Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1859-11-03

expected immediately after sowing or
planting. But inasmUch as rain can never
be anticipated with absolute certainty,
this second case will hardly constitute an
exception 10 the general rule Of inadmis-
sibility.
! In addition to the mere soaking for the
purpose Of fastening termination, il is
also common TO use a variety Of chemical
substances, with a view either TO stimulate
the growth of the young plant, or 70 pre-
vent the Iavages of depredating insects
and animals, or Of some of the diseases
TO, which the plant in question may be IL
able. S.s11 er ai ,sgsl,g
OF the class Of chemical agents used to
stimulate the growth Of the plant, common
salt, nitrate of soda, lime, wood ashes,
saltpetre, nitric and sulphuric acids,
were formerly ia comman use. And
while we do not question the effect, we
nevertheless doubt the philosophy Of this
practice for the reason that forced
growths Of plants which ordinarily need
whole season for their development, and
are required to perfect their seed for the
perpetuation of the species, are necessa-
rily weak and unhealthy. IF the soil con-
tains the needed elements, and is proper
/ ly prepared, there can be no need of using
means Of stimulation; and. if those con-
ditions Of the soil are not present, then
such means viii avail nothing and may
even do harm. if, indeed, they produce
any result at all--which we are disposed
to question in view Of the facts that the
germ is fed in the first stages of growth
by the sture of foo1 contained within the
seed itself, and, that the amount of sti-
mulating substance adhering to the out
side Of the seed is but trifing at best,
and moreover in a situation not to be
available for the little rootlets, which
/ feed beyond the particles which immedi-
atelg surround the seed.
As preventive of disease, particularly
Of smut and carries, lime, common salt,
alum, copperas, blue vitriol and arsenic
are recommended though the accounts
are so conflicting that they can hardly be
relied on with great confidence. Nor ih
those cases in which beneficial effects
have plainly appeared to follow is the ra-
tionale determined.
Among the best preventives Of which
we have personal knowledge, we feel
warranted in recommending the follow
!. ing-wishing it distinctly understood,
however, that in nine cases out Of ten we
are able to trace the disease to some fault
of the seed, or the method Of cultivation /:
! /. Lime.-Into a vessel Of tepid water
some prefer urine-throw as much seed
as, when stirred, will allow the lighter
grain to rise to the surface that they may
be skinned away ; dip out, spread upon
the floor and sprinkle thereon freshly
slaLed lime, in the proportion Of about
one bushel to twelve; stir with shovel
until a thin coating Of the finely pulveriz-
ed lime adheres to every seed, and leave
for about ten hours; stir again, and finally
spread in thin layers to dry.
! Ashes, gypsum, &C., may be used in
like manner.
g. Blue vitrioI.-One or two ounces, to
the bushel, of this salt of copper, dissolved
in as much wafer as may be necessary to
/ thoroughly wet the grain, has been SO
often declared preventive of smut by
careful and reliable experimenters, that
of confidence in its value The wheat,
we acknowledge to considerable degree
when once wet with the solution milk
warm, should be allowed TO steep for about
one hour, and then spread out in an airy
place to dry.
To prevent the depradaIions Of animals
such as gophers, squirrels, mice, and va.
riOus worms, it has been proposed 10 steer
the seed In solutions of arsenic, copperas
&C.; and some have claimed that ihe
smoking of seeds would prove sufficient
There Is little doubt that the arsenic, il
used literally, will disturb the digestion
and consequently impair the appetite Ol
the d spredating animal. bat 10 make il
sure will involve considerable expense
: and the risk of more valuable life.
SaItpetre is also recommended; and
some are in the habit Of soaking in tan.
ner's oil. Turnip seed particularly, ]:
often treated in this way, and it is main.
taineu that the plant escapes the fly as a
consequence.
But we have already devoted more
space than we intended 10 a branch Of the
+ subject, upon which we are able 20 far.
nish bat little information. 1t is really
: important as a field for investigation, anc
we trust that some simple and harmless
compound may yet be discovered or manu-.
factOred which shall exactly and economi
cally meet the necessities Of the case
We have no doubt of the pracncability o.
the thing, and would urge the farmer t.
keep trying until it is done.
H.
j What Constitutes a Good Farmer