30 BULLETIN 137, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
in the two samples was practically identical, while the diameters 
showed the greatest variations found within a variety. 
The weakness of all grain measurements is not in the variation 
but in the fact that the interval between varieties is not great. The 
total range of averages is not large, and while many selections may 
be distinguished, a great many more must remain inseparable be- 
cause of identical or nearly identical dimensions. 
WEIGHT OF THE KERNEL. 
The weight of 1,000 kernels is a determination that has been con- 
sidered indispensable in the appraisement of exhibition samples, 
and it is also a very useful record in plant breeding. From the 
nature of this factor it is to be expected that it will vary with con- 
ditions and culture, but usually the variations are more or less par- 
allel. In this investigation certain varieties have always been found 
relatively high and others relatively low in kernel weight, regardless 
of location or season. The character is, however, a varietal one and 
not often useful in separating related strains. 
COMPOSITION OF THE KERNEL. 
The varietal character of any barley, as far as composition is 
concerned, is subservient to climatic conditions. For example, if 
it is grown in California it will be much lower in nitrogen than if 
grown in Minnesota. The average differences in the composition 
of all varieties grown at two places is often greater than that be- 
tween the two most extreme varieties at either place. Despite this 
fact, there is an actual varietal tendency. The Svanhals is reported 
in Sweden to be relatively high in nitrogen for a 2-rowed barley, and 
it is also high in this country. Analyses of samples of California 
feed from many States in the West and in the Plains area showed 
that this variety was always lower in nitrogen than other 6-rowed 
forms. Le Clerc and Wahl (17) found that the average protein 
content for Bay Brewing from all points was 10.73 per cent, while 
for the ordinary 6-rowed variety it was 11.86 per cent. 
It is doubtful whether a factor with such wide and easily influ- 
enced limits can be made to be of assistance in the separation of 
strains, save in exceptional cases. It can, however, be used in the 
description of varieties, and may be of much importance in the 
selection of sorts adapted to satisfy market demands. 
PIGMENTATION. 
Color is one of the most easily determined characters of barley, 
but, unfortunately, it is also one of the most treacherous distinctions. 
The occurrence of pigments in certain cases and in certain tissues is 
undoubtedly hereditary and is transmitted unfailingly from genera- 
