18 



atmosphere) are required. Their presence depends largely on 

 decaying vegetable matter in the soil. Sulphates and phosphates 

 of potash, soda, and lime, &c, are wanted for the formation of 

 seeds. 



Seeking for a remedy in another direction, there may be 

 discovered a substance which, when applied to the soil, or 

 the seeds, and imbibed by the plants, will act adversely 

 to the growth of fungoids, in the same way as bluestone (sul- 

 phate of copper) checks the " Dust Brand" (TJstilacjo segetum). 

 Thus in " Bust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould," Mr. C. Cooke 

 says, at page 81, " the spores of many species of fungi will not 

 germinate after saturation with certain chemical solutions. 

 One of the most successful remedies, and easy of application, is 

 a strong solution of Glauber's salts, in which the seed corn is 

 to be washed, and afterwards, while still moist, dusted over 

 with quicklime. The rationale of this process consists in the 

 setting free a caustic soda by the sulphuric acid of the Glau- 

 ber's salt combining with the lime, and converting it into sul- 

 phate of lime. The caustic soda is fatal to the germination of 

 the spore of ' bunt,' and probably also of smut and rust." 



