1872 The Western Ponvologist and Gardener. 105 



culent, saccharine juices, and reduce it to a bard, dry, wrinkled, and useless husk. The 

 disease called smut, Incidental to corn crops, by which the farina of the grain in the whole 

 body of the seed is converted into a black, soot-like powder. Mr. Berkley tells us that 

 means used in preparing seed corn against what he calls "bant" may be effectual against 

 "smut." But the Bant Tilktia C'Tries, is a parasitic fungus, having globose spores, with a 

 cellular outer coat, in which it differs from other Ustilaginei. For this Mr. .Berkley gives 

 a remedy — " to wet the seed corn thoroughly with a strong solution of Glauber salts, 

 and then dust it with quick lime." The spores of the ( Uredo Stgetum) smut are so much 

 more fully dispersed, that the remedy in this case is questionable. Mildew on cereals is 

 caused by the Paccinia Grancinis; brent by the development of Uredo Caries, and rust by 

 the action of Vrodo Rubigo, The production known as Ergot or Spurred Rye, is a fungus 

 disease, producing alarming distress when ground up, in rye-flour and eaten in bread. 

 This fungus is known as Spermrulia Glavus, which is perhaps more properly called Oidhim 

 Abortifadens, from the uses made of it. as a stimulus upon the uterus. There can be no 

 doubt that to it may be attributed much of the injury sustained by flocks and herds either 

 in the shape of gangrene, or by causing them to slip their young, at least where the fun- 

 gus is abundant as in some seasons, and flocks have access to it. It is well to be on the 

 lookout. 



The species formerly included in Vredo, so named from the Latin Uro, I burn, many of 

 them are now referred to other genera. The modern group of Vredinci, smut or dust 

 brand, is now referred to the genus Vstilago. Steeping corn in a solution made of one 

 pound blue vitriol dissolved in two gallons of water, thrown on eight bushels of wheat, 

 stirring until every grain is wetted, it will dry itself in an hour or two, and be fit for 

 sowing. It is nevertheless doubtful as regards the immunity of the crop, although the 

 fungus is to a great extent destroyed by the dressing of vitriol. 



We have lately been alarmed, and there is some reason for it, that numerous diseases 

 which "flesh is heir to," arise from inhaling fungoid sporules that float in the air and are 

 so minute as to require the most powerful microscopes to detect them ; what with ani- 

 malculcE and pestilential vapors, against which we can hardly protect ourselves, unless 

 sanitary regulations are thoroughly established and presided over by those who under- 

 stand the whole subject, otherwise we may as well be in blissful ignorance, and jog 

 along as best we may. 



On one occasion, in conversation with an aged fisherman, who would be out during the 

 entire night, exposed to malaria, damp and fungoid effluvia, I expostulated with him for 

 using so much whisky and tobacco as being a great evil. He replied, "Why sir, you 

 would get the shakes in less than no time, laying about loose, as I do, without the use of 

 whisky and tobacco." Thus it is, the old adage, it takes "oile devil to destroy another," 

 thought I, and passed on, leaving the old man in his philosophic conclusions, whether 

 true or false. I considered it too a hard case to meddle with. I however cannot endorse 

 the old man's notion. Middleton says : 



"If men of good lives. 

 Who by their virtuons actions stir up others 

 To noble and religious imitation, 

 . Receive the greater glory after death. 



As sin must needs confess: what may they feel 

 In hight of torments, and in weight of vengeance? 

 Not only they themselves not doing well, 

 But set a light up to show men to hell! 



Protection of D^r^arf Pear Trees. Pear Trees Among Evergreens, 



By W. H. Yeomans, Cohtmbia, Conn. 



Ed. Pomologist and Gardener : — In the attempt to produce fruit, it is of the utmost 

 importance that all of the various modes of procedure that have resulted in success 

 should be thoroughly understood, and it is somewhat of a wonder that there is not more 

 written upon this point. There is no fruit cultivation that requires a greater amount of 



