ON MELDEW, OR MILDEW. 
41 
being more forward in filling than the other, for the whole 
mischief takes place in a few days, perhaps a few hours ; and 
where the grain has received the requisite supply of nutriment 
the circulation is diminished or suspended, and there is no 
danger of injury from the canals breaking their banks and 
overflowing. 
^ The grain in the same inclosure is often partially injured ; 
in low and damp spots, or where it is lodged, for want of the 
requisite circulation of the air to dissipate the moisture, the 
injury is great from mildew ; when in the higher and drier 
parts of the same field, it is protected from injury, by a freer 
circulation preventing the mischief by carrying off the excess 
of moisture and promoting a healthy transpiration from the 
plants. 
The elasticity of plants favors their being put in motion 
by the wind, and this no doubt increases the circulation of the 
sap, in the same way that motion in animals promotes the cir- 
culation of the blood ; and, at the same time it favors the 
evaporation of moisture and promotes a healthy condi- 
tion. On this principle, it is supposed that good may arise 
from passing a rope extended across the ridges of wheat in 
such a manner as to communicate motion to the stalks, and in 
some measure dissipate the excess of moisture on the princi- 
ple of fanning, as has been recommended by some writers 
on the subject of mildew. But perhaps the most effectual 
plan of guarding against this fatal disease would be to seek for 
and sow only the earliest varieties of wheat, which fill before 
the season arrives most likely to be accompanied by that con- 
dition which is the cause of injury. — Agricola. 
Farmer's Cabinet. 
vol. vn. — no. i. 
