Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-30
RUST IN WHEAT.

When the rust attacks only the leaves, lit
tie harm is done but when it is scattered over
the leaves and stalks and the weather be-
comes warm and moist, it grows rapidly and
quickly destroys the crop. AS earl y as 1767
Fontana published an account of the destruc-
tive pest and since then botanists have pur-
sued the investigation with much interest and
perseverance. 1t is now admitted by our
scientists to be microscopic fungus to which
the name of Puccinia graminus has been
given. 1t attacks both stems and leaves and
glumes of all kinds of grain, having at first
an orange celored appearance, resembling
the rust of iron, (hence the common name)
1t afterwards assumes deep chocolate color.
Each of the breathing pores of plant, it is
said, will produce from twenty to forty fungi,
and each Of them, it is believed, will produce
at least one hundred spores or reproductive
particles, so that the progeny of single
breathing pore' will be enough to infest
whole plant. The period of termination, is
supposed to be about one week. The spores,
being very light, are blown about in the air,
alighting upon adjacent stems, and germinate
under the influence of warm, damp weather,
proving more or less destructive according to
the favorableness of the weather for their
increase and growth. After the rust begins,
a complete arrest of the filling out of the
grain takes place. If the grains are in the
dough state when it begins, it is better then
to cut the wheat; if the grains are in the
milk state it will not be worth cutting. Cut
ting wheat while affected with rust, seems to
destroy the parasite, and what juices remain
in the straw 20 to fill out the grain. Good
wheat has been saved in this manner that
would have been worthless if left in the field
to get ripe. Rust rarely attacks wheat that
ripens early, hence it is better to SOW early
varieties, so it will mature before the hot
days aid in the development of the disease.
Plants have pores which are closed in dry
weather, and open and expand in warm, moist
weather thus the disease spreads more rap
idly in such weather. 1t is supposed that
these pores are made receptables of the spores
of this parasitic fungus, when they immedi-
ately take root, intercepting the nourishment
intended for the grain.
Some kinds of wheat are more affected
than others, and in northern climates fall
wheat suffers more than that sown in spring
Farmers in England affirm that wheat sown
in the neighborhood of the barberry bush
seldom escapes the blight, as it is supposed
that the spores are generated and preserved
on these bushes 1t is also believed that the
spores may be perpetuated by undecomposed
straw carried out into the fields as manure.
Here, as in all fungus diseases, thorough
drainage and cultivation, ear ly sowing and
early cutting, are the only remedies, except
for smut, for which We have blue stone. Salt
and lime sown on the ground has been sug-
gested as preventive, and being stimulant
to growth, no doubt act to advantage. A
distinguished German agriculturist states
"that about six hours before sowing his wheat,
be prepared steep of three measures of
powdered quick-liule. and ten measures of
cow urine, and poured two quarts of this on a
peck of wheat, stirring the wheat until every
grain was white with the preparation" BY
this he escaped rust entirely, although in
neighboring fields great part was affected
with the disease. He has followed the prac-
tice for many years with complete success 1t
is probable this stimulating mixture made
the growth of the plant so vigorous it escaped
by its own Inherent strength.
The Hebrews considered this disease a
special dispensation of Providence for the
sins of the people. The Romans sacrificed a
red bitch to the goddess Rubrgo to stay the
hand of the destroyer If this would effect
any good result would it not be good idea
to sacrifice few Of all colors2