358 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



Within this country, California produces the most barley 

 (about 40 million bushels in 1911), and the other barley-pro- 

 ducing states come in the following order : Minnesota, North 

 Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington, 

 Idaho, and South Dakota. It is evident 

 that the production of barley is not re- 

 stricted by suitable conditions, but by lack 

 of general interest (Fig. 34). 



61. Cultivation of barley. Barley is 

 also a cereal of very ancient cultivation, 

 and has been found in its original wild 

 state in western Asia (Fig. 35) . Its range 

 of cultivation is very great, extending far- 

 ther north than the usual range of wheat, 

 and extending southward into tropical 

 conditions. It also grows quickly, and 

 therefore can be used in regions of short 

 growing seasons. 



The soil conditions and preparation are 

 approximately the same as for wheat. 

 Most of our barley, at least in the northern 

 states, is sown in the spring. Barley is a 

 little more sensitive to cold than wheat, so 

 that in regions where wheat, oats, and bar- 

 ley are grown, the order of planting is first 

 spring wheat, then barley, and finally oats. 

 The methods of sowing (broadcast and 

 drill) are the same as for wheat. 

 FlG in 3 g 5 g7nerl r i e h^t^f The cultivation of winter barley is in- 

 piant and character creasing rapidly, because it gives a better 



of spike. . . . . 



yield than spring barley, and is a more 

 certain crop. At present its cultivation is chiefly in the 

 states south of the Ohio and Platte rivers and those west of 

 the Rocky Mountains. The Department of Agriculture has 

 indicated those states in which only spring barley can be 



