GLEANINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1684, 21 April 1883, Page 4

GLEANINGS.

Rustoii Wheat. The yellow or, orange- colon red dust that forms on the loaves and sterna ojf wheat shortly before ."reaping time, is^ caused by a min^e fungus. , The fungus^ plant attacks' lno wheat 'som6'wei'lvs befoic it makes its appearance, and fills the interior substance of tbe]ea\es and stems with its fine , threads. These threads act as roots, i)y means of which the fungus or iust- plant obtains its noiujhhnient from the substance of the growing wheat planl. Tnere is no remedy for the rust after it has 'once a'ppeaicd upon the surface of the wheat. The moat effective preventive 'is bine vitriol or blue-stone (sulphate of copper), tu'd 'or three ounces of this salt to a bushel of wheat. This wheat' is soaked in the brine for a short time before sowing. There Has been much energy expended in the endeavour to find some \aiiety of wheat that is rust proof. Pro. Brewer, who has eliaige of the giain statistics in the Into Amuiican ccusu3, finds many districts viliem a vaiiety of wheat has spuing us, that for a year or so is almost rust proof; 'but afterwards it becomes infested the same as other sorts. As a precaution, it is well to burn the stubblo, thus destroying many spores that would otherwise germinate and continue the pest. Salt for Sheep. Salt for sheep is most invaluable. "Vciy many years ago (says a correspondent), I found one of my sheep resigned to die. If allowed its liberty it went and lay down in a ditch quietly to die appaicntly. I was young then, and was told by older and wiser men (?) that I could do nothing for this sheep. I resolved to try, and had it placed in a pen. I ti ied it with all manner of dainty food to no purpose. At length I offered it salt. Of this it partook greedily, and in three or four months waa fat and well, and sold to the butcher.