minute and volatile seeds may be said to be every where present, ready to produce their kind, wherever they may find a genial matrix. Such at least appears to be the nature of the fungus, or fungi, of wheat; for it may be liable to the attack of more than one species. In a warm dry summer, which is well known to be favourable to the health, vigour, and productiveness of the wheat crop, the seeds of fungi are harmless, so long as the fine weather continue. On the contrary, in a cold wet season which gives languor and weakness to the wheat plants, few crops escape entirely their destructive effects. A standing crop not unfrequently escapes, while plots that are lodged in the same field, especially in pits and hollow places, become liable to their attack. Even strong healthy crops may in a few days or perhaps in a few hours, be rendered liable to be assailed, not progressively, as by infectious disease, but at once, as by a blast or blight. In the state of the atmosphere we are to look for the cause of the disease in a standing crop; and nothing is so likely to bring on the fatal predisposition of the plants, as a succession of cold rains while the grain is forming. The coldness necessarily gives a check to the rich saccharine juices which are then rising towards the ear, and the moisture may, at the same time, assist the seeds of the fungi to germinate and take root." In support of his opinion, Mr. Marshall adduces the following facts. "In 1804 (a very dry season) the disease was almost universal in England, except in two counties. The cause of the disease, in the county in which he had the best opportunity of observing it (Caermenthshire) appeared very

evidently, to proceed from cold rains which fell about the middle of August. Before that time wheat crops in general looked healthy, and were beginning to change to a bright colour. But presently, after a few cold wet days, the malady became obvious to the naked eye.* The straw lost its smooth varnished surface, being occupied by innumerable specks, which changed in a few days, in less than a week, to a dark or blackish colour, giving the straw a dusky appearance. Another instance of the blight of wheat succeeding rain, was observed in the same county in 1794. Another equally obvious, in 1785, in the midland counties, as may be seen in the "Rural Economy" of that department, minute 74."

As early ripe crops, are least subject to the disease, Mr. Marshall recommends early sowing as a preventive. "Corn, (grain) he remarks, which ripens under the hot summer sun in July, is not so liable to cold chilling rains, as that which remains unmatured until the sun begins to loose its power, and the nights to increase in length and coolness." The truth of this theory is confirmed by what has occurred in our own country. The farmers in the fertile, but moist peninsula between the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, had suffered for many years so severely by mildew, from continuing to sow the old wheats which ripened late in July, or in August, that many of them ceased to cultivate wheat. At length the introduction of the "Isbell" or

[* In Pennsylvania, we observe that the disease almost constantly attacks grain, when frequent heavy fogs, or slight showers, are succeeded by dead calms and a hot sun, about the time of the grain filling.]

early wheat from Caroline county Virginia, which ripened the latter end of June or beginning of July, enabled them to resume the cultivation of that species of grain.

To prevent the extension of the evil in the crop, when once it has made its appearance, Mr. Marshall strongly urges the propriety of "cutting the grain so soon as we perceive it struck therewith; it may lie he says, on the stubble until the straw be firm and crisp enough to set up in sheaves, without adhering to the binding places; allowing it to remain in the field, until the grain shall have received the nutriment which the straw may be able to impart. Where wheat, he says, has been grown on lammas land, and the ground to be cleared by the first of August, he has known crops cut green as grass, and to be carried and spread upon grass land to dry. Yet the grain has been found to mature, and always to afford a fine skinned beautiful sample. Ray grass that is cut even while in blossom, is well known to mature its seeds with the sap that is lodged in the stems. Hence there is nothing to fear from cutting wheat or other corn, before the straw be ripe.*"

"It may be asked, in what manner the remedy is thus effected. But to the practical farmer the fact is all that is required. If it shall appear, that the fungus of wheat requires a free supply of air to keep it alive, or in a state of health and vigour, the effects of cutting down

[* In confirmation of Mr. Marshall's theory it may be mentioned, that the ears of indian corn, will harden and dry, although the stalks be cut off three weeks before they are ripe, provided they be set up in shocks in the field, or along the fences.]

the crop will be explained. It will perhaps be found by experience, that the closer it is allowed to lie upon the ground, and the sooner it is bound up in sheaves, (provided the natural ascent of the sap to the ear be not thereby interrupted,) the more effectual and complete will be the remedy. Further, it may be suggested, on the evidence of attentive observation, that if wheat which has been attacked by this disease be suffered to remain in the field with the ears exposed, until it may have received the ameliorating influence of dews or moderate rain, (to soften, relax, and assist the natural rise of the sap) the more productive it will become." See minutes of agriculture, in Surrey. No. 4.

"And it may be added, that grain which is cut while under ripe, is less liable to be injured in the field by moist weather, than that which has stood until it be fully over ripe.*

* Marshall's Rural Economy of west of England.

[s]

On the Flax Husbandry of Ireland, from the Farmer's Magazine, printed at Edinburgh. Vol. 7.-1806.

Sir,

Having for several years been engaged in the culture of flax, I devoted a part of last summer, to a tour through the manufacturing districts of Ireland. Here that branch of husbandry, has long been established over a large extent of the country, and conducted with considerable success.

During my progress through Ireland, the several processes of steeping, drying, and skatching were in hand, and I think I found a peculiarity of management in these, sufficient to affect the success of the whole business, and to confer a decided superiority on the produce of an acre of flax in Ireland over that in Scotland, both in quantity and value.. It is no uncommon thing for a farmer, to sell a part of his lint on the foot, as it is termed, and for this he will commonly receive from thirty to forty guineas per acre.

1. The method of steeping. As soon as the crop has attained the proper degree of ripeness, the flax is pulled, and carried to a stagnant pool, dug for the purpose moderately deep. It is allowed to remain there only from five to seven days, according to the temperature of the weather. After the fermentation in the steeping process has been carried to a degree sufficient to produce the requisite laxity of fibre, the flax is taken out of the pool, and spread very thinly, on the stubble of the hay meadow. There, instead of remaining till it is merely dried, it is continued for three or four weeks,