454 



On the Management of Barley. 



state produced by the continual treading of the sheep is generally 

 broken up during the autumn and winter months by the plough, 

 and in this state the ground remains until the time of seed. 

 Scarifying and harrowing is the only additional preparation given 

 before the seed is sown or drilled ; which latter plan is now very 

 general, although there are some farmers in those districts who 

 still contend for the broadcast system. Unquestionably the more 

 the seed can be dispersed over the ground the better ; but the 

 difficulty of depositing it at an equal depth is the great objection; 

 for hence two or three growths are the result, entirely spoiling 

 the quality of the grain and involving much trouble and difficulty 

 at the time of harvesting. The drill, on the other hand, sows 

 exactly the same quantity throughout at an equal depth, and thus 

 all grows together and is ready for the scythe the same day. 

 The sowing season varies according to circumstances from the 

 middle of March to the end of April. The chief varieties of seed 

 are the old common barley, the Chevalier, and the Nottingham 

 long-ear. Chevalier is now more generally grown than it was, 

 although some contend that it does not produce so much per acre 

 as other varieties ; it is also more sought after by maltsters and 

 commands the highest price. On some of the rather strong clay 

 lands of the Midland counties it is not unusual to grow barley 

 after fallow. The land being left rather rough and cloddy in 

 the autumn, the seed is sown broadcast as early after February 

 as the weather will permit upon the stale furrow, and dragged or 

 scuffled in without any further preparation. Very good crops 

 too of barley are frequently grown upon this plan ; and for such 

 soils I very much doubt whether a better one could be adopted. 

 In some of the southern counties the turnip-land is ploughed up 

 as soon as it is dry, and then well worked twice with the scarifier 

 or drag-harrow, upon which the seed is drilled, at the rate of 

 about 3 bushels per acre. 



On all warm genial soils the sowing commences as early after 

 February as possible ; but on the colder lands it is thought 

 preferable to leave it until April, unless indeed they are very 

 rich, in which case the earlier the seed is sown the less will it be 

 laid. 



Generally speaking the common sort of barley is more usually 

 grown in the south ; the Nottingham long-ear is occasionally sown, 

 and so is the Chevalier, but the latter is somewhat out of favour in 

 some districts, as it is said not to produce sufficient quantity on 

 those soils. 



Hertfordshire is much celebrated for the quality of its barley, 

 and I believe the London brewers consider the malt made in 

 some parts of that county the best in the market. The finest 

 samples are grown in the light districts, which have generally a 



