BURNT-GRAIN, a distemper incident to corn, and frequently confounded with the smut, though in its nature, very different from the latter. According to Duhamel, the husks, or external coverings of the grains in burnt ears, are, in general, tolerably sound, with this difference only, that when the seeds begin to ripen, they appear drier and more parched than those of the healthy ears. The skin, or bran, which forms the immediate covering of the grain, is not destroyed in this disease, as is the case in the smut: and the infected ears are less firm and consistent in their texture, than the sound ones: the husks of the former also become dry and whitish, in proportion to the increase of the distemper. The grains retain some degree of firmness, and if opened, are found to be full of a brownish substance, emitting a nauseous smell, and being unctuous to the touch.
The most effectual method of preventing a distemper, the cause of which is as little known as that of the smut, is first to wash the seed well in common water, and scum off all the damaged grains that float on the surface, then to steep it in brine, a strong ley of ashes, urine, &c.; lastly, to sprinkle it well with quick-lime, before it is sown.