Hints regarding the agricultural state of the Netherlands, compared with that of Great Britain : and some obsevations on the means of diminishing the expense of growing corn; of preventing the mildew in wheat, the rot in sheep, and the introduction of other improvements into British agriculture / [Sir John Sinclair].

  • Sir John Sinclair, 1st Baronet
Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints regarding the agricultural state of the Netherlands, compared with that of Great Britain : and some obsevations on the means of diminishing the expense of growing corn; of preventing the mildew in wheat, the rot in sheep, and the introduction of other improvements into British agriculture / [Sir John Sinclair]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ XX Vi ] the earth, before it has been produced. Then it is that the blades of tufts already blown introduce themselves upon the stem: the plant of the smut may perish, yet its branches continue to vegetate there. I have said, that it is only at the moment of germina¬ tion, or soon afterwards, that the plant of smut is intro¬ duced into that of wheat. In fact, if one rubs with smut the stems and the ears of wheat already advanced, either none, or very little smutted grain will be produced: but on the other hand, if the smut is spread over the soil either after, or a little while before the wheat is sown, there will be a great quantity. This fact is likewise proved by other experiments. Thus it is now proved that smut is a plant destined to pass a part of its existence in wheat, and to nourish itself on the grain. It may be considered as an intestine plant, and may be compared in that respect to worms in the intestines of animals. After what has been said of smut, one can easily con¬ ceive that this malady is contagious, as has been long re« marked ; and in order that it may take place, it is neces¬ sary that its seeds should be scattered upon the grain of wheat, or upon the young plant, or well mixed with the soil, in which it is grown. But this contact alone with smut will not suffice. To spread the infection in greater quantity, it is necessary that the seeds should be dissemi¬ nated or separated, one fron\ the other ; and as they do not begin to vegetate unless the atmosphere has access to them, the contact of the air is absolutely necessary for their propagation. It has likewise been remarked that wheat, when very dry, if sprinkled with smut that is in a dry state, is not in general much smutted ; on the other hand, if the wheat is in a moist state, and the smut very fresh, few of the plants escape the disease. These