98 FALLOWIXG. 



which cattle do well, and horses arrive at their greatest 

 possible perlectioQ. 



Though not so nice in relation to soil, as either wheat 

 or rye, still barley prefers a loose, warm and moist 

 (not wet) soil, and even grows remarkably v/ell in a 

 sandy one, in succession to suitable crops. It requires a 

 soil in good condition, and, like many other crops, turns 

 to poor account when sown on such as are poor. 



Mr. Deane found it to answer well in a clayey soil, 

 that was scarcely fit for any other grain. It is well cal- 

 culated for New England, bearing drought well, and gen- 

 erally 3 ielding a good crop. 



About two and a half bushels, is a suitable quantity 

 for an acre. It receives essential benefit from being 

 soaked in lye, brine, the black water taken from a re- 

 servoir in the barn-yard, or some other fertilizing li- 

 quor. Adding some saltpetre to the liquor in v/hich it is 

 soaked, may prove of great service. All the oats and 

 poor seed that rise to the top of the water, should be 

 skimmed off. To prevent it from degenerating, the 

 seed should be frequently changed. To change the 

 kind, may also be advantageous. 



The ground should have two ploughings at least. 

 As the roots of barley extend deep, the ground should 

 be mellowed at least six inches. It should be covered 

 Avith a short toothed harrow, and then a roller passed 

 ever it, which, besides other advantages, makes it tiiier 

 into numerous stalks. Sea weed is an excellent manure 

 for this grain. 



It should be sown as early as the ground will permit, 

 and immediately after ploughing, while the ground is 

 moist. 



If the blade grows rank, mowing is better than feed- 

 ing with sheep; for the sheep, by biting lotv, injure its 

 future growth. 



Barley is ripe, when the red color on the ear is gone 

 off, or when the ears fall down against the straw, and 

 the stalks have lost their verdure. No grain perhaps 

 requires more ripening ; and it is not apt to shatter out 

 when very ripe. By lying a night or two in the devr 

 after it is cut, it is supposed the beards will come off 

 easier. If it is full of weeds, it must lie in the sw^rlh 

 kli they are dry. It should be threshed soon after har- 



