232 DISEASES OF FIELD & GARDEN CROPS. [CH. xxvn. 



this material, which is a common cause of abortion, should 

 be raked together and placed out of the reach of the flocks 

 and herds. In districts notoriously subject to ergot the 

 scythe may be used in a similar manner at the flowering 

 time of grasses, for as the spores of the Claviceps attack the 

 young flowers, it is obvious that the ergots will be many 

 or few according to the number of grass flowers. 



