AGRICULTURE. 167 
how dry or barren the soil, and grows up in a dense mass of 
tuick leaves,*six feet high and from five to ten feet wide. It 
is covered with thorns, and is feared by all large animals, but 
spermophiles and gophers are fond of burrowing under it, 
for it protects them against their enemies, and its leaves fur- 
nish them with food. 
Several machines have been made to cut ditches through the 
tules, and throw the dirt up as an embankment on one side, 
but none of them have been very successful; and the spade is 
still considered the best instrument for making fences in the 
tules. 
§ 135. Barley.—The soil and climate of California appear to 
be particularly favorable to the growth of barley, which forms 
alarger proportion of agricultural produce here than in any 
other part of the world. It is a hardy grain, preferring a sandy 
or gravelly soil, and dry weather. Three kinds are grown in 
California—the common, the Nepaul, and the chevalier. Only 
a few acres of the Nepaul have been raised, as an experiment; 
the chevalier is cultivated to a small extent, and chiefly for 
pearl-barley, of which a little is made in the country. The 
yield of the chevalier is from ten to twenty per cent. less than 
that of the common barley. ‘ 
The sowing commences with the first heavy rain, which 
comes in some years as early as the first of November, and 
continues to the first of April. The ground used for small 
grain bakes hard daring the heat and drought of summer and 
autumn; and ploughing is not possible until the rain comes, 
and rain enough to wet the earth thoroughly, at least six 
inches deep. The ploughs are then set to work immediately, 
running from four to eight inches deep. One ploughing is 
usually considered sufficient. The grain is sown according to 
convenience, soon after the ploughing, or after the lapse of 
weeks, and is immediately harrowed in. The amount of seed 
sown to the acre varies from a bushel and a half to two bush- 
els. The sowing is usually done broadcast, but some farmers 
prefer the drill. Early sewing gives the best yield, if the winter 
