62 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [March, 



though it may not be absokitely infallible, may be relied upon 

 with almost entire confidence. 



That the two kinds of smut are different in their nature, is 

 evident from a well established fact. An attempt to commu- 

 nicate the disease to other plants of wheat, by sprinkling the 

 powder of some of the first kind of smut upon them, was not 

 successful. But the application of the powder of the latter 

 kind of smut referred to, has, in repeated trials, proved infec- 

 tious. 



There are other diseases to which wheat is subject, which 

 may be only dilFerent aspects of those to which I have alluded ; 

 or which arise from causes not well ascertained. Natural 

 science has done something in the investigation of their nature ; 

 but as yet, amidst the conflicting theories and conjectures 

 which have been started, there is little solid ground to rest 

 upon. 



Insects. — Wire Worm. — Wheat, besides being subject to 

 various diseases, has enemies to contend with among the insect 

 tribes, which are formidable and often destructive. The wire- 

 worm is well known to farmers ; and several cases of injury 

 from his ravages are mentioned in the reports. These are prin- 

 cipally found in lands, which have been some time in grass and 

 newly broken up. On this account where they abound, to 

 sow wheat on green-sward ploughed up, would not be advisa- 

 ble. A farmer in Williamstown, whose land was much infest- 

 ed with these worms, and whose corn crop always suffered se- 

 verely from them when it was planted upon grass land newly 

 broken up, found great advantages in ploughing his land in the 

 fall, by which operation he thought many worms were des- 

 troyed by the frost ; and then taking a crop of oats, which 

 they were not likely to injure, before he took any other crop. 

 This was followed by corn, and then by wheat. They are 

 not disposed to stay in cultivated land, but prefer that which 

 is in grass. Another farmer in Templeton, whose statements 

 seemed entitled to confidence, is in the habit of putting some 

 salt in the compost heap, with which he manured his corn. 



