MOEPHOLOGY OF THE BAELEY GEAIN, 29 



power will be most likely to succeed if they are directed separately 

 toward the foui- factors of efficiency, viz: (1) The shape of the grain, 

 (2) the size of the sciitellum, (3) the quality of the epithelial layer, 

 and (4) the vital energy of the mature grain. All of these factors but 

 the last are varietal characters. Fortunately, varieties of extreme 

 inferiority are for the most part already eliminated because of their 

 low yield. The only decidedly inferior ones often met with in actual 

 cultivation in Axaerica are certain Russian barleys with long, thin 

 grains, a few whiter varieties of similar character, and hooded sorts 

 that probably are abnormal in form because of the lack of the func- 

 tional activity of the beard. 



Among the varieties the normal qualities of which are desirable, 

 it not infrequently happens that the actual product is far from 

 perfect; for ideal shape is largely a matter of development, even in a 

 variety in which such is possible, and not only a matter of develop- 

 ment but of ideal development. If the conditions of soil and cultiva- 

 tion are satisfactory and the climate such as will allow a correct 

 maturation, the whole crop will consist of good, uniform seed. If 

 these conditions do not prevail, a faulty product will result. Soil and 

 cultivation are under the control of the farmer, at least to a limited 

 extent, and it is the neglect of these limited influences that is respon- 

 sible for much of the inferior barley produced. The English farmer 

 has a saying that "barley is a gentleman;" that is to say, if the ideals 

 of structiu-e in this grain and the delicately balanced physiological 

 functions based on structure are to be secured, barley, above all other 

 crops, can not be treated with indifference. 



The more general influences affecting adversely the cultivation of 

 the best grades of barley by the American farmer may be briefly 

 outlined as follows: (1) Overstimidation of purely vegetative growth 

 by improper soil and fertilization, (2) unfavorable climatic conditions 

 during the growing period, the factor which explains why the southern 

 limit of good barley cultivation in the Mississippi Valley is so far 

 north, and (.3) improper methods of harvesting and curing the barley 



It is probable that the part of the barley grain most quickly and 

 extensively Jiiodificd by changes in the conditions of cultivation is 

 that organ wliicli ocr-u])i('s so promijient a ])lace in these discussiojis — 

 the scutellujii oi- jiuiltijig organ. Under adverse conditions or when 

 vegetative dex ('l()])in('nt is ujuhfly accelerated, the scutelhun of even 

 the best jx-digiccd barleys does not retain its excellence. (See PI. 

 VIII.) '^riie difference between a barley having a good scutellum 

 and one having u poor scnfclluni is tlierefoi-e not thai, iho good ojie is 

 constajit, bijf tlnit nnder fuvorHl)le condil iojis il and it iiloju^ will ])rovo 

 to be superior. Xorniulity of d(!\('lo])ni('iit is the iiK^ans of uttainhig 



