306 On Sibertan Wheat.[Xov.

erops, from ralher Small and 5omewhat Shbrivelled grain, have not, after Severe winters, been quite 80 close„upon the ground, as those from the best formed plump Seed; yet there is 00 good reason for concluding that the quality ot the grain,(in the former case,) has been imjured merely by the defect of that om which it wasraized. Ov the contra- ry, do we not always obszerve, that, when the Seasons are favourable, the graim from Such wall, and notperfect)y for» med Seed, is plump and of a fine quality. Here we perceive results very different from those which are found after 80W- ing wheat, that has been discoloured by the powder of smut- balls. Even under ihe common practice of pickling, the produce of Such Seed 1s much smutted.

From the vegetable, I must now glance at the animal kingdom. There we find that bulls and rams, of the largest and most handsome breeds, are prevented from attaining to tbeir natural Size, aud even forms, by discase, unfavour- able climates, Severity of Season, or a SCcanty Supply of nutricious food. We do not find, however, Lhat their pro- geny, when reared under propitious circumstances, are of a Small Size or tl] formed.

On the other hand, we See that some animal disorders, especially in the human race, descend from parents to part of their offspring, through successive generations. Ja0S7 then, we have a Striking analogy, between certain produc- tions in two of the kingdoms of nature. Smut in the one, may be classed with hereditary diSeases in the other. Both, it Seems highly probable, arise from Seminal faint; and upon this bypothesis, the practice of the husbandman, in attempt- ing to clear his Seed wheat from impurity and infection, Seems perfectly rational.

Perhaps accurate experiments are wanting to prove whe- iher infection is communicated from whole smut-balls to Sound grains, by jJuxta-posit'on. On this point, Mr. Wag Stafl's experiment(page 176 of your 74th No.) is not decisive; for the husks, or cups, would prevent the Sound grains used in that trial from touching those which were smutted, though both were produced in the 5ame ear:w7. 1 am of opinion that the black powder only is infectious; and of course that the infection cannot be communicated to Sound grains till the Smut-balls are broken. The particles of Smut are very minule, and I am Satisfied that wheat is often in«

7* The prolific nature of the 80und grains, which, in Mr. W.'s experiment, were taken from cars mostly smutted, cannot, I think, be imputed to any other circumstance, but the ears having been oi a more valuable variety than any other cultivated in his disStrict,.