THE BAELEY CEOP. 119 



mixes up more effectually the manurial matter it contains. 1 

 Experiments have satisfied us how much the efficiency of all 

 manures depends upon the state of division and regularity 

 in which their particles are distributed through the soil. In 

 regard to barley, where, from any circumstances of cultiva- 

 tion, it is desirable to apply any special manures, we must 

 recollect that those of a nitrogenous character are to be 

 preferred, as they appear not only to act as direct manurial 

 food to the plant, but also, by their invigorating influence, 

 enable it to appropriate additional supplies of mineral food 

 from the soil. 2 



No thought is generally bestowed upon the preparation 

 of barley for seed, yet we find it more subject than even 

 wheat is to the attacks of one of those diseases already 

 described (p. 64), the Uredo segetum, or " Smut." How 

 far steeping the seed would be a remedy, we have no direct 

 evidence to show us. The spores are mostly dispersed over 

 the field before the corn is harvested, and therefore are not 

 likely to be attached in any quantity to the grain. Still 

 it is not a troublesome or expensive process, and if any 

 should adhere to the grain, they would be destroyed or 

 removed in the steep, which, at the same time, would pre- 

 vent the germination of any injured seeds (p. 67), and thus 

 at once prevent the chance of their sickly progeny. 



The time of sowing barley is the next point that claims 

 our attention. Here, of course, several modifying circum- 

 stances have to be considered, as soil, climate, variety of 

 barley, and the state of preparation of the farm. Barley 

 is a very rapid growing plant when placed under suitable 

 conditions; and we see it constantly being sown late in 

 the spring, long after the other cereals can be attempted 

 with any chance of success. On too many farms the late- 

 en the article "Barley" of the Cyclopedia of Agriculture, these points 

 will be found more fully discussed. 



2 See Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert's experiments in Roy. Agri. Soc. Jour., vol. 

 xviii. p. 493. 



