BLACK BLIGHT IN WHEAT. 161 



nature to its source, have throughout mistaken 

 the effect for the cause. 



Suppose a farmer was to find a sheep, unhappily 

 reduced, and preyed upon by maggots, or the 

 larva of the flesh-fly, he may very justly suppose 

 that the maggots reduced the sheep ; and as 

 justly expect, that whatever sheep were subjected 

 to the maggots, would be reduced in the same 

 manner. Then what would be the best and pro- 

 per remedy ? Knowing the maggots to be pro- 

 duced from eggs deposited by flies, would he try to 

 cover his sheep from the flies ; or attempt to drive 

 them where there were no flies ? Where is the 

 farmer or shepherd that does not know, that flesh- 

 flies will not deposit their eggs on a healthy part 

 of a sheep ; or if they do, that they will not pro* 

 duce maggots ? They know full well, that if a 

 sheep be diseased by eruptions, or wounded ; the 

 flies will find out these places, and there deposit 

 their eggs ; and, therefore, the remedy is simple : 

 cure and prevent the disease, or protect the 

 wounds, and the evil is avoided " Remove 

 " the cause and the effect ceases." 



Very similar will be found the diseases in 

 wheat, called the rust, or black blight, and its 

 cause. 



The fungus undoubtedly preys upon that 

 which is intended to nourish and sustain the 



M 



