CEREAL GRASSES. 21 



you might suppose it to be carved out of ivory ; its flour 

 makes moderate bread, and its straw is very good for 

 thatching. There are many species of the Triticum 

 family characterized by the name of Spelts, which, 

 though inferior to the true wheat, are serviceable as 

 food for man in times of famine, and are useful for 

 cattle. 



Various dangers threaten the valuable wheat crop at 

 one or other crisis of its existence. Along the eastern 

 districts of Britain, the harsh chilling east winds in 

 spring, and the bright April sunshine, followed at night 

 by keen frost, destroys the life of many of the young 

 plants, and when the bloom is out, cold easterly rains, 

 mists, and fogs injure it and predispose it to fly, rust, 

 and mildew. Not less dangerous to the crops in the 

 western districts are the heavy Atlantic rains and winds, 

 and the pervading dampness of the air often impairs the 

 quality of the grain. The best districts for wheat are 

 the south-eastern and midland counties of England, and 

 the eastern counties of Scotland. 



Wheat crops are sometimes greatly injured by the dis- 

 ease called bunt or black-ball. This is caused by a very 

 minute fungus which fixes upon the ovary, or occasion- 

 ally upon the stem. It takes up its position at an early 

 stage in the life of the plant, before the spike has emerged 

 from the enfolding sheath, and far from injuring its 

 growth, it has been observed that the bunted plants are 

 generally taller than the rest of the crop. In former 

 times this disease prevailed to an extent that was quite 

 calamitous, and even in the present day one-third of a 

 crop is sometimes affected by this fungus. Mr. Berkeley 

 relates that on one occasion he saw a very bunty crop on 

 the land of a first-rate farmer. On expressing surprise, 



