THE ROMANCE OF THE WHEAT KERNEL 85 



This happened to the plant just adjoining Wheat- 

 let and with whom he had become fast friends. One 

 day his friend complained of feeling badly. The 

 young head of wheat just fomiing took on a with- 

 ered appearance, while one of the new kernels began 

 to turn pink. A few days later several more kernels 

 on this head turned the pinkish color, just as the 

 old husk on the ground had, and all the time the 

 voice of the diseased plant became weaker, until one 

 day all signs of life ceased and Wheatlet was unable 

 to get any response whatever. The entire head of 

 wheat had now become a mass of pink mold, and 

 all around him Wheatlet could see other plants 

 similarly affected. 



However, Mr. Rooster couldn't explain it, nor 

 could Bob White, Peter Rabbit, or Meadow Lark 

 unravel the mystery. 



Then one day Farmer Good came through the 

 field and in his hand he held some wheat plants that 

 had the same appearance as Wheatlet's friend. He 

 came direct to the spot and, reaching down, pulled 

 out his diseased friend by the roots and carried him 

 away. The next day, in conversation with Bob 

 White, Wheatlet told Bob all about the incident. 



"Well, Farmer Good is a wonder when it comes to 

 finding out things," remarked Bob White. "He will 



