American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-10-10
BARLEY AS DRY FARM CROP
Success In Western States During the
Past Few Years Has Attracted
Much Attention.

by Fl. B. DERR. Agronom.st in Charge
of Barley Investigations, u. S. Depart
ment Of Agriculture.)
Barley has generally not been con-
sidered a dry land crop, but its sue
eess In the western states during the
past few years has attracted attention
10 Its possibilities for that purpose. In
the northern great plains and Rocky
mountain states, where corn is an un-
certain crop. barley will furnish IN
excellent feed for all kinds of farm
'nimals. This fact has already given
an impetus to the growing Of live
stock. especially hogs. throughout the
northwest In the Rocky mountain
and Pacific coast states hooded. or
heardless. bar ey has long been grown
Tor hay, OF which II furnishes an ex-
cellent and highly palatable crop. near
ly equal to alfalfa in feeding value.
In Utah. Idaho. eastern Colorado.
Kansas. Nebraska. Oklahoma and Tex
as farmers are beginning to realize
he advantages OF winter barley over
spring sovn barley as a grain crop
Winter barley. being fan sown. has
he advantage CT an early start IN
he spring and VIII frequently produce
1 crop where spring sown barley may
'ail At present there are but two
'orms Of winter barley grown in the
Fest. the square Tennessee winner
3rd the rouni-hes Utah winter The
efce Of grain Investigations. bureau
d plant industry. department Of az
tenlture has developed a number OF
9iher winter forms which we're dis
.ributed in 1911, and results Will be
watched with interest.
No single variety. either spring or
winter. seems to be adapted TO the
entire semi-arid reeiCn. Among the
@ inter forms. Tennessee winter. O
2eared s%iX-rowed barley. has SO far.
given best results. and Hannchen s
2eared two-ron ed spring barley. leads
N yield in the Dakotas Among the
sixrowed spring forms Manchuria.
Gatami and Odessa are the best.
among the hul'ees varieties Himalaya
Guy Maylel. Pack huness and Ne
cal { White hullessl. give the best
-esults.
With the exception Of sandy and
very alkaline land, barley can be
grown on a variety of soils. but the
hest results are generally secured on
The prairie or a%lluvial loan soils Bar.
Is a more certain crop on alkaline
soils than Is either wheat or oats.
The crop requires a mellow seed
ted. If the land is plowed It should be
narrowed 20 conserve the
moisture. In many localities best re-
suits are obtained when the land is
plowed and eft rough until spring
and then disked and narrowed Where
here is a tendency to blowing OF the
soil. granular soil is preferable TO the
iust mulch generally advised.
The yield and quality of barley are
In Influenced by the kind OF
seed The seed should be thor
cleaned and graded before sow
Large. plump seed will produce
strong plants. which. In the struggle
or existence that always follows seed
ng dry land crops. will be more likely
o survive than will plants produced
rom small. shrunken seeds.
The tanning mill should be found on
farm. but when not available
simple yet highly effective method
or cleaning and grading the seed is
o immerse 1t In a tub Of water ard
'tir thoroughly. All the light. chahy
md diseased grains. as well as the
anger portion OF wild oats and other
weed seeds. Will come to the surface
md ear be SKINNED on and burned.
I the seed was smutted, adding form
lin al the rate OF one pound TO 40
of water will be found effec-
in preventing its further propa-