.«0 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the smut-plant. These spores germinate, and the young 

 plants penetrate the substance of the growing corn-plant. 

 The whole stalk and leaves are more or less aflectcd with the 

 fungus, but the spores are only formed in a few favorite 

 places, the leading of which is the ear. The affected grains 

 are first noticed of nnusual size; they soon develop to larger 

 dimensions, become soft throughout, and finally the interior 

 turns into a black, v(^orthless mass of smut-spores. Some- 

 times the smut is formed in the tassel, and in bad cases black 

 bunches are produced on the joints of the stem and the mid- 

 ribs of the leaves. Sinntted gi'ain is injurious to stock, acting 

 both as a poison and a mechanical irritant. On account of 

 the grain being closely covered by the husks, the piesenc<' 

 of the smut at times is not manifest until the mature state is 

 reached. The most available method of destroying the pest 

 is to go throuofh the field before cuttiniy time and remove 

 and burn all smutted ears and other aflected parts. If the 

 smut-plant enters the corn from spores clinging to the grains 

 when planted, it is to be expected that a thorough cleaning of 

 the grain would be a well-advised precaution. Soaking the 

 grain in a weak solution of blue-storicor blue vitriol (sulphate 

 •of cop[)er), followed by rolling in lime, has proved of value. 

 The uses to which Indian corn is put are most diversified 

 and numerous, being interwoven with the daily interests of 

 nearly every family in this and many other lands. A foot- 

 sore and weary traveller in a tropical country came to the 

 luit of a hospitable native. His thirst was slaked by a sour 

 liquid and his hunger was satisfied with various savory 

 dishes. When asked the source of all these substantial re- 

 freshments the host replies, "My cocoanut tree." Water 

 is obtained from the green fruit, and a delicate flesh from it 

 when ripe. The vessels in which the foods are served are 

 made out of the shells of the nuts. The wood of the cocoa- 

 nut tree furnishes the material for the construction of the 

 cabin, and the broad leaves make the covering of the roof. 

 The fibre of the foliage is woven into clothing, mats, sails of 

 ships and all sorts of cordage. The delicate oil from the 

 fruit is burned in a dish for an evening light. Having the 

 •cocoanut, the native is possessed of nearly all the necessities 

 of life. As the traveller sets out on his journey his kind 



