BARLEY 89 



Eosin itself, in quantities present in the material under consideration, 

 is not poisonous, but may become so when combined with the effects of 

 intense Hght. Eosin belongs to a group of photo-dynamic substances 

 which influence the effects of light on albuminous bodies (light sensitiza- 

 tion). In light sensitization very small amounts of sensitizing agents 

 are required to bring about catastrophic effects, especially when the 

 light irritation has reached a certain intensity. Under stabling condi- 

 tions eosin is harmless, but it has produced serious results in animals 

 kept out of doors in the bright sun (inflammation and necrosis of the 

 skin, sunstroke, heatstroke, etc.). The author himself is of the opin- 

 ion that the objections raised against eosin-treated barley are not founded 

 upon strong evidence. 



Judging or grading. The grain weight of the large, two-rowed va- 

 rieties of barley is, on the average, 4.4 grams per 100 grains, and 2.4 to 

 5.6 (average 3.8) grams for the small, four and six rowed varieties. 

 One liter of barley weighs 500 to 700 (average 600) grams. 



Barley that has been rejected by distilleries is about the only kind 

 that is ever used for feeding animals in Germany, and this has frequently 

 been damaged by rain. Such grain can be recognized by its dull and un- 

 even color and the brown and blackish tips of the glumes. Musty odor 

 and bitter taste are indications of a spoiled condition. 



Among the common contaminations may be mentioned wind oats, rye, 

 wheat, oats, earth, parts of straw, seeds of weeds (vetches, brome, dodder 

 [C us cut a], corn cockle, spurge, morning glory), sand, mouse excrement, 

 bracts and scales of Compositae, parasitic fungi (Fusarium heterospor- 

 ium, Ustilago, Puccinia, Erysiphe), etc. 



Uses. While barley constitutes the chief concentrate feed for horses 

 in southern Europe and the Orient, it is used only to a limited extent in 

 Germany. While it gives the animals a fine external appearance (full 

 form and smooth hair coat), it does not furnish the energy and endur- 

 ance furnished by oats and is said to be more apt to cause colic and 

 diarrhea. If used at all in Germany, where it is usually cheaper than 

 oats, it is as a substitute for one-third to one-half of the oat ration. 

 According to Hendricks, this is a profitable substitute, and while animals 

 maintain their efficiency on such rations they also improve in general ap- 

 pearance. It is fed crushed or soaked in water and mixed with chaffed 

 straw or hay. Crushed and scalded, or made into a slop, it is an excel- 

 lent feed for run-down horses. 



Barley is better adapted as a feed for fattening cattle and milk cows, 

 crushed, dry or scalded. Its most extensive use is in the feeding of 

 swine. Barley is the best growing feed for swine over three months of 

 age. For younger pigs oats are preferable. It is an excellent feed for 

 fattening swine. For best results it should be rough ground and scalded. 

 As barley is a high-priced feed, potatoes are substituted for it wherever 

 practicable. 



