74 



Management of Wheat. 



advantageous^ as it destroys the red-weed or poppy, and other 

 annuals that infest light land. For the destruction of the poppy 

 it is recommended to harrow when the soil is slightly crusted 

 with frost. 



When, from the extreme luxuriance of the crop in the spring, 

 there appears a probability of its being laid, the process of flagging 

 is resorted to as a preventive. Flagging is executed by means of 

 the bagging-hook or scythe, separatmg the flag or blade from the 

 stalk. This should be done about May, before the formation of 

 the ear ; and in doing it the stalks will require examination, that 

 the ears may not be cut off. 



7. The Diseases to which Wheat is liable. 



The principal disease^ and one which can be completely 

 guarded against by the seed undergoing preparation previous to 

 its being sown, is that which is commonly known among farmers 

 by the name of smut. 



This disease was formerly very common, but now smut-balls 

 among good farmers are seldom seen ; when they are found it 

 may be attributed to carelessness in preparing the seed. Tull 

 informs us that — 



Brining seed-wheat to prevent smut was first practised about the 

 year 1660, when a vessel of wheat was sunk near Bristol, and the grain 

 so much injured by salt water, that, though it would vegetate, it was 

 considered to be unfit for bread. It was taken out of the vessel at low- 

 water, and sown in different parts. It was free from disease at the 

 following harvest, when wheat in general happened to be smutty. This 

 accident led to the practice of brining." 



Salt water of sufficient density to float an egg is still extensively 

 used. A quantity of salt and water of the above density is pre- 

 pared in a tub, the wheat is put into the pickle, and, when stirred, 

 all the diseased or light grains will rise to the surface, which are 

 skimmed off. The wheat is then taken out of the brine, and a 

 sufficient quantity of new slaked lime sifted upon it to dry the 

 whole quantity. 



Some farmers wet their seed by throwing over it, when lying 

 in a heap, a quantity of urine ; it is then well mixed, and dried 

 with lime, as in the former case. 



Water poured on caustic lime, and then thrown on the wheat 

 while effervescing, is a plan adopted by many. 



But the cleanest, and perhaps the most efficacious, preparation 

 is that of blue vitriol (sulphate of copper) : 4 quarts of boiling 

 water poured on 1 lb. of blue vitrol is sufficient for three bushels 

 of wheat ; this is well mixed upon the floor with the grain, and 

 thrown into a heap on the night previous to the day the seed will 

 be wanted. 



