78 KEMKDIKS. 



any time propagated by rubbing sound wheat 

 against that which is infested by the fungus. 

 If, tlien, the seed be sown in this condition, 

 the result may be easily predicted. The 

 method also of counteracting the evil at once 

 suggests itself. It is merely to cleanse the 

 wheat which is about to be sown, from all the 

 bunt which may have attached itself to it by 

 reason of its unctuous character. The princi- 

 ple of effecting this object clearly must be, to 

 use means to convert the oily matter which 

 causes it to stick obstinately, into a saponaceous, 

 or soapy matter, which will allow it to be 

 readily washed off. Chemistry here comes to 

 our aid. An alkali will convert oil into soap ; 

 and this is the basis of all effectual dressing, as 

 it is called, of the seed-corn. Almost every 

 district has its peculiar dressing, but the best 

 are merely modifications of this principle. 

 Whatever other ingredients may be used, the 

 effective constituent is some alkaline matter in 

 the form of a ley. Lime, . which possesses 

 alkaline properties, has accordingly been not 

 unfrequently resorted to : it must not however 

 be too much slaked in mixing, or it loses these 

 properties, and thus often fails. Common 

 potash, and substances containing ammonia, as 



