l68 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. ril. 



mon bear have been sown on ground equally rich 

 and well prepared, the common bear produced 

 the bulkiest crop, both of straw and grain. But, be 

 this as it will, as the long-eared barley is unques- 

 tionably the superior, and consequently the most 

 marketable grain, it ought to be preferred, where- 

 ver the soil and climate are sufficiently favourable. 

 3. , Rammcl, or blended Bear. This is the long- 

 eared barley and common bear in a mixed state. 

 The cultivation of this mixture seems to have 

 been the first step of improvement upon the old 

 plan, in respect of the quality of the grain : and 

 this practice still continues in many places. It 

 deserves to be remarked that the long-eared bar- 

 ley and common bear, if mixed together, after 

 growing on separate rlelds, will not spring e- 

 qually, either when sown or made into malt ; 

 but that, after they have been cultivated for some 

 time in a mixed state,' there will, in these re- 

 spects, be no perceptible difference. The quali- 

 ty of this mixture seems to hold a middle place 

 between the barley and common bear, being su- 

 perior to the latter, but not so good as the for- 

 mer. This may be owing, perhaps, to the ap- 

 proximation of their different qualities, occasion- 

 ed by the mutual influence which the plants 

 may have upon one another from their conti- 

 guity, whilst growing and coming to maturity. 

 4. Siberian Barley. The ear of this kind is 

 formed like the long-eared barley, but the grain 

 has a husk like wheat or rye. It is said to mal- 

 ten well, and to be particularly proper for pot- 

 barley. This kind, is not cultivated in Fife to 

 any extent. 5. French Barky is likewise to. 



