298 THE AMERICAN FARMER, 



well to his fellow-man will ever raise this grain for such a purpose, however remunerative 

 such a course may be. 



There are three leading varieties of this grain, viz., the two, four, and six-rowed barley, 

 besides several sub- varieties, which are the result of modifications of the soil, climate, and 

 cultivation. Those most commonly cultivated in this country are the two-rowed and 

 six-rowed; the former can be raised in land less rich than the latter, and is thought to 

 be the most reliable for a moderate yield; but if the soil is just suited to it, the season 

 and other conditions favorable, the six-rowed barley will yield the most, while a failure 

 of the latter crop is usually more complete a failure than the two-rowed. The six- 

 rowed ripens a few days earlier than the other variety, and requires harvesting in many 

 localities at the time wheat does, which is thought to be something of a disadvantage to 

 extensive wheat-growers, as no crop suffers more from neglect in harvesting just at the 

 time it is ready for cutting than barley. The two-rowed has the largest grains, the six-rowed 

 next, and the four-rowed the smallest. 



The early ripening of barley renders it a good fallow crop to precede wheat, as it enables 

 the farmer to plow two or three weeks earlier than he could after oats, and get the land in 

 much better condition than would be possible where the plowing was late. Like some other 

 cereals, certain kinds of this grain have been so modified that they are regarded as winter 

 and spring varieties. The winter varieties are not as hardy as winter wheat, consequently we 

 would not advise their cultivation north of 38 or 39. New varieties may be produced by 

 crossing, as with wheat and other grains. A species sometimes known as &quot; German rice &quot; is 

 much valued and cultivated in Germany. The straw of barley is very hard and coarse, and 

 of little value as food for stock. 



Cultivation. Barley thrives best in a warm, friable soil, rather rich, but less so than 

 for wheat, and neither too light nor too heavy. It is important that the land be quite 

 uniform in fertility, or the grain will ripen unevenly, to the deterioration of the crop. 

 It should never be sown on a cold or wet soil of any kind, a well-drained loam being the best. 

 This will admit of early preparation as it is very essential that it should be sown early 

 and such land will perfect a good crop, if the season is at all favorable. It should by no 

 means ever be sown on a very sandy soil, or any that is easily affected by drouth, for if the 

 land becomes quite dry at the critical period of forming the head, both the quality and 

 quantity will be greatly diminished. It will, however, endure more heat and drouth at this 

 period than either wheat or oats. The soil should be one that is free from weeds, or what is 

 termed a &quot;clean soil,&quot; and the tilth both fine and deep. 



&quot;Weeds are a great detriment to this crop; consequently no green farm manure should 

 be used for the land, and all vegetable or animal matter of any kind should first be well 

 decomposed and of the nature of humus before being applied. 



Commercial fertilizers are of special value to barley, and salt is frequently used with 

 good results. The latter is thought to promote the growth of the plant and hasten the full 

 development of the grain. It is well to put in the seed when the land is rather dry, and to 

 be deposited quite deep; if covered to the depth of four or five inches, or twice the ordinary 

 depth of sowing wheat, so much the better, in most soils. Good crops are often obtained 

 from an inverted sod, a clover sod being the best. 



It may follow in rotation corn, potatoes, turnips, or any of the hoed crops, but should 

 never follow wheat, rye, or oats, nor should two crops succeed each other, except the land be 

 very rich, and even then the practice is objectionable, as the quality of the grain is liable to 

 deteriorate, an evil to which barley is more subject than any other of the cereals, hence, it 

 will not bear careless or indifferent cultivation, and a frequent change of seed is desirable. 

 With spring varieties, early sowing and a finely-pulverized soil are very essential to success 

 with barley, while the winter grain will require a good start before cold weather. The seed 



