180 HOW TO GROW GOOD CORN. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



EPIPHYTICAL PARASITES (VEGETABLE BLIGHTS) OF 

 CORN CROPS. 



These forms of parasite are so numerous, that nearly 

 every species of flowering plant may become the 

 nidus even of several named genera, with many 

 species, or, at least, varieties of them. We here say 

 attacked, because the advent of many of their forms 

 passes under the name of " blight ;" a term which at 

 once recognises their injurious tendency. 



Whether these epiphytes are the causes of the so- 

 called blighted conditions, or merely their effects, is 

 a subject upon which no little discussion has been 

 expended. We do not, however, mean, to re-open 

 the question here ; we will only remark, that in all 

 probability this very wide range of the lower tribes 

 of the vegetable kingdom is very variable in these 

 respects. 



Again : it will be impossible to enter into details 

 of the different species of epiphytes. We shall hope, 

 therefore, to elucidate their natural history, in so far 

 as the farmer is concerned, by pointing out the more 

 general facts connected with the following forms : — 



1. Uredo segetum — Smut or dust-brand of wheat, barley, and 



grasses. 



2. Uredo caries (Tittetia) — Bunt ^ 



3. Uredo rubigo — Bed gum or red robin > f h t 



4. Uredo linearis } ai _ .. ., , „ f 

 „ _ . . . . t — otraw-rust, or " mildew 1 



5. jfuccima grammis ) J 



