xxviii JVotices for a Young Farmer 



is apt to throw up the grass so luxuriantly, that it injures the 

 growth of the wheat or rye, by keeping the lower joints of 

 the stems so moist and tender, as to check the circulation of 

 the sap ; and cause them to lay or fall, when the heads are 

 formed, and hecome heavier than the straw will support ; 

 though they are often mere chaff, through want of sustenance 

 which is engrossed by the grass. Still this practice has re- 

 spectable advocates. Clean and good farming, with a suffi- 

 ciency of manure, admitting late sowing, so that the flights 

 of the flics are, for the most part, over before the young 

 wheat plants are in sufficient forwardness to afford a lodg- 

 ment for the eggs or nits of the fly, seem to be the best guards 

 against its ruinous ravages. Wheats with solid straw, resist 

 the compression of the indurated tegument containing the 

 nits, whilst pipy stems yield to its pressure ; and when the 

 head is formed, become prostrated by its weight. The yellow 

 bearded wheat has been found to escape injuries from this 

 inveterate destroyer. Some other kinds have been spoken of, 

 as having similar properties. 



XV. Steeps are highly recommended, as guards against 

 the maladies oC grain ; and for invigorating the first efforts 

 of the plant. The Flemish steep of blue vitriol, or copperas, 

 is said to destroy the parasitical plant adhering to the seed, 

 and deemed the cause of mildew and smut. See Sir J. Sin- 

 clair's Tour through Flanders, 1815. But this, or any other, 

 does not always succeed ; and smutty grain washed in pure 

 water, is often rendered fit for sowing, without danger of a 

 smutty crop. There are so many, and so various opinions, 

 on the causes of mildew and smut, that it is difficult to form 

 a decisive conclusion. See, (among others,) 2d vol. Phila- 

 delphia Memoirs, 164, and in the 14th vol, of the Bath Soci- 

 ety Papers, 54, &c. see article 3d, in which there is an in- 

 genious and elaborate discussion on the diseases of wheat. 

 Good farming, and well manured ground, so as to ripen the 

 grain early, seem to be the best securities. Spring wheat 

 most commonly escapes mildew and smut; and there are 

 kinds quite as good as winter grain. Such should be sought 

 for, and cultivated. In England, and other parts of Europe, 



