Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-10-23
a GRTCUL TURAL.

T. the Editor Of the .7mer,cnl Farmer
SIR There Is a custom very generally accredited as
philosophical and much practced by the better farmers
which as igter from the data shall give has no f,un
Gaiin in science in fact refer TO The practice Of
r'rrpng seed grain in saturated solutions of different
ss. l1r tie purpose Of proeciing the young plant a
CalaSt the dpr7dauns Of destructive insects to ncrease
rs growth e protect it against the diseases to which
i i incident. have devoted cd deal Of attention 4.
question made experiments myself (reppai NO those
ave seen stated ii agricultural jurnals) and observed
a experiments ofcthers. and have never seer any app
c4a 70 seed grain, in the form of snaks of the leas an
Pecla ne vantage with the exception, that grain thus
seeped viii vegeate than ii would if sown dry
owing 10 the water absorbed in the sleeping process
is unnecessary for trouble you 0: your readers
with sheet or wo describing my experiments they
simple as planting two hills of corn or wheat side by
SIDE, the one Saked in saturated solution Of the salt
Hsed hr the experiment and the other in aqua pura and
~ nAte the results. which any can do without over
t.ying his patience. Let Us examine its claims 10 phio.
Ffphra character. and see if it will harmonise witt,
known principles Of vegetable physiology. Suppose we
take atpere. (pbasss nitrai) salt much used for hi,
purpose he first thing that will puzzle tyro in ex-
am mig the literature, Gas found in agricultural ,urnas)
relative to the utility of the SALT used steep for seed
grain. Is the great number of designs in its application
Ne turner VIII design to project his wheat from the
ilrSSan fly by soaking lis seed wheat in it (u) An
other "l assign as reason for his application Of it. that
II secaeS his wheat against The smut; ~ third regards
! IS sure prphylacllc against rust. SC. (c) and a
iuT.h farmer VIII swear that his crop is doubled ifnot
Ell BY the application Of this eep TO his seed grail.
this c1n;raetv If sentiment relative to its mous op,r
alu IS strong argument at once. against its operation
II ALL In farmer who s,aks his wheat to protect il a
ai>t fhe fly. must believe that the iy or its larye is
IN me seed grain at the time he soaks it, or believe that
he nfe absorbed by the seed grain will be conveyed in
rs growing plant. and that ii will there prove defence
anSt tbs insect either By destroying il or proyno Of
1sire I" IT, 10 the first part of the prop siin we oh
&C. because II Is lucontestably established that the 1v
1t no time occupies the grain lis nidus but is at first
rr-i'ed "a The What leaf OR the rather lis euo is
h-r- IHcuoaed aud makes lis wav tn the cr,wu or rnl
r plant. ami from there into the stalk, consequently
'.a 7"ep can be Of NJ with this design Even ad
M inG that the fly IS lmbeiied in the seed grain al the
e IS stepped. and fhai nire is deeierous 10 il wh,,
oi nave We That the grain absr5sa sufficient quantity
destroy II This paint sltl-d lei us see if the panl
derives protective virtue from The nitre absorbed by its
serd gram. " may assume, with much certainty that
ihe grain does moi absorb than LOO part Of It's
weight OF nlire. and also that at the time the
IL deposits lis ava Qfn the spring. the weight Of the
pant exceeds That Of the seed grain so times. Now
"'l 'hi' Tue snail quantity Of nitre alsJrbed BY the
re" gram is all present In the psnt al this time the
quantity must necessarily he relatively small as TO be.
'hieIceEoie 10 the delicate test and consequently
VI 4 n 'isa as Designed Bni growing plant does M,
eeu f1h rs SEED: Il leeds from The earth and nn The =,
h'osneF % The functions Of the seed is I, furnish
s WA !A' PEI and having performed Ibis ofi q il