The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-10
RUST IN WHEAT.

RUST IN WHEAT.
We stated in our last issue that at The theory
of rust, as entertained by most farmers with whom
we converse, is correct" we would discuss the
many reasons why "underdralaIng and suesoh
blowing in preparing the land, and manuTlnS with
vegetable instead Of animal mnnurcs, and salt,
lime or ashes" would prove somewhat Of pre-
tentative The theory is this: "that from the
superaburdance OF rain, cloudy and damp weather
that causes the cap to ucre more rapidly than
can be taken up and conveyed by the little circu-
lating ducts they, being tender and brittle from
the same causes, burst and the sap that should
feed the stalk ard ear exudcs, and by some chem
ical action Of the atmosphere turns to a rusty
color" Now, if this be correct, understanding
conveys away all superintendent water collected
during the winter before the wheat begins to
grow. Subsoiling prepares the underso to
receive, out of the way of the growing wheat in
spring, any excess Of rain; the mellow soil merely
holding it by capillary attraction, to be taken up
in the rightful proportion by the plant without
producing overluxuriance. Vegetable manures
tend to the production Of fruit, and do not stimu-
late the growth Of the stalk and leaves of plants
as animal manure. Ashes and lime strengthen
the body Of the stalk, while salt acts as it were
intellectually by killing the minute insects that
.,n-ey upon the root and sap. But with modest
Intolerance to those who entertain the above theory,
since our last issue have taken some pains
them.
The rust, as a disease OF wheat, is as old a. thu
cultivation of the wheat itself History speaks
Of time when this great crop free from
it. Every year, and wherever wheat is cultivated,
in whatsoever cline, rust exists as sure and
tain attendant Of the wheat crpp--as much
the worm is Of the tobacco 1t is spoken Of IN
the Bible under the name Of mildew; and this is
she Oldest account VIC have OF the wheat crop. 1t
has hpcn known in all countries and snake of bV
the oldest writer's, both OF prose and poetry. The
disease, rust, then Is the effect OF minute plant
of the same genus rs the smut, belonging to the
,,rcat tribe Of "iungi''-t the connecting link be-
animal and vegetable life The roots Of
this little plant enter the pores Of the wheat stem,
and being nourshed by the sap that should feed
the seed, the grain necessarily rcrshes for want Of
suscpancc-that is, when there are plants enough
TO utsO;b most of the sap, the number being great
ly increased IN cloudy, cool and rainy weather,
under which conditions they increase to such an
.alarmir" extent as to be noticed " every one.
From the very nature of this disease there is no
preventative The seed of the fungus can be
blown for miles by the wind-so should farmer
succeed ia destroying 1t in his fields, the first
breeze Of the morn would wait the secd from his
neighbours field But there is a complete remedy
for the disease, when taken in time.
Our space will not permit Us TO pursue this
subject further. We hope to refer to it again,
when we shall discuss the remedy, with other
facts connected with this disease which we hope
will prove entertaining to our readers, the lar
ger portion Of them Interested in wheat grow
ing.---Nonntoit Erylc
RELATIONSHIP DIsowNLp-The New Orleans
Delta, OF the Goth ult., relates the following:
On Saturday last, party landed above Carroll
ton from the enemy : ships, ana proceeding to the
abandoned Notifications, inspected them ana tore
n ch hoy
flying over the woI Ks.
Returning down the leyee, the officers met
family of ladies and Children accompanied by
their servant. The Fedcrals addressed themselves
first to the ladies, and expressed bopc that the
presence Of the feet was not n cause of fear to
them We will relate verbatim the conversation:
that ensued:
Mrs B.--That sensation, sir, is unknown to
Ofhcer.-NIadam, may I ask you if there is any
Union sentiment here?
Mrs. B.-None sir, that l am aware of-cer-
tainly none among the ladies'
Othcer-Thcn We may take it for granted there
IS none among either sex, as the ladies generally
20 with the gentlemen political questions.
Mrs b am confident, sir, your inference as
to the entire absence Of any Union sentiment is
correct. As to the ladies following the gentle
men on political questions, beg YOU to under
stand that however it may be in your section, the
ladies here advocate that only which is just and
honorable.
Officer, turning his attention to one of the
servants. )-Well sis, can You tell me if all the
troops have left YETI
Nancy being for moment quiet, the lady said:
"Nancy, why don't You answer your brother p
Nancy with great Indignation )-Don't you
call me sis again. l don't want no Yankee for
brudder.
The whole Federal party passed IN without
another word
RSThe Tennessee papers say Andy Johuson's
State Convention at Nashville, WAS complete
tzzle- gentleman from Sparta, who was at
Knoxville on Monday. reports less Union scn,i-
ment in Middle Tennessee than when the Fcderals
entered it. The opinion is becoming current that
me Satrap will evacuate the City before macy
aays.-He is said to be living in mortal terror and
never ventures out, to answer the calls o.
nature, without guard of Federal soldiers tramp
ing at his heels
JOHN A. LANCASTER g. SON,