The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1844-09-05

THE SMUT IN WHEAT.

From Ire Amsrican Farmer.
THE SMUT IN WHEAT.
In locking over The Prices Currents IN
the chief wheat markets this summer. we
have noticed unusual quantities Of smuiiy
wheat. and consequent reductions in The
prices between such lots and sound
whe,L The existence Of Ihs disease
should not be permitted among farmers
AID wheat growers, a uHfailing presen-
tive means are wholly within The control
Of al. Unlike the Rusf. rrrr Smut may
b. prevented. by q very simple aud uneK-
pensive process. Such being The case. as
the disease not only lessons the product
10 very great extent. but Jepreciaies the
money value Of the grain, and impairs The
quality Of the 1Our made from il, common
prudence, and becoming attention 10
ones interest. would seem 10 indicate.
that every wheat grower should take the
necessary precaulion with his seed wheat.
10 prevent the unpleasant recurrence Of
the disease. All experience Of wheat
growers go TO prove. beyond controversy,
that smuliy wheat, sown without prepa-
ration. will produce slnutty wheat. where.
as, when prepared, even that which had
been previously blackened with The fun
gus, yields q grain entirely exempt from
the parasitical enemy of The plant.
II "a not our purpose now 10 enter into
an examination Of the various supposed
causes which tend 10 produce The diesse;
Tor. al best. the opinions Of the various
writers must be supposed 10 be mere spe-
eulalions, as there are scarcely any two
who agree upon the subject. Nor shall
we attempt TO describe the appearance OF
the grain when affected by il, as all such
Information is unnecessary, the expert
ence Of every wheat grower having en-.
sbled him 10 anticipate Us in that part Of
our information: il 10, therefore, sufficient
10 the object we have in view. 20 point
out sure and effeciusl remedy, and al
the same time 10 urge 10 upon all wheat
growers to avail themselves Of il the pre-
sent fall.
The preventive means used, consist OF
various sleeps, in which the seed wheat is
% he immersed for IL or % hours pre-
sious 10 being sown. These are.
!. A brine made Of common salt.
Q. A ley made Of ashes.
3. ley made OF lime-and
4 Stale urine.
Each 10 be graduated 10 strength that
will aoat an egg or a potaloe. Salt is
probably The best.
Alter the wheat shall have been thus
soaked or stepped the requisite time. il
shoald be drained through basket or
seive. and dried. either in lime or ashes,
taking care 10 add sufficient quauti'y Of
either to cover the grains well. While
The seed wheat may he in The sosk, il
should be stirred two or three times well;
the light or imperfect grains as hey may
float upon the surface to be skinned of
and fed 10 the stock.
The most perfec, and eiiec,ual method
Of treating the seed wheat, would he, TO
wash il prior To putting !, in soak. BY this
process YOU make assurance douhly sure;
though we do no, consider il indispensa-
bly, necessary, as the soaking and busting
will answer without it, unless, indeed,
the grain he more smut'y than usual.
|, would be well to change the soak,
after every parcel &c wheat may have
been soaked in it; and il is important that
the grain, as taken out, and dried, or dus.
ted in lime, or ashes. should be immedi-
aiely sown and covered. Ii may remain
for 10 hours in the soak without dam
ger Of impairing its rege,atlve properties.
though there is peril Of that effect being
produced, should the grain be permitted
to remain any considerable length Of time
msown after having been taken out oi
the soak aud powdered with either lime
or ashes.
That The smut is an infectious disease,
there is MT the slightest room for doubt;
for innumerahle experiments prove the
fact; hut il is equally true, that it is con-
trollahle bv r sort Ia the simple mems
we have pointed out. Then, why should
it be permitted to exist and interfere with
the interests of the farmer!
Besides the certainty Of exemptlng The
product from the disease, the soak ope-
rates hene6oiallv, in promoting an earlier
termination. and by urging forward the
young wheat plants to form rootleis, thus
en,renching themselves in the earth sui
ficen, depth. and tlefying the bad effects
resulting from frosts and alterations be-
tween the freezing and thawing points o.
the atmosphere.
We have before called the attention 81
our readers 10 this snhject, andrevert TO il
now. as the approaching seeding time
seems to render the occasion a fit one Il
elicit attention.