THE BARLEY CROP. 101 



species. There are several varieties in cultivation, pos- 

 sessing but very small characteristic differences between 

 them, with the exception of the naked varieties, in which 

 the grain separates from its palece or chaff in thrashing in 

 the same manner as wheat does, which, indeed, at first sight 

 it very much resembles. These different varieties are 

 preferred in different districts, owing to their real or sup- 

 posed suitability to the soil, the climate, or the markets 

 of the districts in which they are grown. Lawson 

 enumerates twenty -five as distinct varieties, cultivated 

 in different parts of the country. Of these the following 

 are the most esteemed : 



The Annat. This is a great favourite in some districts, 

 especially in the north. It was introduced, in 1830, by 

 Mr. Gorrie, of Annat Garden, whence its name. In some 

 districts it is even preferred to the Chevalier, the grain 

 being rounder and more plump, while the colour is quite 

 equal to it, and the skin equally fine. The straw is stout 

 and tall, and possesses a characteristic pinkish colour im- 

 mediately below the ear when it approaches maturity. 

 This colour more or less disappears when the grain is cut, 

 and been exposed to the air a few days. The awns are 

 easily separated by the hummeller, and the sample is al- 

 ways clean and good. 



In some comparative experiments with the Chevalier 

 variety, and with the common bartey, j.t,, w,as , stated by 

 Mr. Gorrie to have been the best, both* sis 'to bulk OL. f crop 

 and period of ripening. The grain ^eighp^'^i Jhs^per 

 bushel more than the Chevalier, alid'it came to narvcst 

 fourteen days earlier. These results, however, do not ap- 

 pear to have been confirmed in other districts, where the 

 Chevalier has gradually superseded it. 



The Chevalier. This is the favourite variety in those 

 districts where barley is cultivated for malting purposes. 

 The ear is long, from fourteen to eighteen grains on a side ; 



