ERGOT. — OATS. 171 



per, the Dutch for which is Genever, from which comes 

 Geneva, contracted in Gin. 



Rye is subject to a fatal disease, known as ergot ; 

 and when attacked with it is often called spurred rye. 

 It is most destructive in wet seasons, and is commonly 

 ascribed to a fungous growth, the poisonous effects of 

 which, when taken into the system of either men or 

 animals, were observed as early as 1596. It is, fortu- 

 nately, not very prevalent in this country, but ■some- 

 times develops itself in rye, as well as in some of the 

 other grasses, as June grass and reed canary grass, and 

 in some other species. 



Oats. 



The Oat (Avena sativa) derives its English name from 

 a Saxon word signifying to eat; while its generic name, 

 avena, comes from a Latin word, signifying to desire, 

 from the fact that cattle are fond of it. 



This plant differs considerably, in appearance, from 

 either wheat, rj^e, or barley. It grows in panicles, 

 the calyx being two-valved or two-seeded ; the seeds 

 smooth, and one-awned ; the root annual ; the stem 

 growing from two to three feet high. The two glumes, 

 or the chaff of the calyx, are nerved, pointed at the 

 end, longer than the flower, and unequal. The two 

 flowers and seeds in each calyx are alternate, conical in 

 shape ; the smaller awnless, the larger furnished with a 

 strong, bent awn, of two colors. The branches of the 

 panicle are erect when green, but droop as the seed 

 ripens, from its weight. 



The only species cultivated for its seeds, the avena 

 sativa, has passed into many varieties, such as the Po- 

 tato Oat, the Siberian, the Tartarian, the Poland, the 

 White, the Black, the Horse-mane Oat, &c. The first is 

 undoubtedly one of the very best of these varieties. 



