458 



On the Management of Barley. 



returns with, a deeper, leaving a small balk, and turning it over 

 so as to leave a complete ridge ; when this has been exposed to 

 the atmospheric changes for some weeks, an opportunity of dry 

 weather is taken to reverse these ridges and expose the inside to 

 the weather. It thus remains till seed-time, when a skeleton 

 plough is used to split open the ridges ; it is then well harrowed, 

 and levelled as much as possible. The drill follows imme- 

 diately ; and if the above operations are performed properly 

 in dry weather, an admirable seed-bed will generally be the 

 result. 



There are, however, objections to the above mode which ought 

 to be stated. It is most difficult to make the land completely 

 level : and hence, particularly in a dry season, the furrows show 

 themselves in the growing crop, which always looks much stronger 

 and healthier in alternate rows all through the field. This is 

 more seen in the early part of the season, but it cannot be 

 doubted that it must operate unfavourably upon the yield when 

 the time of cutting arrives. 



The usual time of sowing may be said to extend from the 

 middle of March to the end of April, although the two first weeks 

 of the latter month are generally considered, in average seasons, 

 the most favourable. Upon some of the stronger and more back- 

 ward soils, barley is sometimes sown early in March, and, pro- 

 vided the land works well, undoubtedly the quality is improved 

 by early sowing ; but it is generally thought that the quantity is 

 somewhat diminished. The old common barley is now but little 

 sown in Norfolk. Within the last few years Chevalier has 

 become very general. " The Brewers' Delight" is almost, if not 

 quite, equal to Chevalier for malting purposes, grows stiffer in 

 the straw, and is gradually coming into use. The Nottingham 

 long-ear is a great favourite with some, while others prefer Ame- 

 rican barley. Another variety, obtained from Leghorn, has 

 lately been introduced, and it is favourably spoken of by the 

 maltsters, but experience has not yet tested its productive qualities. 

 Chevalier, however, is still grown by many, and when care is 

 observed to change the seed, by taking it from a different locality, 

 I believe few kinds will be found to equal it. 



Having now described the different systems pursued in some 

 of the most important barley-growing districts, I shall, in con- 

 elusion, make a few observations, founded on experience and 

 personal observation. 



It has before been noticed how much depends upon the way in 

 which the land is treated in the first instance, not only as to the 

 mode of performing the work, but also as to the weather in which 

 that work is performed. It is no uncommon occurrence to see 



