GRAIN AND ITS CULTIVATION. 143 



The principal varieties are the two and six rowed ; the 

 last being preferred for hardiness and productiveness in Eu- 

 rope. The first is generally cultivated in this country, from its 

 superior fullness and freedom from smut. There are nume- 

 rous sub-varieties, such as the Hudson's Bay, which ripens 

 very early and bears abundantly ; the Chevalier and Provi- 

 dence, both accidental, of which a single stalk was first dis- 

 covered among others of the ordinary kinds, and proving su- 

 perior and of luxuriant growth, they were widely propagated ; 

 the Peruvian, Egyptian, and others. New varieties may 

 be produced by crossing, as with wheat. 



Soil. Barley requires a lighter soil than will grow good 

 wheat, and a heavier than will bear tolerable rye; but 

 in all cases it must be one that is well drained. A mellow 

 rich loam, ranging between light sand or gravel, and heavy 

 clay is best suited to it. 



Cultivation. It may be sown as soon as the ground is 

 sufficiently dry in spring, on a grass or a clover ley turned 

 over the preceding fall ; or it may follow a well-manured and 

 cleanly-hoed crop. If sown on a sod, it should be lightly 

 plowed in, but not so deep as to disturb the sod, and after- 

 wards harrowed or rolled. The soil must always be well pul- 

 verized. From \\ to 2 bushels per acre is the usual allow- 

 ance of seed, poor and mellow soils and early sown, requiring 

 the least. Barley ought never to follow the other white grains, 

 nor should they succeed each other, unless upon very rich 

 soil. No farmer can long depart from this rule, without seri- 

 ous detriment to his soil and crops. Barnyard manures must 

 never be applied directly to this grain, unless it be a light 

 dressing of compost on indifferent soils; or in moderate 

 quantity after the plants have commenced growing in spring. 

 When the plants are four or five inches high, rolling will be 

 of service if the ground is dry and not compact. This opera- 

 tion gives support to the roots, destroys insects, multiplies 

 seed-s.talks, and increases their vigor. 



Destroying Weeds in Grain. When grain is infested with 

 cockle, wild mustard or other weeds, they should be extirpat- 

 ed by hand before they are fairly in blossom. If neglected 

 till sometime after this, the seed is so well matured as to 

 , ripen after pulling, and if then thrown upon the ground, 

 they will defeat the effort for their removal. When too lux- 

 uriant, barley like rye, may be fed off for a few days, but not 

 too closely. 



The Harvesting of barley must be seasonably done. 



