Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-03-17
Horticultural Z plrmN,
Rust and other Fungi on Wheat
and other Plants.

Rust and other Fungi on Wheat
and other Plants.
4 fungus is II cellular plant with
ont flowers, but prOpagated by mi
mute seeds, either cOlorlcsS or not,
hut never grcrn-having an oily
covering, hy which the seeds adhere
To other plants, Fungi live ON the
sap oi'lhcplaut,on which they grow;
they most usually grow on sub
stances in state of decay, but
many attack substances in which
decay is not aSccrtuinublc, or It com.
mcnciug, hasten it beyond rccovc-
ry. The simplest form ola fungus
is common mouldincSs such aS may
he seen on old leather, or dccaycd
fruit When seen through micro
scope some of these tungi apncar Ia
be- Il mass al cellular tissue. the cen,
re ~ which IL all seed. THIS at
length dries mp, leaving on V the
dusty seed, t, hc scattered by tie
WIND ~ may Ice seen IN the com,
mon pun ball SO minute and num-
crOu> are these seed that it is no,
easy to conceive Il place whence they
are excluded Those which grow ON
matter in which decomposition has
BEGUN, may well be called the Sc6r-
rRyerS of nature: but others attack
tissues in full health and vigor.-
Fungi are catublh rs the mushroom;
poisonous. Us in those causing milk
sickness; me licinul, rs crGOt; and
even luminous. rs may be seen in
dccavcd wood. &c, (FoX fire
The chief fungus that Injuries the
wheat plant and grasses, is called
Pmcinn;d, and appears in the form
of patches Of dust, differently col.
ored. and on all parts OF the plant
but the root. Another fungus, III.
pa-ea. similar to the first in many
respects, but is only found on the
Joints of the straw. Another is com
monty called miidf~, and csuscs u
black dust where the straw is ham
died. 1t is frequently seen in badly
cured oats and fodder. This is the
same that grows on old leather,
This never attacks plants until they
have been previously injured in
some way The most important fun
gus is called Treio or red rust. This
comes out on all parts Of the plant
above ground and is OF an orange
red-felds of wheat are cOlored by
it. and fears arise that the crop is
lost whenever this occurs; but it trc-
0ucntlv happens that few days OF
bright sunshine destroys the fungus;
but mischief has been done. and the
shrivcird grain at harvest proves it
The sooly powder on the grain OF
wheat, called Smut, is formed Of the
sporules Of another tred0 called
Tred .Seqct~m. 1t renders the whole
interior abortive. when the grain is
badly affected. These seed are so
small. that the diameter Of one has
been estimated at 1880 of an inch.
Another UredO called Bunt or IRE
do fatjda, attacks tho grain, convert
ing the interior Of the seed into an
oily, black, sinking paste. Some Of
the grasses are very much affected
BY it. SO are ears of corn. Nearl V
all plants are affected by some of
these organizations. Dry Rot, so
destructive to timber, is caused by
one of them. Moses threatened the
disobedicnt Israelites with .Wldem
It's appearance in England, has
caused many Prime Minister to
tremb!c for the security % his gov
crnmcnt The potato rot il supposed
t" il c.u,eI by fungus. SOis the
Nin.c;r plant : c, &c,
rhc trnpprtan' inquiry is, can We
~ ri r-..iiust their attacks. and save
;Lc cops from damage. Some few
experiments in chemistry have been
made known but rs yet littlethat is
satisfactory is positively known.
1t has been lound that the appli-
cation of any acid very small
quantity, to atbumen, will generate a
mould in eight days; but if Il neu-
trail salt Was present, no mould was
formed If salts of mercury was
added, the mould was Destroyed
Many other tests were applied, &c,
&c. All perfumes do actually stop
it. Fumes Of sulphur destroy it in
wine casks; hence, the direction to
fumigate wine vessels in making
wine-used by many persons who
do not know the reason why they
do it. This also destroys the mould
on the peach, &c. Soaking wheat in
n solution Of sulphate of copper,
destroys smut, DC. Cor. Chic Mer-
curry destroys il in wood (Kyan-
zing) Sulphatc of iron hastcns it,
as was proven on the Georgia State
Rail Road.
As for the Red Rust in Wheat,
chemistry must yet come to our aid.
We know that warmth and mOis-
ture are favorable to its production.
Might not the destruction of all
stubble and grass in the field by fire |
before planting wheat. destroy much |
of the seed, aud in this way limit its
production? MEDlCUS.
RAISE FRrIT-Thc South is con
stantly devOting more attention to
g., ,,..-;,.,r ~. I,,n. 4 1, - 81, .if g