Small Grains 153 



are often made sick. The use of seed free from ergot is a pre- 

 ventive measure ; it is also advisable to plant some crops 

 other than rye for at least three years on land that has grown 

 rye badly affected by ergot. 



BARLEY 



82. Distribution and characteristics of barley. The chief 

 barley-producing countries are Russia, United States, Ger- 

 many, Austria-Hungary, and Japan. In the United States 

 about three-fourths of the crop is produced in California, 

 Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. 



Barley is similar to wheat in appearance. It has, however, 

 shorter stalks, broader leaves, and a different structure of the 

 spike. The spikelets are inclosed in the hulls, and these, except 

 in a variety known as hull-less, cling to the grain after it is 

 threshed. 



Two types of barley are common the six-rowed and the 

 two-rowed. In the six-rowed, there are six spikelets, each 

 producing a kernel, at every joint along the stem, thus making 

 six rows of grains up and down the head. In the two-rowed, 

 three spikelets are produced at each joint as in the six-rowed 

 type, but only one of the three produces a kernel. Thus there 

 are two rows of grains along the head. Barleys are also clas- 

 sified as bearded and beardless and as winter and spring vari- 

 eties. 



83. Uses of barley. About half of the barley grown in the 

 United States is used for making malt, a product employed in 

 the manufacture of beer and other malt liquors. Barley 

 makes a desirable feed for live-stock. In the Pacific Coast 

 States it is used largely for horse feed ; in the Central States 

 it is fed extensively to hogs, cattle, and sheep. When cut 

 before the beards become too thick, barley makes a very good 

 hay, and it is also frequently used as pasture for sheep and 

 swine. The grain is used as human food in the form of pearl 

 barley, barley meal, and barley flour. 



