318 CEREALS. 



took precedence of even wheat, and now, on the Continent, 

 it forms the staple bread of the poorer classes. It is eaten 

 as bread in parts of South Wales, and in the northern 

 countries of England, and on the Continent. 



Many writers say it is more nutritious than wheat. It is 

 extensively used to make into a soup or broth to distribute 

 from charitable institutions to the poor. The bread made 

 from it is blackish, and has a strong odor, disagreeable to 

 some persons. The Gladiators of Rome were fed upon this 

 black bread, under the impression that its therapeutic quali- 

 ties were such as to conduce to strength and endurance. It 

 must have been an ignorant deduction, however, as gluten 

 is the great strength producing principle of cereals and 

 wheat, as will be seen from the table above, is largely in 

 the ascendent in that ingredient, as compared with other 

 grains. Barley bread is unknown to America, except on 

 the prescription of a physician. 



As a food for animals, Barley enters largely into the cal- 

 culation of farmers. Not only is it fed to them as corn, 

 but the growing Barley is extensively employed to carry 

 stock through the winter, in place of other grasses. Sown 

 early in the fall, or even in August, it will afford a fine 

 pasturage through the entire winter, and not show any in- 

 jury in its productive capacity. It grows rapidly, and wil. 

 soon recover itself when relieved of stock. It bears pas 

 turing better than wheat, and yields far more than ryel 

 having more herbage. It can be used in this respect until 

 the 15th of March, or 1st of April, if the season is back-, 

 ward. 



From the first use of Barley, it has been employed as 

 food for stock. At first, it entered so largely into the food 

 of man, stock did not get a full supply, but after the later 

 introduction of wheat, the practice of giving it to the in- 

 ferior animals became general. The cavalry horses of Rome 

 were fed, on the long and tedious marches into the enemy 's 

 country, upon it, as the transportation was not so difficult 



