CHAPTER III 



RYE AND BARLEY 



Rye and barley are not more closely related than the 

 other small grains treated in this book, but they are 

 thrown together in one chapter because they are relatively 

 unimportant in the South. Rye is a cool-season crop, 

 whereas north of the cotton-belt barley is a warm-season 

 crop. Both are members of the grass family (Gramineoe) . 



I. RYE SECALE CEREALE 



Rye is an annual winter-growing grain. The acreage in 

 the South is very small compared with that of oats or wheat. 

 The chief use of rye in the South is for pastiu-age and for 

 soiUng (that is, to be used as cut green food). 



Other uses of various parts of the plant are the following : 

 The grain is used in the manufacture of alcoholic liquors ; 

 it is utihzed to a small extent in this country for himian food 

 a\jd as a food for live-stock. The straw commands a higher 

 price than that of any of the other small grains. Its prin- 

 cipal use is for bedding; for the manufacture of horse 

 collars ; and as packing material. Most of the rye grain 

 threshed in the Southern States is used as seed for the 

 succeeding crop. The rye plant makes hay of very poor 

 quality. 



68. Description. — The grain of rye, like that of wheat, has 

 no adhering hull after it has passed through the thresher. 



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