THE BARLEY CROP. 117 



the same mechanical conditions in the soil for the recep- 

 tion of the barley seed. In the Journal of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society, vol. xviii., the paper by Messrs. 

 Lawes and Gilbert, " On the growth of barley by different 

 manures, continuously on the same land; and on the 

 position of the crop in rotation/' giving full details of an 

 elaborate series of experiments, will amply repay perusal. 



The different varieties of barley enable the farmer to 

 select that which is the most suitable for his purpose. In 

 light soils of good quality the Chevalier is probably the 

 most remunerative ; where the soil is strong, or in late or 

 ungenial districts, some of the coarser varieties frequently 

 give a better return. 1 And where the object is to grow 

 for home consumption only, the naked Peruvian or the 

 black four-rowed barley yields the largest amount of avail- 

 able food. 



The same care should be taken in the selection of seed 

 barley as recommended (p. 19) for seed wheat that the 

 grain be of the best quality, fully matured, perfectly free 

 from injury, and true to its variety. All these points 

 deserve and would repay far more consideration and care 

 than are usually bestowed upon them. A regular change 

 of seed, too, is strongly advised. The author of the prize 

 essay, 2 "On the Management of Barley/' thus forcibly 

 advocates it " I am a very strong advocate for a constant 

 and judicious change of seed; and although it may be 

 sometimes expensive to obtain it from a great distance, I 

 believe it will generally repay the cost by an increase of 

 produce and an improvement of quality. A few years ago 

 a very strong instance, confirming my opinion in this 

 respect, came under my observation, on two adjoining 

 farms in a barley-growing district, both much alike as to 

 quality of soil, the occupier of No. 1 being in the habit of 



1 See results of comparative experiments with different varieties of barley. 

 High. Soc. Trans, for 1851, p. 519; 1853, p. 179, 482. 



2 Roy. Agri. Soc. Jour., vol. x. p. 461. 



