The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-04
LETTERS FROM PETERSBURG.
c.,,.,ronsenee Of the K,ehmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, May 30, 1867.

PETERSBURG, May 30, 1867.
.,,o repor,s from the country that
,,c rus, Is making its appearance on s"'
heat. but q little reflection Snou'u con-
,;nce farmers that it is too cary YET 10
oxnect AN assault from TINS aresdea enemy
There are two types of tins diseaser'h,
,ho rcd r,ast. which is comparatively II ho'
an,;reIv harmless, and when euectS SO
slight q Judgment on the stalks ana oiadcS
-. 70 he washed off by brisk shower ol
ss;n and the black rust, which penetrateS
100 The very organism Of the plant. Inc
rrrmer NAV be superinduccd at any pretty
Ill advanced stage Of the growth, as NJ
W. ,ar.,sen. moment, and is doubtless
n,ncrs II is well calculated TO produce
lam hpt being so easily detached, 1t docs
~, ,,rev ON the vital energies OF the
liant and the fears Of the farmer are
sneedily allayed. Ii is the other form
az rust which is so destructive. II also
is a fungus, and parasite. In the carr!
mari of June the air is filed with millions
nf spcrulcs. which fall upon all vegetation
alike. and if after the 10th of the month
the weather should be hot and suitry ana
steamipc. these sporulcs strike their roots
in blade and stem, and the parasite be-
comes fully developed in 4 short time
sometimes in twenty-f0ur hours. 1t has
Indeed been known to spread over heId
with almost the SuddeuncSS OF summer
clond. Viewed under strongly magnify
ING glass, it is seen TO be a perfect plant
in itself, striking its roots into the stem
and exhibiting an external growth Ike the
minnie forms of some species of moss. 1t
is too soon, therefore, by from ten to twelve
or fourteen days, according 10 the season,
to look for the genuine rust; and whether
there will be any accession OF Il at all de-
ponds entirely on the weather. AT present
the prospect for a good crop is as fair as
ever, but in this case, as in human life, we
know not what day may bring forth.
II YOU will allow me, will further
state in this connection that the farmer,
in the very act of preparing for his crop OF
wheat, should have an eye 10 the result.
With a knowledge Of certain facts, tne
means should be adapted TO the end. lie
should select the earliest varieties ana
SOW in good time the land should be well
prepared, and such amount of tertiIlZing
material applied-evcn though 1t I've but
little-as can be afforded, in order to hasten
the maturity of the grain. It's believed that
no instance can be adduced in which the
old white and old red May wheat popu-
lar in former yearS-werc ever attacked by
the rust. They were always harvested by
the 10Th of June, and on rare occasions III
the last week in May; but they have long
since become extinct, purely from neglect
or want of skill in saving good seed, or
allowing mixture with other varieties. or
late years the harvest is seldom or never
commenced before the goth Of June, or
completed before the lSt of July. a man
has therefore only to exercise his reason
Ing faculty in moderate degree TO see
why it is that our crops are now 50 often
afflicted with the visitation Of rust.
The Ladies' Memorial Association met
this afternoon at Library Hall, and per-
tccted their arrangements for celebrating
their anniversary on the Sth Of next month.
SNOwDEN.