
A VARIETY DEVELOPED ESPECIA 
Calhoun Barley is a new variety recently released by this Company in 
response to a demand for a barley variety which had the ability to stand 
erect, without shattering or lodging, until dead ripe. As a crop, barley 
usually has straw inherently weaker than that of the other grains, which 
was a serious disadvantage. We have for a long time sought some variety 
which had the combination of good stiff straw and other desirable char- 
acters in addition. The grower who relies upon a combine for harvesting 
must have such a variety if large acreages are to be successfully handled. 
Mr. J. W. Taylor, Senior Agronomist in the Division of Cereal Crops, 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, supplied us with a number of his hybrid 
lines in 1940, including the line from which Calhoun was later selected. 
It was at once evident that this particular line had remarkable straw 
qualities. Later testing has demonstrated its excellent yielding qualities 
also. Calhoun led the 1946 variety test at Clemson College, and also was 
highest in the tests in Virginia and Alabama. We take this opportunity to 
acknowledge the cooperation of Mr. Taylor and the Federal Department 
of Agriculture, for making available to Southern growers this fine barley 
variety. 
On lands of high fertility, where lodging due to rank stalk growth has 
occurred with other varieties of barley, Calhoun will be particularly well 
adapted. Calhoun normally has a relatively short straw, but on better soil 
it will attain full height. Adequate fertilization at planting, and spring 
topdressing with nitrogen carriers, will give profitable returns. Unreason- 
ably heavy applications of soluble nitrogen will cause weakness of straw 
in any variety of any of the cereal grains. We recommend shallow seeding 
at the rate of 114 to 2 bushels per acre. 
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