502 
Barley from a Maltster's Point of View. 
tlie results of the experiment, and an annual exhibition ot 
malting barleys was established in Copenhagen, when their com- 
mercial value was appraised by experts. It has been found, that 
in every case, out of seven or eight kinds of imported seeds, the 
" Chevalier " gave the most profitable returns to the farmer, and 
this has naturally led to its general adoption. 
The experiments in cultivation have also had an important 
influence. Early sowing was found to be most satisfactory, for 
the spring in Denmark is generally dry, and it was therefore 
desirable to get the seed into the ground while it. retained some 
of the winter moisture. As to harvesting, it was ascertained that 
the best time to cut was when the grain was fully matured and 
the ears began to droop. Useful hints, based on the experience 
gained, were also circulated among the gi'owers by the Society 
as to stacking, thrashing, and storing, and the practical result of 
the whole has been to revolutionise this branch of agriculture in 
Denmark, the annual money outlay, be it observed, amounting 
to no more than 300?. It is now estimated that one-third of 
the arable land in Denmark is devoted to barley culture, and 
the total yield is about 2,760,000 quarters. 
Having briefly referred to the various sources from which 
the maltster obtains his barley, let me describe what becomes of 
it after reaching his hands ; and it may fairly be said that, 
speaking generally, he has shown eagerness in adopting all the 
improvements in his processes that chemistry and mechanical 
science have been able to suggest, so that the modern practice 
of malting differs materially in its methods from that in vogue 
thirty years ago, though the principle of course remains the 
same. With all its faults and shortcomings, English barley 
is delivered in much cleaner condition than the bulk of the 
foreign, but even it requires considerable dressing and screening 
before it is fit for the steeping tanks, whilst as regards the 
Smyrna, South Russian, and some other Eastern barleys, they 
invariably contain an admixture of tares, seeds, and dirt which it 
is essential to remove. Hitherto agricultural implement makers 
have designed their screening machinery with a view to its 
being used upon English-grown barley, or at any rate for barley 
grown by farmers who take the trouble to keep their land clean 
and free from tares, and who use thrashing machines of some 
description or other. But it is otherwise with the Eastern 
barleys, and hence elaborate automatic screening machinery has 
been invented for tlie purpose. My firm erected such a plant 
last year in connection with our new maltings at Mistley, and 
as it does its work with wonderful precision and thoroughness, 
a brief notice will be of interest. 
