182 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



I have planted wheat in a rank compost of dung, which 

 from its first appearance in the autumn, during its growth 

 in the winter, and in the spring, maintained excessive lux- 

 uriance, but which was ultimately so reduced by rust as to 

 be rendered weak and incapable of bringing its seed to 

 perfection ; at the same time, and close alongside, I also 

 planted wheat in a pure and sweet sand, and supplied it 

 with a solution or infusion of rotten dung, by way of food. 

 This never appeared half so luxuriant as the other, but the 

 stalks or straw grew perfectly healthy and free from disease, 

 and the grain was of good quality. 



The following statement by Sir John Sinclair, as well 

 as what has been already quoted, will in every respect 

 be found to corroborate and sustain my observations and 

 opinions. 



He says, "As land in too rich a state is apt to produce 

 rust, it is found to be an effectual remedy, if, previous to a 

 crop of wheat, the dung is applied to a smothering crop, as 

 tares, hemp, &c. Indeed, after cole-seed, wheat is scarcely 

 ever known to be rusted. The general culture of that arti- 

 cle, and the use of Dutch ashes impregnated with saline 

 matter, tends greatly to the exemption from rust by which 

 wheat in Flanders is distinguished. 



" Potatoes, when the crop is large, have the same effect ; 

 in Flanders, where the wheat is never materially injured 

 by rust, potatoes are considered, in its best cultivated dis- 

 trict (the Pays de Waes), as the best preparation for that 

 crop. If too much dung occasion the propagation of fungi, 

 which there is reason to believe is the case, smothering 

 crops, by exhausting and diminishing the strength of the 

 dung, may take away that tendency." 



Undoubtedly the tares, cole-seed, potatoes, &c., growing 

 on the manured soil, must reduce, if not wholly consume, 

 its gross and over-luxuriant qualities, and time and expo- 

 sure effect a more complete decomposition and evolution of 

 its vitiating effluvia, and thus the great cause being re- 

 moved, the effect must cease. 



Sir John further says, "Mr. Knight is decidedly of 



