1^4 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. Vlt* 



state, it has been found to injure the seed, and 

 sometimes to ruin the crop altogether. 



Pickling wheat is beneficial in several respects. 

 By separating the weak from the sound grain, 

 it gives the best chance for a healthy and vigo- 

 rous crop. Soaked with salt water or urine, 

 and crusted around with lime, the seed is less 

 apt to be devoured by fowls. And it is found, 

 by experience, to prevent smut, a disease pecu- 

 liarly hurtful to wheat, as it not only diminishes 

 the quantity, but renders the sound grain less 

 valuable, as it must 'be washed and dried before 

 it can be made into flour, an operation which 

 requires considerable trouble and expence. It 

 must be confessed, that smut has appeared where 

 the seed has been pickled, but not so frequently 

 as where it has not. 



Various and ingenious have been the opinions 

 formed respecting the nature and cause of this 

 disease. Some have imputed it to vermin a- 

 mong the seed, some to wet and variable wea- 

 ther, and some to poverty of soil. But, whether 

 it be owing to any, or to all of these causes, the 

 business of the farmer is to adopt such methods, 

 as by trial and experience have been found most 

 effectual to prevent it. Pickling, especially with 

 stale urine, seems best adapted to kill vermin. 

 If the cause be poverty of soil, this may be re- 

 medied, by manure and proper cultivation ; and 

 if these two preventatives be constantly observ- 

 ed, it is probable that the danger arising from 

 the weather will not be great. 



4^, Seed. The quantity of seed depends up- 

 on the mode of culture, the state of the ground, 

 and the time of sowing. When sovai broad- 



