Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-17
Gnnqer's Glurkahrlrg Registrr
TO PREVENT NUT IN WHEAT.

In advance of the publication of the
October No. of the Southern Planter,
(which will appear in few days) we
have been politely furnished, by the en-
terprlslng proprietor, with proofshsets Of
the following article, which will be found
deeply interesting to the farmers of our
State.
tFrom the Southern Planter, for october.l
MR. EDITOR There has been an unu-
sual prevalence of smut in many of the
wheat crops of parts of this and the ad-
joining county of Buckingham, at the last
harvest; and as blue vitriol affords a con-
weeks ago, promised several friends to
furnish, for the September number of the
Southern Planter, a short article desert
bing the mode of using it. 1t was deem
ed desirable that it should appear in the
September number, in order to give time
to those who might wish to try it, in good
season, sufficient supply of the vitriol,
as 1t is seldom found in the country stores,
IN Quantities sufficient for agricultural
purposes. An absence of three weeks
from home, to which returned but few
days since, must be my apology for send
ing It to you SO nearly upon the issue of
your monthly publication.
l will mention, in the outset, rs ne
cessary preliminary, that the wheat inten
ted for seed should be made as clean as
a good wheat-fan can make it. Then the
operator, having provided himself with an
iron pot, in which to dissolve the blue vi
triol, and vessel of suitable capacity for
the wheat to be stepped, in the following
manner Dissolve five pounds ofblue vi
tiol in hot water, and add as much cold
water as will entirely cover five bushels
of wheat, which should be gently poured
IN, or, what is better, be passed through
riddle. in order that the light and defec-
tive grains may float on the surface and
be skinned off. After being repeatedly
stirred and cleaned of light grains, let it
remain in the liquor from four to six hours
but may remain twelve hours, or long
sr, without injury. 1t is then to be taken
out, drained and rolled in plaster; or, if
that is not at hand, may be spread upon
floor, and, with occasional stirring, dri-
ed sufficiently for sowing. A second five
bushels may then be put in the liquor,
Ito which as much water should be pre-
vlously added as will supply the loss of
quantlty,or volume, occasioned by absorp-
ton OF the first parcel proceeding in
the same manner as at first and after it
third, but somewhat less quantity may
follow. 1t is not deemed advisable to re-
duce the strength of the solution too much,
and 1t is important that the liquor should
rise at least half an inch above the sur
face of the wheat, when first put in, as
the swelling of the grain will, in a few
hours, raise it to the surface Before a
fourth parcel of wheat is put in, an adddi-
tlonal portion of the ritriol-dissolyed as
etore directed-at the rate of a pound of
Eltrlol for every three bushels of wheat
must be given, with the necessary guam
!Ity OF cold water; and SO proceed until
he liquor becomes foul or turbid, when
fresh preparation must be made.
The foregoing l consider the most con-
enIent, and have, in repeated trials,
1und it to be the most certain Of all the
emedies for smut 1 have ever tried or
reard suggested. 1t is also a cheap rem
edy- The blue vitriol can be bought, for
agricultural purposes, in quantities of
twenty-five pounds, at ten cents per ID.
know at least that Messrs. Adie IL Gray
md MIR. R. R. Duval of Richmond, will
urnish it at that price. The cost, there
ore, will be less than four cents per bu-
shell but if those who may give it fair
trial do not find in an increased vigor of
growth and product of healthy grain
more than double compensation for all
the cost and labor of the preparation,
their experience will greatly differ from
mine.
Respectfully, your most obedient SER
want, JOHN p. WILSON.
CUMBERLAND, Aug. "a, 1859.