304 On ip EE Wheat.[Nov.

the 16th of March. Those results I observe, are Supported by an experiment related by“ Farmer Sandy." Without further trials, however, it is a practice 1 would not pursue or recommend, more especially in autumnal Sowing; for the young and tender plant being Supported, for a considerable time after germination, by that milky substance into which the farinaceous part ofthe grain is converted for the early Support of vegetable life, the larger and more perfectthe grain Is, the more abundant will be that necessary Supply of food; and of course the more rapidly will the young plant attain to that vigorous State which will enable it to resist the inclemencies of winter weather.

Lam unable to perceive that Mr. Brightiey had the advan tage in the dispute on the Subject of Smut; and from the Sentiments of your correspondents, on ihe comparative im- portance of prevention, and the knowledge of causation, it is gratifying to have 80 much reason to believe ihat upon 2a division, I would not be left in a minority. AIl the metit I claim, however, is that of being guided by experience in preference to theory.

Experience has clearly proved the utility of pickling Seed wheat; but though the effect of this preparation is well known, the agricultor is unable Saltisfactorily to account either for'the advantages he receives from it, or for the cause

- of the disease for which it is a remedy. Experience has

Ükewise proved the fertilizing powers of dung, lime, ashes, and other manures; but the mere practical farmer is unable to account for their modus operandi. There Seems, then, a Strong analogy between these two cases., Practice is Successful in each, yet the causes are unknown; or in other words, we cannot Satisfactorily account for our Suc- cess. It cannot, therefore, excite Surprise if a great majority of practical husbandmen Should be of opinion that I was not “ unfortunate in adducing the latter. I admit, however, in JusSlice to C/ericus et Colonus, that from his own ideas rela- tive to tbeinutility of pickling, hisassertion is tenable. Those cultivators of the Soil who are perfectly gatisfied of the pow- ertul effects of manures, but who cannot perceive any ad- vantage in pickling Seed wbeat, would undoubtedly ay, with Your correspondent, that the case of manures,“ was most unfortunately adduced?* and certainly, under these cireum- Stances, the observation would be Just. The number of these cultivators, however, is, I am persuaded, very small; probably it would not include a greater proportion than two or three in every bundred in Great Britain.

Clerigus et Colonus asks“who ever produced any SalisfacC=