496 Barley from a Maltster's Point of View. 
light sandy land, at others good mixed soils, or in a dry year 
even deep clays, mil yield the best harvest of barley. And a 
change of seed from heavy to light land and vice versa, has 
often proved beneficial ; but the condition of the land is of con- 
sequence. 
There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that it is not 
necessary to manure for barley, unless indeed the land be in an 
exceptionally impoverished state, and that the effect of artificial 
manure is to produce a heavier crop of straw, but not to improve 
the grain. Barley generally does best as the succeeding crop 
to wheat or roots, especially if the land has been ■well manured 
for them, and under such circumstances nothing is gained by 
manuring for barley itself. The practice of sowing barley in 
the autumn does not seem to be warranted by results, for the 
crop is generally moderate as to quantity, and there is no cer- 
tainty of any appreciable advantage as to quality. But it should 
be sown as early as possible in the spring — that is, directly the 
ground is dry enough to be well pulverised — and care should be 
taken not to put in too much seed, say not exceeding two to two 
and a half bushels to the acre, for the grain is sure to be poor 
if the 'plants are too thick. It has often proved a great mis- 
take to sow seeds along with barley, as is commonly done in 
many districts, for in a wet season the clover gets as strong as 
the barley, and is pretty certain to spoil its colour either in the 
field or in the stack. As good a layer of seed is secured by 
drilling after the barley is above ground, and then at harvest- 
time there is no undergi'owth to contend with. 
These are of course controversial questions in practical 
farming about which I do not presume to speak dogmatically, 
not being a farmer myself ; and hence I have relied chiefly on 
recognised authorities with whom I have been in communication, 
including Mr. Amis Hempson, of Eamsey, Essex, Mr. Edward 
Catchpole, of Kelvedon, and others whose courteous assistance I 
desire to acknowledge. But a maltster's views may be held to 
have some weight in regard to the operations of harvesting, 
dressing, &c., because they materially affect the condition and 
the value of the barley. It too often happens that the farmer's 
convenience, and not the fitness of the barley, is the predominant 
factor in determining when it shall be cut. Indeed, many 
farmers do not hesitate to say that it is immaterial whether the 
grain is ripe when it is cut, for, if not, a few days in the field 
before carrying it to the stack or the barn will suffice to mature 
it. I am convinced that this is altogether a mistake so far as 
barley for malting purposes is concerned. It should be allowed 
to ripen thoroughly before the scythe is put in, for thus only can 
