6 O?! Blight in Wheat. 



early wheat from Caroline county Virginia, which ripen- 

 ed the latter end of June or beginning of July, enabled 

 them to resume the cultivation of that species of grain. 



To prevent the extension of the evil in the crop, 

 when once it has made its appearance, Mr. Marshall 

 strongly urges the propriety of "cutting the grain so soon 

 as we perceive it struck therewith ; it may lie he says, 

 on the stubble until the straw be firm and crisp enough 

 to set up in sheaves, without adhering to the bindhig 

 places ; allowing it to remain in the field, until the grain 

 sliall have received the nutriment which the straw may 

 be able to impart. Where wheat, he says, has been 

 grown on lammas land, and the ground to be cleared by 

 tlie first of August, he has known crops cut green 

 as grass, and to be carried and spread upon grass land 

 to dry. Yet the grain has been found to mature, and 

 always to afford a fine skinned beautiful sample. Ray 

 grass that is cut even while in blossom, is well known 

 to mature its seeds with the sap that is lodged in the 

 stems. Hence there is nothing to fear from cutting 

 wheat or other corn, before the straw be ripe.*" 



" It may be asked, in what manner the remedy is thus 

 effected. But to the practical farmer the fact is all that 

 is required. If it shall appear, that the fungus of wheat 

 requires a free supply of air to keep it alive, or in a 

 state of health and vigour, the effects of cutting down 



[* In confirmation of Mr. Marshall's theory it may be men- 

 tioned, that the ears of Indian corn, will harden and dry, 

 although the stalks be cut off three weeks before they are ripe, 

 provided they be set up in shocks in the field, or along the 

 fences.] 



