefe infetfls, viz. to 

 fow the white bearded wheat, the ftalk of which is not hollow, but 

 towards the foot, the reft being filled with pith. It is fufpeftcd that 

 they fometimes attack this corn too, by the black fpots which are 

 obferved on the ftraw : but it it known by experience, that the grain 

 • never fuffers thereby, being always plump, hard, and heavy. 



M 2 Bled 



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