Sentence:  MALTING IN MUNICH. The barley is steeped till the acrospire, in embryo, or seed germ, seems to be quickened; ... As long however as the seed-gum sticks to the husk, it has not been steeped enough for exposure to the underground malt-floor: nor can deficient steeping be safely made up for afterwards by sprinkling the malt <WSD>couch</WSD> with a watering can, which is apt to render the malting irregular. ... It [the barley] is now taken out and laid on the <WSD>couch</WSD> floor, in a square heap, eight to ten inches high, and it is turned over morning and evening with dexterity, so as to throw the middle portion upon the top and bottom of the new made <WSD>couch</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A mass of steeped barley spread upon a floor to germinate, in malting; or the floor occupied by the barley.