SMUT IN GRAIN. Smut is a fungus, or parasite, destroying or replacing, where it devel ops, the organs in which it is developed. The seeds (spores) are exceedingly minute, and can not be recognized singly, except under a consid erable magnifying power. It attacks the leaves and stems of plants, of all the grains, but is. especially destructive to the seed itself ; and seemingly develops preferably in oats, barley, and Indian corn, but is not so much dreaded in Indian corn, by the farmer, since smutty ears of corn may be easily thrown out. In barley it is separated by washing before malting, so that only in our bread grains are means usually taken to prevent its ravages. There is no conclusive evidence to show that the various cornpounds used for soaking wheat actually kill the smut. On the other hand, evidence would seem to. show that any wash strong enough to kill smut (uredo) will also destroy the vitality of grain. The probability is, rather, that, as smut germinates quickly, the soaking and subsequent liming gives the proper impetus to germinate them, and the lime forming a proper nidus, material growth ensues; and, subsequently, having no proper substance to sustain itself, it perishes before the smut is enabled to seize the growing plant. Klippart mentions placino. smut balls in a solution of nitrate of potash, difute nitric acid, sulphate of iron, of copper, and of zinc, and even in dilute sulphuric acid. The smut so treated invariably manifested undoubted signs of vitality when surrounded by proper condi tions. Therefore, it is not safe to simply mois
ten wheat with lime or other washes. The simplest and surest plan, to prevent smut in wheat, is to make a solution by using one pound of blue vitriol (sulphate of copper) to every two gallons of water. Make a sufficient quan tity so it may stand above the wheat. Stir the whole to allow the light material to rise. Skim, and at the end of an hour spread the wheat on a dry floor, and sprinkle with quick lime, pre viously so slaked with chamber lye as to leave the lime in powder. So continue until you have all the wheat treated. In this state it may be heaped and remain several days bcfore sowing, if the heap be occasionally turned. If the wheat remains damp, it must be still further dried before sowing, if it is to be drilled, so it will pass easily from the drill. Many farmers use brine. Iu this case the solution should not be stronger than a pound of salt to the gallon of water. Proceed as before directed, and dry with lime. Some persons claim good success by sprinkling the wheat with a solution of five pounds of blue vitriol to six gallons of water, using this quantity for twenty bushels of wheat, turning the same until every grain is moistened, and sowing without further trouble. The way we have indicated is the surest, and in the end the cheapest, since the liquor can be used over and over again until exhausted.