On Soiling Cattle. 339 



it freely until the first crop gets rather old, when it pro- 

 duces what is termed a salivation or slobbering ; this 

 may proceed either from the suckers of the second crop 

 springing from the roots, or from the poisonous sap 

 (which is supposed to be produced at this season) ris- 

 ing up into the old stem ; or by the decaying under 

 leaves of the plant disposed at this time, from some hid- 

 den cause to collect poisonous properties, for it is said 

 the grain of wheat sometimes becomes highly impreg- 

 nated with poison from damage sustained while stand- 

 ing in the field ; but as insects of various descriptions 

 have generally been thought the primary cause of most 

 'of the evils attending vegetation, and men of superior 

 information confidently assert, that the smut and mil- 

 dew in wheat are occasioned by them, and it may here- 

 after be discovered that insects are the cause of this ma- 

 lady in clover, and as the ravages of those have been 

 generally periodical, it seems to accord with the prevail- 

 ing opinion, that clover has not long been affected in 

 this way. The person ,vvho has cut grass for my cattle 

 during the three years oi" soiling, has frequently inform- 

 ed me, that after long continued rains, or drifting and 

 moist weather, the red clover got affected with a rusty 

 appearance on the stalks, which he considered the cause 

 of the rejection of it by cattle. I have observed this ap- 

 pearance on well saved second crop hay, yet it excited 

 but little attention until very lately. If insects are the 

 cause of this evil, perhaps with proper glasses, traces of 

 their ravages may now be discovered in the stalks of 

 the second crop hay, if not, the ensuing summer will 

 afford ample scope for investigation. 



