236 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



ing a continued stream through the wheat for som* 

 hours, it is probable that simple water might be em- 

 ployed for this purpose as effectually as any saline 

 solution. But, as this would require more labour 

 than is dc.sinible, and as the salts, &c., employed 

 a^e beneficial in other ways, by protecting the seed 

 from vermin, and ministering to the future vigour of 

 the plants, steeps are generally and very properly 

 adopted." 



If lime be employed, it is recomnrmdjd to prepare 

 it by mixing "one pound of fresh lime with three 

 gallons of boiling water, allowing these to stand for 

 two hours, and the clear liquid then to be poured off 

 and immediately used. In this liquor the wheat 

 should be soaked for twelve hours, stirred twice or 

 thrice during the time, and then mixed upon a floor, 

 with the powder made by pouring three gallons 

 [pints'!] of boiling water upon five pounds of lime." 



Mr. Johnson has had no experience with lime 

 himself; but he has witnessed many experiments 

 with stale urine and a solution of common salt. He 

 thinks the latter the most agreeable ; and, although 

 both were completely effective, he has used the salt, 

 as being most cleanly as well as convenient. His 

 mode is to wash the seed with pure water, skim off 

 the floating light grains, and then soak it twelve 

 hours in a pickle made with common salt, strong 

 enough to float a hen's egg. Mr. Johnson is satis- 

 fied, from experiments he made, and which he details, 

 that the soil is one source of infection, and that salt 

 is an antidote to this infection ; and he thinks the 

 truth of his opinions is confirmed by the fact " that 

 fields in the vicinity of the sea are rarely injured, 

 and never extensively, by the ravages of the smut. 



WHY IS IT BEST TO BURY MANURE 1 



Animal matters decompose with facility when 

 acted upon by moisture and air, the greater propor- 

 tion of their elementary parts making their escape 



